Downey Fire Department launches hands-free CPR

Downey Fire Department personnel demonstrate a new hands-free CPR system that is supposed to be more effective than manual CPR. Photo by Alex Dominguez

DOWNEY - Hoping to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of its emergency care, the Downey Fire Department launched new, hands-free CPR equipment last week.

DFD recently showed off its new AutoPulse system to city staff, demonstrating how the apparatus could administer chest compressions more effectively than manual CPR.

“What this does that manual CPR doesn’t do is increase blood flow,” said DFD Captain Ivan Orloff. “Manual CPR, for instance, only produces 30% blood flow, where this AutoPulse will produce near-normal blood to a patient’s heart, brain, and vital organs.”

“We won’t take away manual CPR, because that needs to be done when we get on scene right away while this is being deployed.”

Once applied to a patient, AutoPulse will provide continuous compressions throughout the entirety of ambulance load and travel to the hospital. This will free up paramedic hands to delegate to other necessary tasks, while also allowing for easier transport and safer conditions for paramedics while riding in the back of an ambulance.

 “Our paramedics can delegate responsibilities to other important areas. That could be starting IV’s, defibrillating, intubating a patient,” said Orloff. “It will allow us to focus on other areas which is very, very nice.”

The device is intended for adult application, though bigger children or adult-sized teenagers may be able to benefit from its use as well.

Each AutoPulse unit costs $15,000. The department currently owns two, which have been deployed with the busiest ambulances in the department. According to Orloff, the goal is to hopefully secure funding within the next year to outfit the remaining two vehicles.