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Elk Ofers an Uplifting Experience T he R ichmond A mbu lance Authority (RAA) of Richmond, VA, was Mangar Internation- al's first U.S. customer, initially equipping its 24/7 supervisor vehi- cles with Mangar ELK (Emergency Lifting Cushions). The ELK is a compact battery- powered pneumatic lifting cushion capable of lifting a 1,000-lb patient with ease. If someone falls over they can shuffle on to the cushion, or be rolled on from the recovery posi- tion and assisted to sit upright. The ELK can be inflated at the touch of a button with someone support- ing the individual from behind to bring them to a raised seated posi- tion, ready to stand. Once the lift is complete, the ELK can be deflated, folded up and stored tidily. The impact of the new lifting devices was immediate. From first deployment, the reduced strain and effort on the part of the providers was matched by the patient expe- rience in receiving a dignified lift. RAA COO Rob Lawrence notes that, "After a recent patient arrived at RAA's HQ and left a sizable dona- tion because of the way we lifted and expertly handled the individual using the ELK, we knew we had proven the concept of the device. And it is quite simply the right thing to do to ensure our medics go home in one piece, uninjured." Visit www.mangarusa.com. Circle 47 on the Product Information Card The Quantum ACR Secures the Smallest Patients F inding the right equipment for pediatric patients can be challenging, but sometimes a device comes along that just makes sense. The Quantum ACR (Ambulance Child Restraint) is an innovative, f lexible and fully adjustable harnessing system for the safe and effective transport of infants and children in an ambulance, and is color coded for easy selection in four sizes from 4 to 99 pounds. The ACR can be used on any model cot and the patient can be lying down or sitting in the upright position. For Delt a A mbu- lance in Waterville, ME, the ACR is the perfect replacement for unwieldy car seats: "We decided to use the Quantum ACR because we were using car seats and as ambulances get smaller and fuller we no longer had the room to carry them with us," says Phil Smith, purchasing manager/paramedic. Smith says the advantages of the ACR are numerous. It's simple, small enough to carry on each truck, providers can tighten it down to the stretcher without the device becoming too tight on the child, and it doesn't hamper the ability of providers to actually get to the child once it's in place. "It's not often that an item comes along that just fits every need, and this was just a no-brain- er," Smith says. "It's been very beneficial to have one little kit you can go to, that can fit in the cabi- net, that you can use to strap a child in." Smith has been equally impressed with Quantum EMS. "They sent me samples when I needed them, and they actu- ally wanted my feedback. I appreciated that." Visit www.quantum-ems.com. Circle 45 on the Product Information Card BearCat MedEvac Protects Providers & Patients A s active shooter events increase, warm zones are arenas EMS providers are learning to operate within. But in order to do so providers need protection. Protection doesn't come much sturdier than the Lenco MedEvac LE, designed to meet the requirements of SWAT and tactical EMS teams. The BearCat model can be used as an armored response and rescue SWAT truck for dangerous call-outs, and is equipped to provide tactical EMS with a safe and effective environment to deal with trauma cases. The San Leandro (CA) Police Department is purchasing its own BearCat, and Lt. Randy Brandt, tactical operations commander, predicts it will get more use than expected: "In San Leandro we had no ballistic protection at all, so we were bor- rowing vehicles all the time for when we needed a more tactical approach. But we've done a ton of training recently with embedded paramedics and law enforcement, and we realized for a major incident we're going to run out of tactical vehicles, and even if you don't the ones we have available are not built for dual purposes." Brandt says the new BearCat MedEvac, the first of its kind in northern California, is going to be a regional asset. San Leandro PD will care for the vehicle and provide policy, but other agencies can call it in as a secondary asset. "It has all the ballistic capabilities of a tradi- tional BearCat for protection," Brandt explains, "and the exterior shell is very similar. But all the internal components are more task-oriented for the EMS integration—it has high-end task light- ing for work stations, a little utility work station on the front driver's side, oxygen tanks, IV bag hooks and dual mobile stretchers on either side of the vehicle." Visit www.lencoarmor.com. Circle 46 on the Product Information Card P R O D U C T A P P L I C A T I O N S 54 MARCH 2015 | EMSWORLD.com