SWEMS is proud to announce that we are the first agency in our region to place in service a CPR Compression Device on our ambulance. The Defibtech ARM-XR provides continuous mechanical CPR on most patients. Studies have shown that uninterupted CPR gives patients the best chance at survival after a sudden cardiac arrest. Additionally, responders who perform CPR must change out often, usually after 3-4 minutes of CPR due to the amount of exertion needed to properly perform CPR. This device will alleviate that and improve our patient’s chances of survival.
This device cost almost $14,000 and was funded as additional equipment through the USDA Rural Development grant that was used to purchase A-14. Manufacturer delays calused this to be delivered later. This will be carried on A-14 due to contractual agreements with the USDA.
We also placed into service new Automated External Defibrillators, the Zoll AED 3 BLS. These new AEDs improve another aspect of our cardiac arrest response capabilities – they have a faster time to shock, utilizing “see through CPR” to reduce the analyze portion of CPR. This reduces necessary pauses in CPR. Additionally, these new AEDs have a compression sensor so that when we start CPR we will ensure proper depth and rate of compressions.
Being the only agency in our area with a CPR COmpression Device, we have offered to respond mutual aid to neighboring departments to bring this device to them and assist them on cardiac arrest calls.
