Health & Wellbeing

Cardio First Angel teaches CPR on the job

Cardio First Angel teaches CPR on the job
The Cardio First Angel is a simple mechanical device designed to help users provide treatment to heart attach victims until professionals arrive
The Cardio First Angel is a simple mechanical device designed to help users provide treatment to heart attach victims until professionals arrive
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The shape of the Cardio First Angel helps to correctly position it
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The shape of the Cardio First Angel helps to correctly position it
The Cardio First Angel and its case
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The Cardio First Angel and its case
The Cardio First Angel is a simple mechanical device designed to help users provide treatment to heart attach victims until professionals arrive
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The Cardio First Angel is a simple mechanical device designed to help users provide treatment to heart attach victims until professionals arrive
The Cardio First Angel has the instructions printed on its button
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The Cardio First Angel has the instructions printed on its button
The Cardio First Angel in its case
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The Cardio First Angel in its case
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Performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) in the first 15 minutes following a heart attack can be a literal lifesaver, greatly increasing the victim's chances of survival. However, many people aren't trained in CPR and even those who are can be hesitant to step up in the vital first minutes that can mean the difference between life and death. The Cardio First Angel CPR coach is a simple mechanical device that guides even an untrained person in properly administering CPR.

Though CPR may not be enough to restart a stopped heart, it can keep blood flowing to the brain and other organs to hold off death and prevent irreversible damage until medical help can arrive. The form of CPR most familiar to the public is the conventional compression/resuscitation method where the practitioner alternates between pressing on the patient’s chest and breathing air into the lungs. It works, but it requires training and a bit of practice on medical dummies to learn to do it effectively.

The other method, preferred by the American Heart Association for adult patients, is the compression-only method, where the practitioner continually presses on the patient’s chest at 100 to 120 compressions per minute. The idea is that it’s much more important to keep the blood circulating through the body than ventilating the lungs, and that it’s much easier to learn.

The shape of the Cardio First Angel helps to correctly position it
The shape of the Cardio First Angel helps to correctly position it

The only problem is that for the inexperienced practitioner or someone whose knowledge of the method comes from a first-aid pamphlet, compression-only is still daunting and can result in hesitation during the first couple of minutes when help is most needed. Built by Cardio First Angel International Group, Munich, the Cardio First Angel is designed to reduce or eliminate that moment of hesitation.

The way the Cardio First Angel works is very simple. The 130-g (4.5-oz) device is removed from its plastic case. On top of the device is just what you want on a medical emergency device; a large, red button with instructions printed right on it. After calling emergency services, the practitioner is instructed to put the foam-backed device in place, so the point of its oval shape is resting on the base of the sternum.

The Cardio First Angel has the instructions printed on its button
The Cardio First Angel has the instructions printed on its button

The practitioner then places the heels of his hands on the button and presses down in a rocking motion indicated by the illustration at a rate of 100-120 beats per minute. The spring in the button makes a loud click when 41 kg (90 lb) of pressure is applied and a loud clack when springing back, to ensure the patient receives optimal compression pressure. The timing of these two sounds helps the operator to keep the proper rhythm until professional help arrives.

The video below explains the Cardio First Angel (in German).

Source: Cardio First Angel via The Red Ferret

Cardio First Angel - Statement & Demonstration

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2 comments
2 comments
Gadgeteer
Not very useful. There's no built-in metronome, so supposedly the click-clack sound will signal 100 compressions per minute, but that's highly imprecise. Worse, 90 pounds of force is pretty much meaningless. Chest stiffness varies tremendously among victims. Some need much less than 90, but more importantly, some with very stiff chests need as much as 200 pounds. With those victims, you'll never achieve adequate compression depth even though you may hear the click-clack. Even the American Heart Association and American Red Cross recommend much more than 90 pounds of force. Most studies say an average of 120 pounds is necessary. This thing would never be approved by the FDA for sale in the US, even if it gets less stringent European approval.
Rt1583
I wonder if the click-clack was was also included for the added benefit of possibly covering up the sound of the sternum cracking/breaking?