CPR devices on some SCDF ambulances

QX179R SG

PARAMEDICS from the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) can look forward to a device that will help them administer cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) to patients.

From next Monday, 14 of the SCDF's 36 emergency ambulances will each be equipped with a mechanical CPR device that can enhance the survival rate of those suffering a heart attack.

Paramedics currently administer CPR manually. A mechanical device can deliver more consistent and effective chest compressions.

The pilot programme was announced yesterday at the SCDF's headquarters in Ubi Avenue. It is the result of a collaborative effort between the SCDF, the National Resuscitation Council (NRC) and the Ministry of Home Affairs' Medical Advisory Committee. The group has been studying the mechanical CPR option for the past two years.

The device is imported from Sweden and costs about $25,000. If all goes well, the SCDF hopes to equip its remaining 22 ambulances with the device by next May. So far, about 500 staff have been trained to use it.

SCDF chief medical officer Poon Beng Hoong emphasised, though, that whether CPR is administered manually or mechanically, patients will receive the best care.

-- ST

sinicker SG

seeing the compression done by the machine... so scary!

QX179R SG

if it can revive the person then its well worth it..

snk86 SG

weird, our hospitals are so close to the ground that it takes a max 30min to get from somewhere to a hospital, don't make sense to have cardiac thumpers lah, unless traffic jam lah.

those things are pretty cool thou, doing CPR damn tiring one lei

kenn3th SG

If it's a heart attack, 10 minutes without CPR is enough to bring that person to the mortuary.

That's a great addition to the SCDF's inventory..

However. The scdf staff and personnel must continue to mantain it's competency in manual CPR and not be complacent due to machines..

QX179R SG

not really, let me cite an example with regards to before the KTPH was being constructed..

all ambulance calls at yishun, their nearest hospital would be at TTSH and do you have any idea how long the journey would take and it makes matters worse when the CTE gets jammed up or when motorists don't even bother to give way to emergency ambulances..

performing CPR is tiring yes which is why we always practice a 2-man CPR & when CPR is being performed in a moving ambulance, that's when the challenge comes in..