Sandy Springs first metro fire department to use automated CPR

By April Hunt

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Sandy Springs Fire Rescue has become the region’s first department trained and using an automated CPR machine in emergencies.

The LUCAS machines provide chest compressions in situations to avoid rescuer fatigue or allow consistent compressions at times when an Emergency Medical Technician could not. For instance, the device allows for compressions while the patient is being moved up or down stairs or as the person is being moved into an emergency room.

Fire Chief Jack McElfish noted that the machine gives 100 compressions per minute, or the standard set by the American Medical Association.

“This has been shown to increase circulation to the brain and heart,” McElfish said. “It’s our goal to keep that standard going in a prehospital environment.”