Portable ventilators under field conditions.

Abstract

Twenty-eight field rescue units using mechanical ventilators were questioned about the incidence of practical difficulties encountered with their equipment. Eleven (39%) had used the equipment in an emergency. Sixty-one separate incidents were recorded, in 48 oxygen therapy alone was given but in 13 the equipment was used to ventilate the patients' lungs. Seven units (25%) experienced some sort of practical difficulty. Six units complained of trouble with servicing, five of which were frustrated by delays with replacement oxygen cylinders.