Barren-Metcalfe EMS first in Kentucky to use new COVID-19 helmet that helps patients breathe

GLASGOW, Ky. – Barren-Metcalfe EMS is implementing a new medical device for COVID-19 patients and it’s the first one in the state of Kentucky. 

“Being the first ground agency potentially in the nation to have this, that is very exciting,” said critical care paramedic Nathan Heffron. 

This new device is called the Sea Long helmet. The clear plastic, enclosed helmet increases air pressure so a patient has an easier time breathing.

“So these patients access 911 and or go to the hospital for breathing difficulty and they feel like they are starving for air. So this helmet is a way we can immediately apply high airway pressure and increase the overall pressure in the lungs and that opens up those little LV lines and helps oxygenation happen,” said Director of Clinical Services Eric Bauer.

The hope is that the helmet prevents the patient from needing to be on a ventilator or become intubated, while also protecting the care providers from the risk of catching COVID-19. 

“When we think of how we can better serve our community, our family, our friends in this area, I love how we can bring a higher level of technology to this area and really impact the patients,” said Bauer. 

Bauer said that there will be a team of about six paramedics trained to use the device on patients. It’ll make the lives of the EMS team easier.

“On these transfers when we’ve got about an hour and a half of transport time to continue to provide positive pressure ventilation to these patients with zero interruption of care and reduce possible infection, so it not only provides tremendous benefit to the patient in that sense but it also keeps us safe as providers,” said Heffron.  

Final training and testing is taking place over the next couple of days and EMs officials plan to implement usage in the next 10 days.