Chest Compressors: Simplifying CPR in Tight Spaces

Due to the challenges of microgravity, tasks as simple as eating or showering become complex, making CPR on individuals who stop breathing in space a highly specialized process. However, experiments in simulated microgravity indicate that mechanical devices may perform more efficiently.

On Earth, weight and muscle strength aid in compressing a patient’s chest, but this principle shifts entirely in space where weight is nearly negligible.

NASA’s CPR protocol for the International Space Station dictates that patients must be compressed between two rigid surfaces while being positioned upside down and providing pressure with the feet.

Seeking a more effective approach, Nathan Raynett from the University of Lorraine along with his team assessed various CPR techniques aboard a parabolic flight on an Airbus A310. They also investigated three different chest compressors typically used in ground ambulance settings.

All methods were administered to training dummies, with a focus on measuring the depth of chest compressions. The European Council on Resuscitation states that a minimum compression depth of 50 mm is essential for effectiveness. In the experiments, the optimal mechanical devices achieved depths of 53 mm, whereas the upside-down method only managed 34.5 mm.

The findings will be presented at the European Heart Association Conference in Madrid on August 31st. Reynette and his colleagues expressed their hope that the research could influence future CPR guidelines in space.

Aaron Parkhurst from University College London notes that current CPR methods are challenging to apply in space, highlighting a need for enhancements. “In zero gravity, conducting CPR would likely present significant challenges and yield poor outcomes,” he explains. “This new technique seems promising in addressing those concerns.”

As space travel becomes increasingly frequent, the chances of cardiovascular emergencies in orbit rise, particularly as astronauts are not always physically optimal, as Parkhurst points out. “The strain of launching into space can be taxing on the heart, while prolonged exposure to microgravity impacts the cardiovascular system adversely.”

A NASA representative stated: “Currently, manual compression remains the standard CPR method used on the International Space Station. NASA mitigates the need for CPR through comprehensive medical screenings of astronauts and strong engineering safeguards. Research on CPR machines in microgravity has not been extensively conducted, particularly concerning human missions to the Moon, Mars, and beyond.”