New Device Assists CPR + Fox and Friends

This morning, I joined Elisabeth, Brian, Tucker and the Fox and Friends team to talk life-saving CPR techniques. As nurse practitioners, we are all well versed in CPR. But, do our patients know how to act in emergency situations?

The American Heart Association says that 70 percent of Americans feel helpless to assist in a cardiac emergency because they either don’t know CPR or their training has lapsed. This alarming statistic could hit close to home. 88 percent of cardiac arrests occur at home, so if you know CPR the life you save is most likely to be that of someone you love.

This situation recently held true for one ER nurse with whom I work. One afternoon, her husband collapsed in front of her. Acting quickly, she called 911 and began CPR immediately. Today, he is alive and back at home enjoying time with his wife who undoubtedly saved his life.

Understandably, many people aren’t used to acting in health emergencies like this particular nurse. When they witness a cardiac arrest, panic ensues, or people don’t know what to do. When a cardiac arrest occurs in a public location, people may be hesitant to touch the victim. The new CPR RsQ Assist device aims to fix this by assisting with and giving verbal instructions for performing compression-only CPR, the technique now recommended by the American Heart Association for individuals ages 8 and older.

I spoke to inventor of the new CPR RsQ Assist, Joe Hanson, earlier this week asking him about the device’s features. “Bending your wrist back in the position required by CPR is tiring” says Hanson. “The CPR RsQ Assist makes CPR easier and less tiring. The silicone base is 4 times larger than the base of your hand so the downward energy you create is dispersed over a larger area” he says. Hanson continues “you don’t have to be as concerned as much with proper hand placement when using the device, and the design of the handle allows people with unconditioned hands, such as those with arthritis, to perform CPR”.

In trying out the CPR RsQ device myself, I have to say I’m a fan. The audio cue the device provides to push is helpful in maintaining the correct rate of compressions. When performing CPR unguided most people go too fast in the beginning, providing about 160 compressions a minute for the first minute, then fatiguing giving just 60 compressions the following minute. Sticking with 100, as guided by the CPR RsQ Assist provides effective CPR without fatigue.

If you missed Fox and Friends this morning, check out a clip of my CPR demo with and without CPR RsQ here!