Alachua County Fire Rescue (ACFR) has placed a new piece of life-saving equipment into service. Every ambulance and select Alachua County Fire Rescue engines will now be equipped with the LUCAS device. The LUCAS device is a battery-powered mechanical chest compression device that delivers consistent and uninterrupted automatic chest compressions during cardiac arrest.
According to the American Heart Association, uninterrupted chest compressions during CPR provide the best opportunity to survive cardiac arrest. Studies have shown that mechanical devices such as the LUCAS provide more effective and consistent compressions, leading to more patients experiencing a Return of Spontaneous Circulation or ROSC.
ACFR was able to purchase the equipment through a combination of federal funding, a state grant, and a generous donation.
