Isle of Man Air Ambulance Upgrades with Lifesaving Automated CPR Device

The Isle of Man Air Ambulance service will soon use an automated CPR device to improve patient care during transfers. The team currently faces difficulties performing manual chest compressions in the cramped space of their fixed-wing aircraft. A £10,000 grant from the Henry Bloom Noble Healthcare Trust will now fund the purchase of a compact, lightweight solution.

The need for a better CPR method became clear during a training session with the Coastguard helicopter service. There, the Air Ambulance team saw firsthand how an automated device could maintain consistent chest compressions—even in tight spaces. Their fixed-wing aircraft, based at Ronaldsway, often transports cardiac patients to specialist centres in Liverpool and the north-west of England.

The chosen device, the Easy Pulse Compact, is battery-powered and small enough to fit into an overnight bag. Its portability makes it ideal for the confined cabin, where manual CPR is difficult due to limited headroom. The Rotary Club of Douglas had previously funded a similar device for the rescue helicopter at Noble’s Hospital, which the Air Ambulance team later used. Dr Malcolm Clague, a trustee of the Henry Bloom Noble Healthcare Trust and a retired surgeon, highlighted the device’s role in improving patient outcomes. The trustees agreed to support the purchase, recognizing its potential to save lives during critical transfers.

The £10,000 grant will allow the Air Ambulance service to buy the Easy Pulse Compact device. It will ensure uninterrupted, high-quality CPR for patients during flights to specialist hospitals. The team expects the device to be operational in their fixed-wing aircraft in the near future.