posted June 17, 2025

Device proven to be critical in emergency air medical transport of cardiac patients 

  SYLACAUGA, AL, June 17, 2025 – The Life Saver bases in Sylacauga, Cusseta, and Evergreen, along with their sister base, USA SouthFlight in Semmes, are reinforcing their commitment to safety and clinical excellence by integrating the ZOLL AutoPulse® NXT automated CPR device into their emergency air medical helicopters. As part of Air Methods, the nation’s leading air medical service provider, Life Saver and USA SouthFlight join a nationwide initiative to integrate this life-saving technology into all of their community-based aircraft nationwide. 

The ZOLL AutoPulse NXT enables air medical clinicians to deliver high-quality, uninterrupted CPR while ensuring their own safety by wearing seat belts through critical phases of flight. It also works in tandem with the existing onboard ventilator to provide the best pre-hospital care during transport. 

“The Zoll AutoPulse is a great asset that gives us the ability to make an impact on our patients’ lives that we previously did not have during transport,” said Life Saver Flight Paramedic Jake Slick. “With the AutoPulse, we now have the ability to transport a patient in active cardiac arrest while keeping our hands free to care for the patient in other ways they may require. Any tool we can add that could make a positive impact on patient outcomes is an incredible asset to have.”  

Unlike manual compressions, which can be inconsistent and physically exhausting, the AutoPulse NXT delivers continuous, high-quality CPR without interruption, ensuring a more effective resuscitation process. The device’s innovative design also eliminates the need for removal during patient loading and unloading, allowing seamless transitions while maintaining uninterrupted compressions. Furthermore, its compact size makes it a practical and efficient addition to the program’s life-saving equipment. 

“ZOLL is proud to partner with Air Methods on advancing resuscitation care in their fleet,” said Randy Keaney, Strategic Account Manager of ZOLL Medical. “AutoPulse NXT provides high quality circumferential chest compressions to a wide patient population and can continue CPR from the scene to the ER to the cath lab.” 

This initiative aligns with advancements in emergency cardiac care, including the growing need to transport patients experiencing cardiac arrest to percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI)-capable cardiac facilities. With AutoPulse NXT, Life Saver and USA SouthFlight crews can focus on addressing the underlying causes of cardiac arrest rather than the physical demands of manual compressions. 

Air Methods collaborated closely with ZOLL to provide direct feedback during the development of the AutoPulse NXT, which was released in 2024. The rollout of AutoPulse NXT across all Air Methods bases began in April 2025, accompanied by training programs and resources to ensure seamless adoption among clinicians. 

For a video of the ZOLL AutoPulse® NXT automated CPR device and photos of the device with the aircraft and a crew member from Life Saver 4 in Sylacauga, click here.