Innovative solutions for mobile patient monitoring in offshore rescue operations
Offshore platforms – rescue operations in such remote locations present medical personnel with extraordinary challenges. Extreme weather conditions, limited access to medical care and long response times require specialized solutions in order to care for patients safely. This is exactly where X-Strategies comes in, specializing in tailor-made rescue and medical services in such environments. Founded by Patrick Ackermann, the company develops innovative approaches to emergency care. cosinuss° spoke to the experienced paramedic about how our mobile patient monitoring technology can support rescue teams in their work.
About the interview partner:
Patrick Ackermann is a paramedic and has worked in emergency operations in Switzerland, South Africa and the USA. In 2021, he founded X-Strategies GmbH, which offers specialized rescue and medical services, especially for offshore and onshore projects.
Mr. Ackermann, you are a qualified paramedic HF and founded the company X-Strategies in 2021. How did that come about?
In 2007, I began my career as a paramedic in emergency rescue in Switzerland and internationally with internships in South Africa and the USA. The combination of directly helping people and the adrenaline-charged environment of emergency medicine, as well as the knowledge of doing something good, fascinated me from the very beginning. In 2021, I wanted to start my own company to put my knowledge and experience into practice.
With the Covid-19 outbreak, X-Strategies GmbH was founded. Before that, we mainly focused on training lay helpers and professionals. With the Corona outbreak, I became involved in the canton of St. Gallen, where I held the position of operational and medical director of a vaccination center. When the demand for vaccinations declined, I was asked by a pharmacy chain to train and support them. When this also declined in the pharmacies, I suggested offering various tests and also offering this on a mobile basis at major events. We implemented this with around 78 employees at the time.
A colleague from Germany contacted me at the time and asked if I would be interested in working in the renewable energy sector in the wind power sector. As there was a shortage of staff in this area, we established ourselves in this field.
What are the activities and objectives of X-Strategies?
X-Strategies is a leading provider of specialized rescue and medical services, especially for offshore and onshore projects. Our services include the creation of rescue and medical concepts, rescue site support and rescue at height and depth. We also offer specialized marine medicine, remote and expedition medicine to ensure medical care in remote or extreme environments. Other services include vaccination and testing operations, telemedicine consultations and repatriations by land, sea and air. Another important pillar is training on demand – both for lay people and professionals. Our aim is to offer customized solutions to ensure the safety and well-being of our customers in challenging environments.
What special challenges do medical personnel face in offshore rescue operations?
Medical personnel involved in offshore rescue face unique challenges such as extreme weather conditions, the remoteness of the location and limited medical equipment. Our teams often have to operate in extreme conditions, such as high and deep rescue or rescue operations on ships. In addition, response times are longer due to the distance to hospitals, which makes the role of telemedicine and precise first aid on site particularly important. Rescue teams also need to be flexible and mobile to work effectively in different environments such as construction sites or offshore platforms.
How can cosinuss° technology help you overcome these challenges?
cosinuss° sensors are ideal for continuous, precise and space-saving monitoring of vital parameters in offshore and remote environments, such as during rescue operations or expeditions. In emergencies, such as high-altitude or deep-sea rescue, the sensors provide valuable real-time data that enables us to quickly assess a patient’s state of health and make informed decisions. In telemedicine in particular, the integration of these sensors allows us to provide even more accurate and faster remote care, which is invaluable in remote areas.
The in-ear sensor c-med° alpha is placed in the left ear of a worker on an offshore platform (test of the sensor during a height rescue operation).
How did you become aware of cosinuss°?
We became aware of cosinuss° due to the increasing importance of wearable technologies in emergency medicine. Our constant search for innovative solutions to improve our services led us to cosinuss°. The ability to continuously monitor vital signs in real time perfectly matched our requirements for operations in extreme environments, whether at sea, on expeditions or on construction sites.
What experience have you already had with cosinuss° sensors?
Our experience to date with cosinuss° sensors has been consistently positive. The sensors have proven to be very reliable, particularly in high-altitude rescue operations on offshore platforms. In one specific case, we were able to quickly make the right decision for a medical evacuation thanks to the precise monitoring of a patient’s vital signs on a remote construction site. The device could be given directly to the height rescuer and used. This allowed the rescue service to prepare for the patient and make clarifications.
The orange transport and charging box contains two c-med° alpha sensors and fits easily into a jacket pocket (testing the sensor during a height rescue operation).
What particular advantages have resulted from the sensors?
The sensors offer us the advantage that they can be easily and simply integrated into the operation without burdening the patient. They enable continuous monitoring of vital parameters, which is extremely important in stressful or dangerous situations – such as rescues from heights or depths. They also improve our telemedical advice, as we can access important health data in real time and take immediate action before patients are even brought to a clinic.
What potential do you see for cosinuss° technology?
cosinuss° technology has the potential to further revolutionize our rescue and medical services. The ability to monitor even more vital signs in real time and integrate this data into our existing systems could further increase the efficiency of our operations. Particularly in offshore rescue or extreme expeditions, this technology could help take medical care to a new level and significantly improve the safety of teams and patients. We also see great potential in integrating this technology into our training courses for medical staff and laypersons in order to further optimize operational readiness and decision-making.
Thank you for the interesting conversation, Mr. Ackermann!
Photo credits: Patrick Ackermann
The c-med° alpha was tested by Patrick Ackermann during a rescue training exercise.
