medical-equip

Medical equipment

This section endeavours to facilitate the acquisition of medical equipment. Nonetheless, it should not be viewed as a replacement for guidance and supervision provided by a qualified diving medicine specialist. The supply of medical equipment is crucial and requires careful consideration and management. Throughout the emergency preparedness process, from selecting the appropriate equipment supplier to its delivery, storage, and utilization, quality assurance, quality control, and deference to medical expertise are all indispensable. The concept of "clinical governance" encompasses both "foreseeable risk" and "duty of care." While it is impossible to eliminate all risks associated with potential medical or surgical emergencies that may arise during commercial diving projects, stakeholders must ensure they are fully prepared. This entails having access to competent offshore and onshore medical personnel as well as proper medical equipment.

1 - Body waste management bags Bags designed to collect human wastes and then seal them are mandatory in hyperbaric rescue units, chambers, and should also be provided in small boats

“AbsorbeZe Maxi pouch” are body waste management bags designed for vomit or urine, that neutralize odors through a specific gel. Click on the picture aside to discover this product characteristics. It is fabricated by ProSys international, a company specialized in medical equipment based in UK Website: https://www.prosysinternational.co.uk/)

AbsorbeZe Maxi pouch

2 - Neck immobilization The act of immobilizing the neck is a crucial component of first aid interventions. As such, it is imperative that any first aid kit contain an appropriate device for this purpose.

Ambu Head wedge is designed to immobilize the patient’s head safely and effectively when placed on a backboard. Click on the picture aside to open and download the product description. Ambu is a company specialized in medical equipment based in Denmark Website: https://www.ambu.com

Ambu Perfit ACE Extrication Collar incorporates latches that allow the rescuer to size the collar exactly to the victim’s neck size. Click on the picture aside to download the description sheet from the manufacturer. Website: https://www.ambu.com

Leardal Padpack alignment pads enable neutral alignment during immobilization by padding between patient and spineboard. Padpacks provide safety and security and can help avoid the need for on the fly solutions to stabilize patients for immobilization. Leardal is headquartered in Norway Website: https://laerdal.com/

3 - Resuscitation & oxygenation devices This point focuses on products designed for emergency breathing.

Intersurgical catalog provides devices for resuscitation such as: Bag-Valve-Mask (BVM) resuscitators & Pocket resuscitation mask Adult bagging systems – Mapleson C One-piece Guedel airways I gel supraglottic airway I gel O2 Resus Pack Solus laryngeal mask airways Catheter mounts Intersurgical InTube tracheal tubes InterGuide tracheal tube introducer InterForm intubating stylet Plastic single use laryngoscope blades and many other useful devices Website: https://www.intersurgical.com/

The Amron International 8890 Oxygen Treatment Panel provides easy administration and humidification of the oxygen supply to the patient within the chamber. The 8890 System is available with a wide selection of masks and hoods. Oxygen flow rates are easily adjustable and monitored. Click on the picture to download the user manual. Website: https://www.amronintl.com/

The Comanex Free-flow breathing system has been specially designed for hyperbaric oxygen administration and humidification of casualties during hyperbaric treatments in decompression chambers. Click on the photo to access a more detailed description. Website: http://www.comanex.fr/diving- systems-1.html

NUI Compact chest Compression Device (NCCD) is a lightweight tool to be used as a substitute to manual chest compression during CPR. It is powered by compressed gas, and designed for use in hyperbaric environments Click on the picture to download the user manual Website: https://www.nui.no/

4 - Intraosseous devices The American Heart Association (AHA) and the European Resuscitation Council (ERC) recommend the establishment of intraosseous access (IO) for patients undergoing resuscitation for whom intravenous access is not readily available. As a result, this procedure is currently used to treat casualties in war and other catastrophic scenarios. Intraosseous access can be established using manually inserted IO needles or mechanical semi-automatic devices.

NlO+ is a semi-automatic intraosseous solution that is fully assembled and ready to use, providing reliable vascular access for adults. Per sys Medical is a manufacturer of hospital and emergency equipment headquartered in Houston - USA. Website: https://persysmedical.com/

5 - Stretchers Two categories of stretchers can be used for diving activities: The classical basket rescue stretchers and the units used for rope access works. Classical Basket rescue stretchers can be used for surface-supplied diving operations. However, they occupy too much space and do not have enough flexibility to be conveniently used in saturation complexes where the casualty may have to be transferred through multiple connecting doors and bent trunks connecting the system to the hyperbaric evacuation unit. It is why stretchers designed for rope access works have to be used in such a case. Note that the selection process of such units must include several tests to ensure their compatibility with the chambers they will be employed.

This classical basket stretcher is suitable for patient transport in uncomfortable environment conditions and arranged for the anchorage to helicopters. It is made in polymeric ABS material with an aluminum frame. Boscarol is based in Italy. Website: https://www.boscarol.it/eng/

The Ferno Model 71 is another classical basket stretcher that can be used for supporting surface supplied and ROV operations. Ferno is headquartered in the united Kingdom Website: https://www.ferno.com/uk/

The majority of the stretchers outlined in this catalogue are suitable for employment in both saturation diving systems and enclosed areas. KEDCO, a subsidiary of Felix Safety, offers specialized stretchers tailored to rope access and confined space operations. The headquarters of this establishment is situated in The Netherlands. Website: https://felixsafety.com/en/

6 - Medical monitoring of patients in Hyperbaric Chambers Some organizations and companies have mandated the use of remote patient monitoring systems for saturation diving, enabling doctors to oversee patients while undergoing treatment in the saturation system. We strongly advise implementing these systems for all types of chambers. It is important to note that such devices should be selected and installed in close consultation with your company's diving medical specialist.

The D-MAS HyperSat Medical Monitoring System, designed for employment in saturation diving systems and hyperbaric chambers, delivers the following information to a doctor in a remote location: Blood Pressure Pulse CO-Oximetry with Masimo SET finger clip sensor for SPO2 Resting ECG Extended ECG Core temperature measurement Still images Further medical functions are available as options, such as: Spirometry Audiometry Digital Video LaryngoScope Digital Video DermoScope (CapillaryScope) Digital Video DentalScope Digital Video IrisScope Digital Video OtoScope Website: https://www.danmedical.com/ Note that this system is also sold by JFD and IHI

The Arrow® EZ-IO® Power Driver is a sealed, hand-held, lithium battery powered medical device with an operating life of approximately 500 insertions fabricated by Teleflex. The user manual can be obtained by clicking the adjacent image. Manufacturer’s website: https://www.teleflex.com/