Health Sciences Association of Saskatchewan donates five LUCAS 3.1 chest compression devices to strengthen emergency response across Saskatchewan
Emergency teams and communities across Saskatchewan will soon benefit from enhanced lifesaving technology following the donation of five LUCAS 3.1 mechanical chest compression devices from the Health Sciences Association of Saskatchewan to the Saskatchewan Health Authority. The devices will support rural emergency medical services staffed and supported by Health Sciences Association of Saskatchewan members.
The Health Sciences Association of Saskatchewan (HSAS) is a union representing over 4400 specialized health care professionals across the province including over 500 paramedics.
The donation, valued at more than $100,000, will support emergency medical services teams in La Loche, Beauval, Estevan, Weyburn and Esterhazy — communities identified by the Saskatchewan Health Authority as high-priority locations based on call volumes and historical cardiac arrest data. These units will be integrated into service in the coming weeks.
The LUCAS 3.1 device delivers automated, consistent chest compressions at the correct depth and rate, improving the quality of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) during cardiac arrest while reducing responder fatigue. By ensuring continuous, high-quality compressions, the device frees paramedics to focus on other critical tasks such as airway management, medication administration and scene coordination — especially valuable during long transports and in rural settings where staffing may be limited.
“Health Sciences Association of Saskatchewan is proud to support rural emergency medical services with this donation. Paramedics in rural communities provide critical, life-saving care, often under challenging circumstances and over long travel distances,” said Karen Schmid, Health Sciences Association of Saskatchewan President. “We are pleased to contribute equipment that will help them continue this vital work and improve patient outcomes across rural Saskatchewan.”
HSAS emphasized that this contribution reflects its commitment to supporting both rural paramedics and the communities they serve.
“This donation directly strengthens frontline emergency care in our province,” said Rod MacKenzie, Executive Director, Provincial Clinical & Support Services-Community Care, Saskatchewan Health Authority. “The LUCAS devices support our teams by delivering consistent, high-quality chest compressions, essentially acting as an extra set of hands during CPR. They also enhance provider safety by reducing the need for staff to perform manual compressions for prolonged periods, allowing paramedics to focus on other critical aspects of patient care.”
Health Sciences Association of Saskatchewan thanks the Saskatchewan Health Authority for its collaboration in identifying priority sites to ensure the devices make the greatest possible impact on patient care across Saskatchewan.
