Influence of Automatic Compression Device and Water Rescue Equipment in Quality Lifesaving and Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation

Introduction

The purpose of this study was to analyse how the rescue equipment and the automatic compression mechanism influenced the cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) after a water rescue on the beach.

Methods

The sample of our research composed of a group of 65 lifeguards (51 men and 14 women). The lifeguards carried out a 5 minute CPR pretest. Afterwards, the sample was randomly divided into two groups. Both groups performed a test: a water rescue, and immediately afterwards 5 minutes of CPR. One group did not have any additional rescue material, while the other used flippers and a rescue tube to swim. The group with the rescue material performed a CPR with an automatic compression mechanism, the Lund University Cardiac Arrest System.

Results

The use of the automatic compression device improves the conditions in the correct compressions in CPR after a water rescue: (manual: 283±145.25; automatic: 352±119.74, p=0.042). There was no significant difference in the correct breathing (p=0.758). During the water rescue the lifeguards equipped with flippers and a rescue tube were faster (227±69.28 s) than the lifeguards who had not used any additional equipment (271±43.06 s, p=0.003).

Conclusion

The use of flippers and rescue tube improved the rescue time. The CPR quality when the lifeguard was exerted worsened significantly, but the use of the automatic mechanisms of compression improved the performance of quality chest compressions. This was not the case with the ventilations, these being of poor quality in both groups. (Hong Kong j.emerg.med. 2014;21:291-299)

Mapping the use of simulation in prehospital care - a literature review

Background

High energy trauma is rare and, as a result, training of prehospital care providers often takes place during the real situation, with the patient as the object for the learning process. Such training could instead be carried out in the context of simulation, out of danger for both patients and personnel. The aim of this study was to provide an overview of the development and foci of research on simulation in prehospital care practice.

Methods

An integrative literature review were used. Articles based on quantitative as well as qualitative research methods were included, resulting in a comprehensive overview of existing published research. For published articles to be included in the review, the focus of the article had to be prehospital care providers, in prehospital settings. Furthermore, included articles must target interventions that were carried out in a simulation context.

Results

The volume of published research is distributed between 1984- 2012 and across the regions North America, Europe, Oceania, Asia and Middle East. The simulation methods used were manikins, films, images or paper, live actors, animals and virtual reality. The staff categories focused upon were paramedics, emergency medical technicians (EMTs), medical doctors (MDs), nurse and fire fighters. The main topics of published research on simulation with prehospital care providers included: Intubation, Trauma care, Cardiac Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR), Ventilation and Triage.

Conclusion

Simulation were described as a positive training and education method for prehospital medical staff. It provides opportunities to train assessment, treatment and implementation of procedures and devices under realistic conditions. It is crucial that the staff are familiar with and trained on the identified topics, i.e., intubation, trauma care, CPR, ventilation and triage, which all, to a very large degree, constitute prehospital care. Simulation plays an integral role in this. The current state of prehospital care, which this review reveals, includes inadequate skills of prehospital staff regarding ventilation and CPR, on both children and adults, the lack of skills in paediatric resuscitation and the lack of knowledge in assessing and managing burns victims. These circumstances suggest critical areas for further training and research, at both local and global levels.