10/07/2026
Would you use a blood with a realistic metallic smell?
I was recently sent a sample of metallic-scented blood for use in moulage and simulation.
As someone who is very sensitive to smells, I applied a little to a simulated wound on my hand and skin and instantly turned my stomach, the smell was pretty effective!
It got me thinking about the role of scent in simulation. Over the years, I’ve used scents in training before – burnt hair smells, sour vomit, and even pear drops to replicate the sweet, fruity smell sometimes associated with diabetic ketoacidosis.
The reactions they provoke are often immediate and very human, adding another layer of realism to a scenario.
But it also raises another question…
What does this mean for our standarised patients and end users, moulage specialists? We already ask a lot of them – makeup, moulage, emotional performances, physical effects and long training days. Could adding strong scents enhance realism, or might it become too much for those involved in delivering the simulation?
🩸 Do you, would you use scented effects in your simulations?
🩸 Have you used scents before, and what was the impact?
🩸 Do the benefits outweigh the potential drawbacks?
🩸 And how do we balance realism with the comfort and wellbeing of our simulated patients and participants?
So, I’d love to hear your thoughts, would you use a blood with a metallic smell?
