Chest compression device to enhance patient care

New equipment to provide uninterrupted chest compressions to patients being treated by the air ambulance team will "enhance" the care provided.

The equipment is designed to free up staff so they can focus on defibrillating the patient back to a pumping heart rhythm during a cardiac arrest.

The Schiller automated compression device was funded by the Henry Bloom Noble Healthcare Trust for the fixed-wing service, which transports inpatients to the UK for treatment.

Medical lead for the Isle of Man Air Ambulance Service said it was an an "exciting development" that would "enhance the care we are able to provide whilst transporting our patients".

The device can be used as the patient is being moved out of the aircraft and replaces the previous bulkier equipment, which the service said was harder for a lone member of staff to fit to an unconscious patient.

The equipment can now be kept in the aeroplane at all times due to its smaller size, the service said.

The coastguard helicopter, which is used by the service during poor weather and at night, already has one of the automated compression devices on-board.

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