First Responder Airway & Compression Rate Trial

First responder ventilation strategy. First responders in King County routinely use the BVM as part of core treatment of SCA. As part of EMS training, we have introduced a training module for use of the igel in simulated resuscitation, which has been enthusiastically accepted by EMS leadership and providers. The i-gel is already successfully practiced by BLS providers in a number of other communities and challenges in training and clinical application will be monitored, but not anticipated.

Compression rates. The EMS system routinely measures EMS CPR performance and specifically the chest compression rate using information derived and electronically recorded from defibrillator patches. As detailed in the Background section, this CPR surveillance activity highlights the variability of compression rates across the guideline-directed range of 100-120 compressions per minute. In addition our CPR surveillance indicates that a metronome can be used to obtain and maintain a specific compression rate within the parameters specified by this trial. This will be the tool used to guide compliance with the assigned chest compression rate by on-scene providers.