Scar Free Virtual Reality Experience

Scar Free Ambassador and CASEVAC Club Member, Karl Hinett sustained 37% burns to his body during the conflict in Iraq when a Molotov cocktail was thrown into his tank while on patrol. Using VR technology, the Foundation has been able to bring to life the experience, recovery and journey Karl has faced.

‘Karl’s Story’ is an immersive 360 film in which Karl recounts how he was injured while serving in Basra and his long road to recovery. Viewed through a VR Headset, the film transports the viewer to a reconstruction of Karl’s tank while under attack and his treatment at Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Birmingham. The research work now underway at the Centre for Conflict Wound Research will shape the way conflict wounds are treated in the future. In the film, Karl meets researchers based at the Centre to hear more about the pioneering work underway.

Researchers at The Scar Free Foundation Centre for Conflict Wound Research are investigating the effect of laser treatment on historic scars and will also soon begin clinical trials of a battle-ready dressing which actively prevents scar formation. ‘Karl’s Story’ takes viewers ‘into the lab’ to meet our researchers and learn about the important work underway.

“Virtual Reality provides a unique experience and really brings to life the work we do and the stories of those we aim to help. We want to make our work more and more accessible, and while visiting our labs to see this work first hand may be difficult, VR allows us to bring the lab experience to the home or office, We believe it’s a great way to share our scar free mission even more widely.”

The Scar Free Foundation Chief Executive, Brendan Eley

We partnered with immersive design studio ‘Aug-it!’ (@augituk) to explore this exciting new medium. We would like to thank director & editor Michael Danks & Executive producer Ant Hagan for bringing the project to life. The Foundation would also like to thank all the staff at University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust and the University of Birmingham who made the film possible, to our Ambassador Karl Hinett without whom none of this would have been possible, and the support of our research partners and Ambassadors- the CASEVAC Club.