Description

For the upgraded ARS for Needle Decompression from North American Rescue, the best minds in the field were applied to the best available data. The result? NAR’s patented design improved the probability of success when managing casualties who present signs and symptoms of a tension pneumothorax.

To achieve this end, NAR participated in a two-year collaboration with pre-hospital providers. They continuously analyzed data obtained from ongoing combat operations for patients whose symptoms suggested a collapsed lung (difficulty in breathing, chest drains, etc.). They applied the Analytical Thinking, Evidence-based Medicine and Human Factors engineering model to identify inherent survival stress behaviors.

Then, North American Rescue went one step further. They incorporated failsafe characteristics into the product design. For example, an easy-open container protects the needle from damage during deployment. Also, they removed the flash cap from the needle system to allow immediate confirmation of placement.