More Control over Ventilation during Resuscitation | Hendrik Gehrdau
Chest Compression Synchronized Ventilation (CCSV) is a ventilation mode that provides support at exactly the moment when every second counts – during resuscitation. Hendrik Gehrdau works as an emergency paramedic for the German Red Cross (DRK) in the district of Harburg – in our interview, he describes how CCSV noticeably improves the resuscitation process and teamwork.
Ventilation in emergency medical services: rare, but crucial
Ventilation is the exception in emergency medical services – but a patient stopping breathing is the worst thing that can happen. Speed and precision are particularly important during resuscitation. And this is where CCSV comes in – a ventilation mode that recognizes chest compressions and adjusts precisely to them. For Hendrik, this innovation has made a noticeable difference: “CCSV works with me, not against me.”
A call-out that left an impression
Hendrik has been working in emergency medical services for over 15 years. He is driven by the opportunity to really help in exceptional situations. One of these situations was the last time he performed a resuscitation – alongside the police.
“As the first responders, the police were already performing chest compressions. The ambulance had a longer journey to get to the rural location, so the emergency physician and I arrived first. The first responders helped us and initially performed chest compressions. After intubation and the start of mechanical ventilation, the CCSV immediately showed the compression frequency. This was clear, immediately understandable feedback for everyone in the room, including our police colleagues. There was no need to constantly check the quality of the chest compressions. This freed up our minds for other tasks and made working together much easier.”
He describes CCSV as “ventilation that adapts to the rhythm of the team instead of disrupting it” – a decisive advantage over traditional IPPV: “I often got the feeling that the machine was working against my compression. CCSV keeps everything synchronized.”
Why CCSV is part of the future of emergency ventilation
For Hendrik it is clear: “Unsynchronized ventilation can be dangerous, especially during resuscitation, where the lungs are already under a lot of strain. CCSV prevents excessive pressure peaks. It feels more controlled and gentler. In my opinion, it is simply better for the patient.”
This feedback does not only come from subjective perception. “Medical management is aware of the study situation and supports this ventilation mode.” Hendrick is sure: CCSV is not a gimmick – it is necessary to improve the care of resuscitation patients in the future. Demographic trends and the rising incidence of lung diseases such as COPD call for reliable, practical solutions. “We don’t need 20 different ventilation modes, but we do need the right ones. IPPV, BiLevel, CPAP and CCSV on one device like MEDUMAT Standard² is perfect.”
Why he would recommend CCSV
His appeal to other EMS field providers is clear: “Give it a try. Trust the technology. The feedback is good – and for me personally, CCSV makes all the difference. I have control over my ventilation again – at the very moment when it counts the most.” The Harburg district German Red Cross has integrated CCSV into their regular internal resuscitation training courses. This ensures that they can also use new technologies in rare situations such as resuscitation. He describes the cooperation with WEINMANN as open, solution-oriented and practical: “WEINMANN listens. They really want to know how things are going in day-to-day operation. And we have not yet had a device failure – that speaks for the quality of the devices.”
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