Prospective crossover study demonstrates mechanical CPR improves compression quality and rescuer safety during ski patrol transport, suggesting significant utility in complex terrain.
Key Points
To evaluate and compare the CPR quality metrics and rescuer safety of mechanical versus manual chest compressions during ski patrol toboggan transport in complex terrain.
Conducted a prospective crossover trial from November 2024 to May 2025 simulating ski slope rescue scenarios.
Performed 10 downhill runs comparing manual compression-only CPR against mechanical chest compressions using a Bluetooth-capable CPR mannikin to record performance metrics.
Mechanical CPR demonstrated significantly superior compression fraction, compression rate, and correct compression positioning relative to manual CPR.
No significant differences were identified between manual and mechanical CPR in total scenario time, compression depth, or pause duration.
Manual CPR presented marked safety risks to providers, resulting in three ski patrollers being ejected from toboggans across three separate trials.