LUCAS™2 in Danish Search and Rescue Helicopters

• We reviewed 1,090 missions during a 24-month research period on the Danish search and rescue helicopters.
• LUCAS2 was used 25 times during resuscitations.
• Cardiac emergencies amounted for 25% percent of all missions.
• Mechanical chest compression devices are relevant on Danish search and rescue helicopters.

ObjectivePrehospital resuscitation is often challenging. Giving uninterrupted and effective compressions is relatively impossible during transportation. In 2012, The Royal Danish Air Force received a donation of 8 mechanical chest compression devices (LUCAS™2; Physio-Control/Jolife AB, Lund, Sweden) to be used onboard the Danish search and rescue (SAR) helicopters. The scope of this investigation was to establish whether or not mechanical chest compression devices should be considered a necessity onboard the Danish SAR helicopters.MethodsData were compiled from SAR medical journals. From the data collected, observations were made as to when LUCAS™2 was used and what diagnosis the SAR physician made.ResultsOne thousand ninety missions were registered in the 24-month research period, and LUCAS™2 was used in 25 missions. Cardiac emergencies amounted for 25% of the missions.ConclusionThe Danish SAR helicopters retrieved 33 drowned/hypothermic patients during the research period, and the LUCAS™2 was used in 11 of the patients requiring resuscitation. The LUCAS™2 was frequently used during other emergencies like sudden cardiac arrest. Cardiac emergencies were the predominant type of mission. LUCAS™2 is now considered mandatory on Danish SAR helicopters