November 2004 Hot Shots

New Standard Diesel Engine

The most popular heavy-duty diesel engine in North America for 12 consecutive years, the Detroit Diesel Series 60 will become the standard engine on American LaFrance’s Eagle Mid-Engine chassis, the company has announced. Known for reliability and performance and certified for 2004 emissions standards, the Series 60 has increased acceleration due to a new high-performance turbocharger. It provides improved performance and fuel economy at low- and mid-range RPM. There are more than 760,000 Detroit Diesel Series 60 engines in service today. The Eagle Mid-Engine features design details that reduce heat levels and engine noise in the cab. Its cab has been designed to meet and exceed the stringent standards of the European ECE-R29 crashworthiness tests. Other features include a rigorously tested safety cage. For more information, call 843/486-7410, or visit www.americanlafrance.com.

Another Set of Ears

Victims in collapsed structures have reported hearing rescuers moving close by but being unable to make the rescuers hear them, even when shouting. The Con-Space Victim Locator Kit and Rescue Probe comprise a hardline two-way voice communication system designed to provide responders a means of locating such victims in a structural collapse. A sensitive omnidirectional microphone located in the Rescue Probe gives rescuers another set of “ears” that can be positioned deep within a collapse, along with a speaker to provide a comforting voice to those trapped below. The Rescue Probe consists of a microphone and speaker housed in a stainless steel cylinder designed to pass through a 2" bore hole. This unique device is waterproof, rugged, reliable and approved for use in explosive atmospheres. The Victim Locator Kit is configured to be operated by a single user or team of two, and can be used in conjunction with SAR dogs. For more information, call 800/546-3405, or visit www.con-space.com.

AED Training Aid

Nasco’s Universal AED Trainer is designed to help prepare students for emergency situations. Instructors simply push a button to set the sequence of events that will help students learn the appropriate steps to follow in both “shock” and “no shock” situations. Instructors can select from eight training scenarios recommended by the American Heart Association. Once the scenario is selected, the trainer will prompt the student in appropriate actions and responses. Lightweight and compact (19.05 cm x 12.7 cm x 4.45 cm), the trainer comes with reusable pads and electrode sets, a nine-volt battery, and a user’s manual that includes optional preplanned simulations. It comes with a three-year warranty.- For more information, call 800/558-9595, or visit www.enasco.com.

Find the Hard-to-Find Veins

When it comes to locating hard-to-find veins, The Venoscope II and Neonatal Transilluminators are an affordable and effective solution. They help clinicians easily locate those veins, making it faster and more efficient for them to deliver a high quality of care. Easily locating hard-to-find veins means one thing: fewer sticks. And fewer sticks means 1) less time a clinician must spend with each patient and 2) reducing waste of materials such as needles, syringes, PICC and midline trays, while making the procedure safer and more comfortable for the patient. “The Transilluminator is helpful in visualizing veins prior to starting an IV on an infant,” says Paul A. Byrne, MD, director of Neonatology and Pediatrics at St. Charles Mercy Hospital in Ohio. “The vessels, with their tributaries, can be better visualized before inserting the needle. Such observations are a great advantage.” For more information, call 800/284-7655, or visit www.venoscope.com.

Type I With Generator

Wheeled Coach has announced the introduction of The General, its next-generation generator-powered modular ambulance. The General is an independently powered Type I ambulance that utilizes a generator, eliminating all electrical loads from the chassis. Dual converters convert generator power to 12 VDC, and a self-diagnostic printed circuit board routes the power and virtually eliminates electrical problems. This simplifies maintenance as well. Access to the circuit board is conveniently provided in an outside compartment. Dual-redundancy “failsafe” switching is standard to allow the chassis to handle the 12 VDC loads in the unlikely event of generator malfunction. LED warning lights are also standard and minimize electric load. Climate control is provided by a heat pump, which is digitally controlled and operated from generator power as well. For more information, call 800/422-8206, or visit www.wheeledcoach.com.

Handheld Suction

The S-SCORT…JR Quickdraw, to be available this autumn, is a battery-powered handheld aspirator that provides efficient suction. At less than three pounds, the Quickdraw is compact and light enough to fit in an airway bag. The short, wide fluid path enables Quickdraw to evacuate thick, chunky fluids quickly. A two-position regulator is built into the disposable canister. When open, the vent port regulator on the canister will reduce vacuum. The collection canister has a capacity of 300cc and a hydrophobic bacteria filter. The Quickdraw comes with a DC power cord for easy recharging. For more information, call 800/434-5211, or visit www.sscor.com.