The Latest European Safety Innovations

Earlier this month the EMS Safety Foundation returned from its annual excursion to RETTmobil. Held each year in Fulda, Germany, RETTmobil is Europe’s leading exhibition for rescue and mobility products and is world-renowned for showcasing innovations in EMS safety.

The annual journey is spearheaded by the founder and research director of the EMS Safety Foundation, Nadine Levick, MD. A delegation of foundation members descends on the European trade show to observe and document its forward-thinking ideas. Ultimately many of these ideas can be used to improve the safety of EMS practice in the United States.

This year proved to be an exceptional one for the RETTmobil delegation. Members both new and seasoned saw what is by now common European EMS safety technology, but also an unusual number of new and extremely innovative designs.

Common Features Seen at RETTmobil

• High-visibility colors and reflective striping—Vehicles, equipment (including fire hoses) and uniforms came in highly visible fluorescent colors, such as yellow and orange, additionally highlighted with retroreflective striping. 
• Small, compact vehicles—Most vehicles are small and light, making them safe and fuel-efficient. 
• Efficient use of space—Use of limited space is wisely designed. Equipment is stored in unique but easily accessed areas.
• Safer interior surfaces—Ambulances feature molded plastic interiors, with minimal exposed equipment and cabinets. 
• Removable patient transport chairs—These are compact wheeled chairs that can be taken to the patient, then secured forward-facing for transport. 
• Equipment requiring little or no lifting—Stretchers are of a no-lift H-frame design or use a power-loading system. Stair chairs are powered. Medical bags are wheeled.

New Ideas Seen at RETTmobil 2016

• Increased use of the Sprinter chassis—Most manufacturers seem to exclusively use this chassis, some even for fire department command vehicles and hazmat response units. One manufacturer displayed a fire suppression vehicle with a hose reel and tank for foam. 
• Increased reflective striping—Vehicles feature retroreflective outlining of their profiles, wheels and steps, as well as open compartments and doors. 
• Increased options for securing equipment—We saw many varieties of quick-release clips for mounting equipment to walls, doors and compartment interiors.
• LED highlights—Strips of LED lights highlight the rear deck, wheel wells, steps and grab bars.
• Extremely lightweight stretchers and stair chairs—These devices have become smaller and lighter, using fiberglass, aluminum and carbon fiber. Two manufacturers offer lightweight stretchers that easily fold into stair chairs. 
• Powered door assist—This provides smooth, quiet and automatic curb-side door closure.
• Mini ECG monitor—A cell phone-size device, held between the patient’s hands, displays a view of lead II. 
• Personal lightning strike detector—Worn on the belt, this provides a warning of lightning strikes within a 40-mile radius.
• Telepresence robot—The EMS Safety Foundation brought Andi, its telepresence robot. With a two-wheeled, Segway-like body, iPad head and internet-based controls, this device allowed members back in the U.S. to navigate it around and view the displays at RETTmobil.                                                                                                                              

As a veteran visitor to RETTmobil, I was excited to see an increase in new ideas this year. Let’s hope these examples will inspire U.S. services and manufacturers and help improve EMS safety on this side of the pond.

Look for additional details regarding these innovations in a future edition of EMS World Magazine. For information on next year’s delegation to Germany, follow https://www.emssafetyfoundation.org/.

Be safe!

David J. Turner, BS, IC, NRP, has more than 20 years of experience in EMS as a provider, fire/EMS lieutenant, field supervisor, educator and author. He has been a member of the EMS Safety Foundation for eight years. Dave is currently a flight paramedic and educator in Albuquerque, NM, where he works with MedFlight Air Ambulance.