LifeNet South Carolina Elevates Patient Care and Crew Safety with Deployment of Zoll® AutoPulse® NXT

Device proven to be critical in emergency air medical transport of cardiac patients

The LifeNet South Carolina program is reinforcing its commitment to safety and clinical excellence by integrating the ZOLL AutoPulse® NXT automated CPR device into their emergency air medical helicopters. As part of Air Methods, the nation’s leading air medical service provider, the LifeNet SC bases in Camden, Laurens, Orangeburg, and Pickens County now carry and are ready to use the device.

The ZOLL AutoPulse NXT enables LifeNet South Carolina clinicians to deliver high-quality, uninterrupted CPR while ensuring their own safety during flight. The devices also allows for local EMS agencies and hospitals to call for transport while a patient is in active CPR – something they were typically unable to do in the past.

“Utilizing the ZOLL NXT Autopulse device ensures high-quality, circumferential chest compressions, and when paired with the CPR mode on our Hamilton T1 ventilators, it offers certain patient populations a great chance of survival,” said LifeNet SC flight paramedic Jacey Stone. “This hands-free approach allows our clinicians to remain safely secured during flight operations, while still delivering critical care interventions.”

Unlike manual compressions, which can be inconsistent and physically exhausting, the AutoPulse NXT delivers continuous, high-quality CPR without interruption, ensuring a more effective resuscitation process. The device’s innovative design also eliminates the need for removal during patient loading and unloading, allowing seamless transitions while maintaining uninterrupted compressions. Furthermore, its compact size ensures compatibility with every aircraft in the Air Methods fleet, making it a practical and efficient addition to the company’s life-saving equipment.

“ZOLL is proud to partner with Air Methods on advancing resuscitation care in their fleet,” said Randy Keaney, Strategic Account Manager of ZOLL Medical. “Autopulse NXT provides high quality circumferential chest compressions to a wide patient population and can continue CPR from the scene to the ER to the Cath Lab.”

This initiative aligns with advancements in emergency cardiac care, including the increased use of Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO) and the growing need to transport patients experiencing cardiac arrest to Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (PCI)-capable cardiac facilities. With AutoPulse NXT, LifeNet SC crews can focus on identifying and addressing the underlying causes of cardiac arrest, rather than the physical demands of manual compressions.

Air Methods collaborated closely with ZOLL to provide direct feedback during the development of the AutoPulse NXT, which was released in 2024. The rollout of AutoPulse NXT across Air Methods bases nationwide began in April 2025, accompanied by training programs and resources to ensure seamless adoption among clinicians.

For photos and video of the ZOLL AutoPulse® NXT automated CPR device, click here.