September 29, 2020 at 5:34 p.m.
CPR assistance
JEMS gets compression systems
CPR assistance
Jay Emergency Medical Service purchased two LUCAS chest compression systems after approval from Jay County Commissioners two weeks ago. The machines, both valued at $14,000 apiece, were paid for using state COVID-19 funding.
Within a few days, the department received both systems. Jay County Commissioners got their first look at the machines in action during a demostration at their meeting Monday.
JEMS county training officer John McFarland explained that with this technology, less JEMS employees will need to be crowded in the ambulance at once to administer CPR.
Generally, paramedics switch roles after two minutes because of the strenuous work. Now, only a few workers will need to join for rides.
In addition, the technology gives patients equal compressions for up to 45 minutes on full battery. JEMS also has a spare battery for each unit, and it can be plugged in to continue running if necessary.
“It never gets tired, it doesn’t get COVID,” JEMS director Wesley Miller said at the commissioners meeting on Sept. 14.
The machine works with suction power, compressing the chest in rapid motions.
While the unit does not give oral resuscitation, JEMS does have a ventilator for this part of the CPR process. McFarland is hoping to purchase another with grants in the near future.
Jay County paramedic Kyle Gerlach noted it’s an important tool for JEMS to receive, even though needing to administer CPR is not something they hope to do.
“I mean, the goal is to never use it,” he said. “But, we know we will … just like everything we use. Our goal is to never have to use it. But if we do (need it), we have it available.”
McFarland has taken the CPR machine for demonstrations across the county. He’s asked all paramedics to complete the online training, which Gerlach estimated takes less than 20 minutes.
Paramedics also have to do an in-person training with McFarland before using the machine. He hopes to add the CPR unit to both the Portland and Dunkirk ambulance vehicles by the end of this week.
“We’re putting this in as soon as the guys are ready to go,” he said.
Within a few days, the department received both systems. Jay County Commissioners got their first look at the machines in action during a demostration at their meeting Monday.
JEMS county training officer John McFarland explained that with this technology, less JEMS employees will need to be crowded in the ambulance at once to administer CPR.
Generally, paramedics switch roles after two minutes because of the strenuous work. Now, only a few workers will need to join for rides.
In addition, the technology gives patients equal compressions for up to 45 minutes on full battery. JEMS also has a spare battery for each unit, and it can be plugged in to continue running if necessary.
“It never gets tired, it doesn’t get COVID,” JEMS director Wesley Miller said at the commissioners meeting on Sept. 14.
The machine works with suction power, compressing the chest in rapid motions.
While the unit does not give oral resuscitation, JEMS does have a ventilator for this part of the CPR process. McFarland is hoping to purchase another with grants in the near future.
Jay County paramedic Kyle Gerlach noted it’s an important tool for JEMS to receive, even though needing to administer CPR is not something they hope to do.
“I mean, the goal is to never use it,” he said. “But, we know we will … just like everything we use. Our goal is to never have to use it. But if we do (need it), we have it available.”
McFarland has taken the CPR machine for demonstrations across the county. He’s asked all paramedics to complete the online training, which Gerlach estimated takes less than 20 minutes.
Paramedics also have to do an in-person training with McFarland before using the machine. He hopes to add the CPR unit to both the Portland and Dunkirk ambulance vehicles by the end of this week.
“We’re putting this in as soon as the guys are ready to go,” he said.
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