SAVE2 – SAVE WHO?

In this post, I would like to discuss various capabilities and limitations of the SAVeII ventilator. My perspective comes from having 21 years of FRONT-LINE advanced training and experience working with and teaching mechanical ventilation and airway management at a level one trauma center in Eastern North Carolina. For the past eight months, I have had the privilege of working with various military special ops medics providing didactic and hands-on training specific to the SAVeII.
SAVeII is a trademark belonging to AutoMed x, Inc. For purposes of this post I am going to reference the SAVeII Operation Manual Document Version M40100 Rev 4.0 (07/16); Firmware Version R1.0.4.
“Remove the guesswork and reduce the operator error” pg.10
The device overview introduction on page 10 of the operator manual starts by saying “The SAVeII is designed to be used in lieu of a Bag Valve Mask (BVM) in the pre-hospital environment or during inter-and intra-hospital transport. It is meant to remove the guesswork and reduce the operator error associated with BVMs and overly sophisticated transport ventilators.” (italics & bold added for emphasis)
Providing Bag Mask Ventilation and Mechanical Ventilation is NOT a guessing game. The reduction of operator error