Evaluation of fatigue, load and the quality of chest compressions by bystanders in hot and humid environments.

Background: This study aimed to investigate the physiological load on bystanders during cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and the quality of chest compressions in hot and humid environments.

Methods: This prospective experimental study compared the physical load and quality of chest compressions among healthy volunteers who performed 10 min chest compression in a climate chamber under normal conditions (for Tokyo) (Wet Bulb Globe Temperature [WBGT] 21 °C) and hot and humid conditions (WBGT 31 °C). The primary outcome was the depth of chest compressions over a 10-minute period.

Effect of cardiopulmonary resuscitation training for layperson bystanders on outcomes of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest: A prospective multicenter observational study.

Background: Effective bystander cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) improves outcomes in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) patients. However, the effect of CPR training on the rate of return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) among laypersons has yet to be thoroughly evaluated.

Methods: This prospective, multicenter observational study was conducted across 42 centers in Japan.

Effectiveness of the Abdominal Thrust Maneuver for Airway Obstruction Removal: Analysis of Data from the National Emergency Medical Services Information System.

Background: Foreign body airway obstruction (FBAO) is a life-threatening emergency. Abdominal thrusts are recommended as first aid, but the success rate for this technique is unclear. Using information from a large database of emergency medical services (EMS) data in the United States, we evaluated the success rate of abdominal thrusts and identified patient characteristics that were associated with the success of the technique.

Usefulness of Self-Selected Scenarios for Simple Triage and Rapid Treatment Method Using Virtual Reality.

Background: Repeated triage training is necessary to maintain and improve the accuracy of simple triage and rapid treatment (START), a popular triage method. Virtual reality (VR) may be more effective than conventional training methods. This study aimed to verify the educational usefulness of START using VR originally developed for students.

Characteristics and Outcomes of Emergency Transferred Patients with Foreign Body Airway Obstruction in Tokyo, Japan.

Introduction: Foreign body airway obstruction (FBAO) is a life-threatening emergency, and the prognosis of patients with FBAO is greatly affected by the prehospital process. There are only a few large-scale studies analyzing prehospital process databases of the fire department.

Study Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate whether characteristics of patients with FBAO were associated with prehospital factors and outcomes.

A Study on Points of Respiratory Assist Devices Using in Pre-Hospital Care Respiratory Assist Devices in Pre-Hospital Care.

Background: In Japan, increasing the number of ambulance requests, the case with the use of respiratory assistance devices in prehospital care by paramedics is also increasing. When patient experiences respiratory failure, the first responders frequently select a respiratory assist device (RAD) such as Bag Valve Mask (BVM), Jackson Rees (JR), or BVM with Gas Supply Valve (BVM+GSV). This is based on both evaluation and experience as there is no study indicating which RAD is the best choice at the pre-hospital emergency site.

Development of a Machine Learning Model to Predict Cardiac Arrest during Transport of Trauma Patients.

Background: Trauma is a serious medical and economic burden worldwide, and patients with traumatic injuries have a poor survival rate after cardiac arrest. The authors developed a prediction model specific to prehospital trauma care and used machine learning techniques to increase its accuracy.

Methods: This retrospective observational study analyzed data from patients with blunt trauma injuries due to traffic accidents and falls from January 1, 2018, to December 31, 2019.

Accuracy of breathing and radial pulse assessment by non-medical persons: an observational cross-sectional study.

Early recognition of cardiopulmonary arrest (CPA) expedites emergency calls and resuscitation and improves the survival rate of unresponsive individuals. However, the accuracy of breathing and radial artery pulse assessment by non-medical persons is poorly understood. The aim of this study was to determine the accuracy of breathing assessment and radial pulse palpation among 450 non-medical personnel using a high-fidelity simulator.

Do Video Calls Improve Dispatcher-Assisted First Aid for Infants with Foreign Body Airway Obstruction? A Randomized Controlled Trial/Simulation Study.

Background: Because choking quickly leads to cardiopulmonary arrest, it is crucial that bystanders remove foreign bodies effectively. Although oral instructions in video calls by dispatchers have improved the quality of cardiopulmonary resuscitation, it is unclear whether video calls improve the quality of first aid for choking infants. Therefore, this simulation study aimed to determine whether video calls with dispatchers improve the quality of first aid for infants with foreign body airway obstruction (FBAO).

Evaluation of outcomes after EMS-witnessed traumatic out-of-hospital cardiac arrest caused by traffic collisions.

Aim: The survival rate of patients with traumatic cardiac arrest is 3% or lower. Cardiac arrest witnessed by emergency medical services (EMS) accounts for approximately 16% of prehospital traumatic cardiac arrests, but the prognosis is unknown. We aimed to compare the 1-month survival rate of cardiac arrest witnessed by EMS with that of cardiac arrest witnessed by bystanders and unwitnessed cardiac arrest in traffic trauma victims; further, the time from injury to cardiac arrest was assessed.

Wearing a face mask during controlled-intensity exercise is not a risk factor for exertional heatstroke: A pilot study.

Aim: This study aimed to measure the influence of wearing face masks on individuals' physical status in a hot and humid environment.

Methods: Each participant experienced different physical situations: (i) not wearing a mask (control), (ii) wearing a surgical mask, (iii) wearing a sport mask. An ingestible capsule thermometer was used to measure internal core body temperature during different exercises (standing, walking, and running, each for 20 min) in an artificial weather room with the internal wet-bulb globe temperature set at 28°C.