High-performance CPR solutions for first responders

Process

The project kicked off with a two-day CPR workshop at UID, led by two designers and licensed instructors from Laerdal. The first day focused on introductions and on teaching the APD2 students the basics of administering CPR, as well as how to perform more advanced CPR when working together as a team. The second day was dedicated to two prepared role-play scenarios. In the first scenario, students experienced the challenges of performing CPR while wearing a hazmat suit, simulating reduced tactility. Later the same day, a second role-play was conducted in a dark room in the school’s basement, to simulate delivering CPR under low-light conditions with limited visibility.

The next phase of the project consisted of field study visits to five local first responder groups and units. In addition to the ambulance and fire stations, the students also visited the local ferry operating between Umeå and Vaasa, Finland, the Police Education Unit at Umeå University, and the Search and Rescue helicopter base to get an overview of the same and different pain points experienced by the different types of first responders.

Outcome

The project resulted in five different concepts that explore diverse approaches to newly designed solutions aimed at helping first responders deliver High-Performance CPR under the most challenging circumstances.

LifeLine – The first automated CPR system for double sequential defibrillation

Refractory cardiac arrest is one of the most critical challenges in emergency medicine. Research from the DOSE-VF trial indicates that Double Sequential External Defibrillation (DSED) can more than double survival rates. However, today’s ambulance equipment is not designed to support this more complex workflow, often forcing paramedics to pause life-saving chest compressions to set up automated compression devices. LifeLine addresses this challenge by integrating the defibrillation electrode directly into the mechanical compression piston, unifying automated CPR and shock delivery in a single system. This integration enables continuous perfusion with minimal interruptions, even during patient transport.

Feedbag – How to see and feel ventilation

This concept reimagines the potential of the hand-powered ventilation bag, not just as a tool, but as an active partner in the chain of survival. By integrating advanced sensors with an intuitive dual-feedback ecosystem, the system closes the loop between rescuer and patient.
Feedbag monitors every breath using a flow sensor, EtCO₂ measurement, and microphones, and communicates this data in two complementary ways. First, a pneumatic system inside the bag uses built-in air chambers to generate distinct haptic patterns, helping the operator maintain the correct ventilation rate and volume. Second, a visual interface positioned close to the patient’s face provides a detailed Clinical Mode for paramedics and a simplified Guidance Mode for first responders. By delivering real-time tactile and visual feedback, Feedbag improves ventilation quality by ensuring that every breath is safe, effective, and optimized to save lives.

PTR – A wearable bag valve solution for all first responders

PTR is a wearable, easy-to-access respiratory device designed for first responders,  typically police officers, security personnel and life guards, who are often the first to arrive at a cardiac arrest scene.
One of the key challenges of bag-valve ventilation is achieving a complete seal between the mask and the patient’s face. This task normally requires the use of both hands, making it almost impossible for a lone first responder to ventilate effectively while maintaining proper mask placement.
PTR addresses this challenge through a three-part system consisting of a sling bag, a single-use mask, and a ventilation bag. The system is designed for rapid deployment and enables a single responder to deliver optimal ventilation. The mask is secured to the patient’s face with both hands, while the ventilation bag is positioned in a body-worn strap, resting under the responder’s arm. This allows the responder to use the upper arm to compress the bag, freeing both hands to maintain a secure mask seal and enable the first responder to focus fully on the patient.

LIFT PACK – High-performance CPR for helicopter environments

Lift Pack is a mechanical chest compression and defibrillation system for Search and Rescue helicopter crews. It helps small teams deliver consistent, high-quality CPR during long transports in noisy, turbulent cabins. 
Because alarms are often inaudible in flight, Lift Pack links the defibrillator and chest compression device and replaces audio cues with clear visual guidance on one central display that is visible from all angles. It supports the full workflow: continuous compressions, heart rhythm checks, shock delivery, and guided ventilations during compression pauses. 
By helping crews anticipate each step and stay coordinated, it reduces compression interruptions and improves CPR quality in extreme conditions, when every second matters.

SCOUT ResQ Fold – A rescue stretcher for challenging urban environments

Cardiac arrest survival in urban environments is often compromised by outdated infrastructure, such as narrow stairwells in multi-story walk-up buildings. These physical constraints limit the use of traditional stretchers and modern medical equipment, leading to interrupted CPR and increased ergonomic strain on first responders.
SCOUT ResQ Fold addresses this challenge as a specialized, purpose-built extraction platform. Its primary feature—an extendable folding seat—enables a seated carry that reduces the patient’s physical footprint, improving manoeuvrability in confined spaces. The design also integrates directly with LUCAS 3 compression devices through a dedicated rail system, ensuring uninterrupted life support during transit. By balancing clinical requirements with ergonomic safety, the SCOUT platform establishes a seamless chain of survival from the urban home to the ambulance.