life stat mechanical cpr

life stat mechanical cpr

More importantly than anything, Michigan Instruments’ Life-Stat mechanical CPR device saves lives. In Farmdale, Ohio, Leonard Osborn went into cardiac arrest and didn’t have a heartbeat for 16 minutes.

Thankfully, Osborn’s family members contacted 911. Within minutes, he was hooked up to the Life-Stat from Michigan Instruments and survived.

The Life-Stat: Michigan Instruments’ Mechanical CPR Device

The Johnston Fire Department used funds from a Federal Emergency Management Agency grant to purchase two Life-Stat devices from Michigan Instruments. One of the first members of the fire department’s EMS crew to respond to Osborn’s emergency, Mary Kay Sly, said; ”It was amazing to see how it worked and to know how effective of a tool it is.”

The Life-Stat is a mechanical CPR device designed to deliver continuous chest compressions, with an option to ventilate, to a patient in a state of acute cardiac arrest. The Life-Stat is lightweight and easy to use. Additionally, the transition from manual CPR can be done with minimal interruption to compressions. 

Read more about Michigan Instruments CPR and the benefits.

How The Life-Stat Saved Osborn’s Life

The medical director for Johnson Township EMS, said mechanical CPR surpasses manual CPR (given by a person) because it can guarantee the rate, depth, and quality of the compressions. Plus, it gives the first responders the ability to complete other tasks because they are not administering CPR manually. 

“There is no way a person could keep up with the amount of compressions it often takes in a situation like this,” said Dr. Jeffery Bedlion, when asked about using mechanical CPR to save Osborn’s life. 

Osborn regained a spontaneous heartbeat while being transferred to the emergency room. According to Mary Kay Sly, this was about 16 minutes after he “clinically died.” Once arriving at the Warren hospital, Osborn was admitted to the intensive care unit where he underwent a cardiac procedure. 

Thankfully, Osborn was discharged only a few days later. Soon after, he and his wife visited the Johnson Township Fire Department to thank the crew that saved his life, to which Osborn said; “I owe them big.” 

Know The Signs of a Heart Attack

The American Heart Association (AHA) lists the following as the most common signs of a heart attack: 

  • Chest discomfort
    • In the center of the chest that lasts for more than a few minutes, or goes away and then returns. It can feel like pressure, squeezing, fullness, or pain. 
  • Discomfort in other areas of the upper body
    • Including one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw, or stomach.
  • Shortness of breath
    • With or without chest discomfort
  • Nausea 
    • Possibly cold sweat, or lightheadedness. 

Without early medical intervention and consistent compressions, someone suffering from a heart attack can suffer permanent damage or even death.

The Hands-Free CPR Solution

Michigan Instruments Automated CPR devices have saved countless lives and continue to improve first responders’ life-saving intervention. These devices provide high-quality, uninterrupted CPR no matter the circumstance. 

Interested in the Life-Stat or Thumper for your hospital or emergency service? Read more about the benefits and specs and request a quote for a device today.