First response gearTech breakthrough allows first responders to carry mini resuscitators

Thanks to PerSys Medical, first responders operating in rugged terrain are now able to carry a miniaturized version of a critical medical device that helps patients breathe.

The BVM (bag valve mask) functions as a replacement for traditional CPR and is used by medical personnel to resuscitate a patient who is not breathing or breathing inadequately.

The device is an essential component of any first responder’s repertoire and is carried by EMS and hospital personnel worldwide, but for first responders that operate in rugged terrain like the Los Gatos-Monte Sereno Disaster Aid Response Team, the BVM is too unwieldy and takes up a great deal of space.

This combination is less than ideal for the group whose job it is to patrol the coastal mountain region of California south of San Jose. Because they travel either by foot, bicycle, or all-terrain vehicle, carrying an ordinary BVM is out of the question, but thanks to technological breakthroughs by PerSys Medical this is no longer a problem.

The Houston-based company produces a collapsible BVM which weighs less than one pound and is less than a foot in diameter.

The design was originally developed in 2008 by a group of Israeli paramedics and allows the BVM to fit into a small first aid kit. The small size and ease of use also allows an EMT to carry out other responsibilities while performing CPR with a BVM.

The Los Gatos team acknowledged the benefit of carrying the device. “The Pocket BVM greatly improves the in-field quality of medical support provided by our teams: while still light and compact, the Pocket BVM is capable of efficient operation for extended periods,” stated Dana Timbrock, a member of the team