Since the development of modern cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) in the 1960s, this technology has saved countless lives. However, studies have found that traditional CPR is not as effective in zero gravity, so a team of European cardiologists are testing possible alternatives for astronauts.
NASA astronaut Josh Casada practices manual CPR on the International Space Station
CPR has allowed many patients who suffered cardiac arrest to escape death. This technology is not only important for professional first responders, but also applicable to the general public, because the operation is very simple and almost everyone can learn and master it. For rescuers who have not received professional training, health organizations such as the American Heart Association (AHA) recommend the "hands-on CPR" method. This method uses the rescuer's hands and body weight to press the patient's sternum to create rhythmic pressure to help blood circulation.
As long as you can memorize the Bee Gees' "Stayin' Alive" to keep pace, hands-free CPR is very effective on Earth. But in the weightless environment of space, the rescuer cannot press him down with his weight, but will be bounced away. So other ways have to be found.
To evaluate alternative methods, cardiologists worked with the French National Center for Space Research (CNES) to conduct experiments on an Airbus A310 aircraft modified to simulate weightlessness during parabolic flight. During these brief "floating" phases, the team tested manual CPR as well as three automated chest compression devices.
These devices may not be familiar to the public, but they are widely used in many special occasions, such as small spaces such as helicopter medical cabins, or when CPR needs to be performed for a long time. Equipment includes: frame compression device with piston, portable piston equipment, wearable compression belts, etc.
The goal of the experiment was to see whether various methods could compress the simulated chest cavity to a standard depth of 50-60 mm (2-2.4 inches). It was found that manual CPR failed to perform in zero gravity, while standard mechanical piston equipment did.
Nathan Reynette from the Department of Cardiology at the University Hospital of Nancy, France, said: "We simulated the environment of astronauts in microgravity in the 'flying laboratory' and tested different chest compression methods. The results showed that a certain type of automatic compression device was the only method that could reach the compression depth recommended by international first aid guidelines - this depth is crucial to ensure blood flow to the brain. We hope that this finding will eventually be included in the treatment guidelines for cardiac arrest in space."
Currently, astronauts are all in extremely healthy physical condition, and the probability of cardiac arrest is extremely low. But as the cost of space travel has been greatly reduced, it will become a trend for ordinary people to travel to space in the future, and these rescue technologies can save more lives. Relevant mechanical CPR technology can also be used in extreme environments such as submarines and polar scientific research bases in the future.