The Seated Arm-Lock Method : A New Concept of Basic Life Support in Simulated Hypogravity of the Moon and Mars

Abstract

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is an emergency procedure to return life to a person in cardiac arrest. This is indicated in those who are unresponsive with no breathing or only gasps. Studies have shown that the priority should be given to good external chest compressions, and to avoid the case where artificial ventilation may compromise survival [1]. Consistently with human space flight programs aboard the International Space Station (ISS), the Evetts-Russomano method seems to be appropriate to rescue a victim of cardiac arrest in microgravity [2,3,4,5] but, in hypogravity, as far as we know, no method is yet appropriate to rescue astronauts [6]. According to our trial, using the classical basic life support (BLS) technique does not provide good results, especially during extended periods of resuscitation. The Seated Arm-Lock ( SeAL ) method seems to offer improved outcomes in simulated hypogravity.