Excerpts from cbsnews.com:
New technology will help the Chicago Fire Department give a drowning victim a better chance of survival.
Firefighters showed off the AutoPulse Tuesday morning at Burnham Harbor. It automatically sizes to the patient’s chest, then performs CPR, squeezing to keep the blood flowing. This means firefighters can work on airway issues.
Assistant Deputy Commissioner of EMS Juan Hernandez said that someone who is a drowning victim has been deprived of oxygen to brain and heart. Once they are out of the water and on a boat, firefighters will start effective CPR. This device then begins effective CPR and this gives patients the best chance for survivability.
The AutoPulse is also helpful in small spaces like a boat and will keep providing CPR while a patient is being moved on a boat, down stairs or into an ambulance.
A grant paid for the units, which will be on fire rescue boats at the start of the season.
#1 by Mike D on May 2, 2022 - 7:34 AM
Thanks for your input Rich S…you couldn’t be more incorrect. If you think the devices were not all field tested on moving boats prior to our purchase you are very wrong. They will be an outstanding addition to the life saving equipment.
#2 by Matthew G on April 29, 2022 - 5:12 PM
Rich S. the Autopulse is more expensive than a LUCAS. As much as I love using the LUCAS, the Autopulse does function better if you have to use it in a near-seated or confined space. It’s not nearly as tall as the LUCAS.
#3 by hawks66 on April 29, 2022 - 1:51 PM
Rich, I’ve never used the Lucas so I can’t compare. However I found the auto-pulse to be a great tool and we have watched ROSC Greatly improve especially in Asystole. It is heavier and larger though so I’ll give that to Lucas however they say the band devices produce more cardiac output while compressing more circumference of the chest. There are some issues but not many. Overall happy with them
#4 by Rich S. on April 29, 2022 - 10:43 AM
Terrible choice especially for on a moving boat. Should have acquired the Lukas instead. This Autopulse is a cheap, touchy unit.