South Central Ambulance Service (SCAS) is the first in England to take the new state-of-the-art technology, known as LUCAS 3, onboard its vehicles.

The device is a mechanical system which can deliver high-quality cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) chest compressions consistently from the moment crews arrive on scene and throughout a patient's journey to hospital without interruption.

CPR is essential to maintaining blood and oxygen flow around the body while a person is unconscious and not breathing.

An SCAS spokesman said: "Once paramedics arrive and begin CPR or take over from bystanders who may have initiated it, the transition from manual compressions to LUCAS can be completed within seven seconds, ensuring continuity of compressions."

The system uses wireless Bluetooth connectivity, allowing it to configure the compression rate, depth and alerts specific to an organisation's resuscitation guidelines.

It also means it can collect data which can be reviewed post-event and shared with other clinicians.