The ACT Government has supported the ACT Ambulance Service to introduce 8 new Mechanical Chest Compression Devices across the ACT to support the treatment of patients experiencing cardiac arrest.
By delivering CPR automatically, these devices free up first responders to prioritise other urgent, life-saving actions.
Since early February, our ambulance service has worked closely with colleagues at Canberra Health Services to deliver service-wide training to support the safe introduction and use of these devices within the service.
The deployment of these devices within the ACT aligns with contemporary approaches to out‑of‑hospital cardiac arrest management. Similar devices are already in use across other Australian ambulance services, including New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, and the Northern Territory.
Minister for Police, Fire and Emergency Services, Marisa Paterson, welcomed these devices.
"The introduction of these devices supports our paramedics by providing safe and consistent CPR when manual compressions are difficult, including during transport to hospital. ACT Ambulance Service paramedics continue to provide comprehensive care that no device can replace.
"The introduction of these devices in the ACT is a valuable enhancement to our current capabilities and demonstrates our continued commitment to supporting the community in times of need."
Quotes attributable to ACT Ambulance Service Chief Officer, David Dutton
"Our paramedics have received extensive training in the use of these devices and remain fully responsible for when and how they are applied. No machine can replace experience or clinical judgement, but this technology enhances the high-quality care our paramedics already provide.
"For some people, these devices may look confronting if they are unfamiliar. While they may appear forceful, they deliver controlled compressions to support effective, life-saving CPR."
