At CPR Lifeline, we’re always watching for innovations that improve patient outcomes and support the work of health care professionals and first responders. This week, a powerful example of progress took place in Germantown, Tennessee, where the Germantown Fire Department reunited recent cardiac arrest survivors with the crews who helped save their lives.
These life-changing moments weren’t made possible by old-school CPR methods alone — they were supported by a breakthrough device that’s beginning to redefine how CPR and BLS care are delivered in the field.
Meet the Stryker Lucas 3: A Major Advancement in CPR and BLS
The Memphis-area fire and EMS services have begun using the Stryker Lucas 3, a mechanical CPR device designed to deliver high-quality chest compressions automatically. For health care professionals and first responders, the benefits are enormous:
- Consistent, uninterrupted compressions that meet CPR and BLS guidelines
- Reduced physical strain on rescuers
- Increased blood flow during cardiac arrest
- Lower chance of neurological damage caused by poor perfusion
With more than 700,000 cardiac arrests happening each year — and only about 10% surviving when CPR occurs outside a hospital — this kind of technology can be the difference between life and death.
As one firefighter put it perfectly:
“It’s not only a labor-saving device — it’s a quality-improvement device, and it’s a life-saving device.”
Setting a New Standard for Emergency Response
Germantown Fire was the first department in the Mid-South to adopt this $20,000 device, and Collierville Fire has now added the Lucas 3 to its fleet as well. Their goal is simple: increase survival rates and give more families the chance to reunite with loved ones who experienced sudden cardiac arrest.
These departments are demonstrating what’s possible when cutting-edge tools meet highly trained professionals — and their success reinforces why high-quality CPR training matters more than ever.
Why CPR Training Matters — and How CPR Lifeline Helps
Mechanical CPR devices are incredible tools, but they don’t replace the need for skilled responders. Strong foundational CPR and BLS training ensures that rescuers — including firefighters, nurses, EMTs, and health care professionals — know how to evaluate, act, and support patients long before advanced equipment arrives.
At CPR Lifeline, we specialize in:
- AHA-certified CPR and BLS training
- Advanced courses like ACLS and PALS
- Hands-on and blended learning options
- Real-world practice with the same equipment used by fire and EMS crews
Our mission is simple: empower communities and health care professionals with the skills and confidence needed to save lives.
As technology like the Lucas 3 becomes more widely adopted, high-quality training becomes even more essential. Together, knowledge and innovation continue to shape the future of cardiac care — and help create more stories of survival across the Nashville and Memphis.
Videos and Links
Memphis Fire use of the Stryker Lucas 3 for BLS CPR https://www.stryker.com/us/en/emergency-care/news/video/ems-stories-memphis-fire-department.html
Germantown Fire just outside of Memphis, news report from Action News 5 about the use of the Lucas device for CPR – https://www.actionnews5.com/2023/02/09/germantown-fire-department-emts-reunite-with-cardiac-rest-survivors-introduce-new-cpr-technology/
News report from TMJ4 about Germantown Fire Department purchase of new CPR equipment – https://www.tmj4.com/news/local-news/germantown-fire-department-introduces-new-cpr-technology
YouTube Video of the Lucas device performing BLS CPR – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vlA8A7MTQWA
Chris Peters
Chris Peters is a certified American Heart Association instructor and firefighter since 1996 with over 30 years of emergency response experience. After answering thousands of 911 calls, he founded CPR Lifeline to provide AHA-certified training that transforms bystanders into confident lifesavers who act decisively when seconds count
