North Myrtle Beach Times Serving our Community and the Grand Strand for over 50 years
By Ruben Lowman
Horry County Fire Rescue is enhancing its emergency medical services with the rollout of five new LIFEPAK 35 cardiac monitors, a move designed to provide more precise and rapid care for heart-related emergencies.
These advanced devices, which function as both diagnostic monitors and life-saving defibrillators, have been strategically placed on medic units that respond to the highest call volumes and most critical patients across the county.
The new fleet is currently operational at Station 2 in Little River, Station 18 at Stephens Crossroads, Station 20 in Scipio, Station 23 at University and Station 29 in Conway.
The transition to the LIFEPAK 35 marks a significant shift from the previous hardware used by local paramedics. While older models required first responders to wait for paper findings to print before fully analyzing a patient’s condition, the new equipment features a fully digital display.
According to HCFR Medical Training Captain Chad Loyd, this digital interface eliminates crucial wait times in the field, allowing paramedics to see heart data instantly on the screen and make immediate treatment decisions.
While a paper copy can still be generated later for hospital records, the priority in the field has shifted toward real-time digital assessment to improve patient outcomes in high-pressure environments.
In addition to the speed provided by the digital screens, the new monitors offer a more comprehensive view of a patient’s cardiac health through an increased number of electrode stickers. By attaching more sensors to the patient, paramedics can gather a more detailed picture of what is happening with the heart, allowing for more accurate pre-hospital care.
This upgrade was driven by feedback from the first responders within the department who are constantly seeking more progressive protocols and tools to handle the challenges of field medicine.
The deployment of these five units is part of a broader commitment by HCFR to maintain the most modern equipment available for both the local community and visitors.
By investing in these progressive tools, county leadership aims to empower their providers with the best possible technology to handle cardiac events. As Captain Loyd noted, the goal of pursuing these upgrades is to ensure that pre-hospital care in Horry County remains at the forefront of medical technology, directly benefiting the residents and visitors who rely on these emergency services.
