April 2005 Hot Shots

Stair/Evacuation/Transport Chair

Getting out can be harder than getting in—especially when it comes to your patients. For the injured, nonambulatory or otherwise immobile, Ferno offers its new Model 59-T EZ Glide Evacuation Stair Chair. Designed to work as a stair chair, evacuation chair or transport chair, the EZ Glide features a track system that deploys easily to eliminate the need for lifting or carrying. A high track-to-ground clearance, front swivel wheels and 6" rear wheels provide easy maneuverability over all surfaces and in confined spaces, even with the tracks deployed. The EZ Glide features an ergonomic five-position extending lift bar at the head, and five-position extending handles at the foot. It features a 500-pound weight capacity and 512 square inches of patient seating surface. A variety of restraint systems are offered. For more information, call 800/733-3766, or visit www.ferno.com/ezglide.

Gear Bag for First Responders

As important as all that equipment you use is your means of getting it to your patients. For such important considerations as capacity and durability, GO Manufacturing Innovations offers its First Responder Bag. Designed to meet many of the needs of the first responder/EMT, the bag, constructed of waterproof 1,000-denier Cordura nylon and available in a variety of colors, features a central storage compartment that opens only as far as required, three side storage compartments, double-action zippers for each pocket, and a carrying handle and adjustable shoulder strap. Its size is 18" x 14" x 9"; the center compartment is 7" x 18", and the largest side pocket is 9" x 18". The bag, the company emphasizes, is priced affordably for EMS providers. For more information, call 314/664-0164.

AED Measures Chest Compressions

Following FDA clearance in February, ZOLL is now offering the latest addition to its line of AEDs, the AED Pro. The AED Pro offers advanced capabilities for both BLS and ALS users, including ECG monitoring with standard ECG electrodes; combined AED/manual defibrillation capability; and ruggedness suited for extreme environments (it’s the only AED in the industry to pass a 1.5-meter drop test). The AED Pro is the only professional defibrillator that uses ZOLL’s CPR-D padz electrodes, which measure chest compressions during CPR. The unit converts the compression data from the pads and provides visual and audible feedback to the user. Its design will also allow for a variety of battery options. For more information, call 800/348-9011, or visit www.zoll.com.

The Choice of Border Patrol

It’s a crazy world out there. For SWAT medics and others who may one day face violent assaults, DuPont Advanced Fiber Systems offers protective vests made with Kevlar Comfort XLT technology, the choice of U.S. Customs and Border Patrol personnel. The majority of the 11,000-plus government personnel in those fields will be outfitted with Kevlar Comfort XLT vests by U.S. Armor. DuPont’s latest Kevlar application allows the vests to be at least 25% lighter than current all-aramid fabric designs, while maintaining the same level of ballistic performance. After incorporating Kevlar Comfort XLT into its vests, U.S. Armor found it “demonstrated excellent multi-hit capability and trauma performance.” For more information, call 804/383-2000.

Incident Tracking System

When a major incident occurs, keeping an eye on the big picture is critical. Purvis Systems’ Wide-Area Incident Tracking System (WITS) is an interoperable data-communication system that allows the real-time tracking and sharing of incident information over a wide-area network. WITS works by passively receiving and storing incident and unit information from participating agencies’ CAD systems and disseminating it to all WITS clients on the network. The system is scalable, allowing a range of applications from a joint dispatch center for a single community to integration of agencies throughout neighboring municipalities, counties and states. It is also suitable for everyday dispatching and data communications. For more information, call 401/849-4750, or visit www.purvis.com.

Ambulance Simulator

Rescue Safety Products introduces a new EMS innovation—the Ambulance Simulator. As an EMS skills lab, the Simulator allows classmates to observe “real-life” training exercises controlled by the EMS instructor. The Simulator is equipped with a rear entry for the placement of the cot; adjustable lighting; a squad bench; typical cabinets and shelving as found in a real ambulance; suction, oxygen and electrical outlets in locations as required in the Federal KKK standards for ambulances; and an attendant seat at the head of the primary cot. The Simulator can be assembled inside a present or new classroom. The instructor has a specially designed computer control panel designed with the use of a “manikin” patient to control heart rhythms, respirations and other vital signs to simulate those of a real-life patient in crisis. There are a host of other benefits afforded your department or school by owning an Ambulance Simulator designed by Rescue Safety Products. For more information, call 800/481-4490, or visit www.ambulancesimulator.com.