FOI 26-033 Mechanical CPR devices
Freedom of Information Request
- Reference
- FOI 26-033 Mechanical CPR devices
- Request Date
- 15 Jan 2026
- Response Date
- 12 Feb 2026
- Information Requested
For the period 1 January 2025 to 31 December 2025 (or the most recent data available), please provide:
- The total number of out-of-hospital cardiac arrests attended by your ambulance service.
- The number of these incidents where a mechanical CPR device was used.
- The number of out-of-hospital ROSC cases:
o where manual CPR only was used, and
o where a mechanical CPR device was used at any point.
- Whether all double-crewed ambulances are routinely equipped with a mechanical CPR device (yes/no).
- The total amount spent by the Trust on mechanical CPR devices during this period (one total figure). If any part of this request exceeds the cost limit, please provide the information that can be released
- Response
Important information to note when interpreting the data - The Scottish Ambulance Service is currently implementing a new clinical system. This phased system has been in place since June 24 and involves only a portion of Scotland. There is the possibility that an incident from the Terrapace 3 system could be counted in the Terrapace 2 system and therefore the figures in the table should NOT be added together.
Q1 and Q2 – Please see the tables below detailing the total number of Out-of-Hospital cardiac arrests from 01/01/2025 - 31/12/2025, and of these incidents how many indicated the use of a mechanical CPR device.
Please note that the data may also include incidents where both mechanical and manual handling methods were used during the same event.
T2 - 2025 - Closure Code Cardiac Arrest
T3 - 2025 - Closure Code Cardiac Arrest
2025
2025
09 Cardiac Arrest
4,776
Cardiac Arrest
6,004
Mechanical CPR
566
Mechanical CPR
673
Q3 – Please see the tables below detailing the total number of ROSC (Return of Spontaneous Circulation) incidents where either manual only CPR was conducted or where a mechanical CPR device was used at any point.
T2 - 2025 - Closure Code Cardiac Arrest, ROSC
T3 - 2025 - Closure Code Cardiac Arrest, ROSC
2025
2025
09 Cardiac Arrest ROSC
369
Cardiac Arrest ROSC
494
Mechanical CPR
119
Mechanical CPR
149
Manual CPR Only
238
Manual CPR Only
331
Q4 – Yes, all A&E vehicles are routinely equipped with CPR devices. Further information on the packing lists for A&e vehicles can be found in a previously answered FOI on the Scottish Ambulance Service website - foi-24-448-vecs_final_19_05_2011_version_1-1-1.pdf
Mechanical chest compression devices (e.g., LUCAS/AutoPulse) are not routinely carried on every ambulance; they are generally deployed via attending RRUs, with A&E vehicles only transporting them for specific cases or once fitted to the patient.
Q5 – The total amount spent by the Scottish Ambulance Service on ‘Mechanical CPR’s’ from 01/01/2025 - 31/12/2025 is £39,193.51
