LUCAS CHEST COMPRESSION DEVICE

St. Tammany Fire Protection District No. 11 recently purchased and placed in to service a LUCAS Chest Compression Device. This device is a critical tool in assisting lifesaving efforts for patients who are in cardiac arrest. The LUCAS Chest Compression Device is designed to deliver uninterrupted chest compressions at a consistent rate and depth. This consistent rate and depth facilitates consistent blood flow as soon as it is attached to the patient and turned on which helps to improve a cardiac arrest patient’s chance for survival.

The LUCAS Chest Compression Device takes as little as 20 seconds to apply to the patient and helps to free up the hands of EMT’s and Paramedic’s to perform other functions when treating a patient. Rescuer’s, according to studies typically get fatigued after performing 2 minutes of manual chest compressions. As a rescuer becomes fatigued the quality of chest compressions begin to diminish greatly. The LUCAS Chest Compression Device will never become fatigued however, the device does has spare batteries or can be plugged in to deliver continuous compressions if the battery does run low.

All personnel at St. Tammany Fire Protection District No. 11 have received training on the appropriate use of the LUCAS Chest Compression Device. The LUCAS Chest Compression Device is placed in service on Engine 111 which runs out of Fire Station 111 located on Pine St. Extension. Engine 111 will respond with Medic 112 which operates out of Fire Station 112 on Hwy 3081 on all cardiac arrest calls as well as any calls that has the potential to be a cardiac arrest. Having the LUCAS Chest Compression Device on Engine 111 will always ensure that the LUCAS Chest Compression Device remains available within the fire district should Medic 112 be on another call.