James Elam
Encyclopedia
James Otis Elam, was a U.S.
M.D. and respiratory researcher.
Based on his research at the Buffalo's Roswell Park Memorial Institute for understanding carbon dioxide
absorption, he developed a prototype ventilator device that efficiently could absorb carbon dioxide during surgery, dubbed the Roswell Park ventilator. This was further developed into the Air-Shields Ventimeter ventilator that were used for a period of almost 50 years.
Elam contributed significantly to the development and understanding of modern rescue breathing, cardiopulmonary resuscitation
(CPR), and brought it to the attention of the medical community and the general public. In 1954, Elam was the first to demonstrate experimentally that cardiopulmonary resuscitation
(CPR) was a sound technique, and together with Dr. Peter Safar
he demonstrated its superiority to previous methods.
Elam wrote the instructional booklet Rescue Breathing, which was distributed throughout the U.S.
in 1959. He later produced films demonstrating the life-saving technique and contributed with Peter Safar
in the development of a mannequin called Resusci Anne
, produced by Laerdal
of Norway
, that allowed the public to learn the technique in a safe manner.
Elam received his medical doctorate from Johns Hopkins School of Medicine
in 1945. For his achievements in emergency medicine, Elam received a United States Army
Certificate of Achievement, and in 1962, the Albert O. Bernstein Award, the Medical Society of the state of New York's highest honor.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
M.D. and respiratory researcher.
Based on his research at the Buffalo's Roswell Park Memorial Institute for understanding carbon dioxide
Carbon dioxide
Carbon dioxide is a naturally occurring chemical compound composed of two oxygen atoms covalently bonded to a single carbon atom...
absorption, he developed a prototype ventilator device that efficiently could absorb carbon dioxide during surgery, dubbed the Roswell Park ventilator. This was further developed into the Air-Shields Ventimeter ventilator that were used for a period of almost 50 years.
Elam contributed significantly to the development and understanding of modern rescue breathing, cardiopulmonary resuscitation
Cardiopulmonary resuscitation
Cardiopulmonary resuscitation is an emergency procedure which is performed in an effort to manually preserve intact brain function until further measures are taken to restore spontaneous blood circulation and breathing in a person in cardiac arrest. It is indicated in those who are unresponsive...
(CPR), and brought it to the attention of the medical community and the general public. In 1954, Elam was the first to demonstrate experimentally that cardiopulmonary resuscitation
Cardiopulmonary resuscitation
Cardiopulmonary resuscitation is an emergency procedure which is performed in an effort to manually preserve intact brain function until further measures are taken to restore spontaneous blood circulation and breathing in a person in cardiac arrest. It is indicated in those who are unresponsive...
(CPR) was a sound technique, and together with Dr. Peter Safar
Peter Safar
Peter Safar was an Austrian physician of Czech descent. He is credited with pioneering cardiopulmonary resuscitation.- Early life :...
he demonstrated its superiority to previous methods.
Elam wrote the instructional booklet Rescue Breathing, which was distributed throughout the U.S.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
in 1959. He later produced films demonstrating the life-saving technique and contributed with Peter Safar
Peter Safar
Peter Safar was an Austrian physician of Czech descent. He is credited with pioneering cardiopulmonary resuscitation.- Early life :...
in the development of a mannequin called Resusci Anne
Resusci Anne
Resusci Anne, also known as Rescue Anne, Resusci Annie or CPR Annie, is a training mannequin used for teaching cardiopulmonary resuscitation to both emergency workers and members of the general public. Resusci Anne was developed by Norwegian toy maker Åsmund Laerdal, based on the research of...
, produced by Laerdal
Laerdal
Laerdal is a major manufacturer of medical equipment and medical training products based in Stavanger, Norway. Established in 1940 as a print shop, it soon began manufacturing popular rubber toys under the name Tomte Laerdal. Parallel to this was the manufacture of medical training models and...
of Norway
Norway
Norway , officially the Kingdom of Norway, is a Nordic unitary constitutional monarchy whose territory comprises the western portion of the Scandinavian Peninsula, Jan Mayen, and the Arctic archipelago of Svalbard and Bouvet Island. Norway has a total area of and a population of about 4.9 million...
, that allowed the public to learn the technique in a safe manner.
Elam received his medical doctorate from Johns Hopkins School of Medicine
Johns Hopkins School of Medicine
The Johns Hopkins School of Medicine , located in Baltimore, Maryland, U.S., is the academic medical teaching and research arm of Johns Hopkins University. Hopkins has consistently been the nation's number one medical school in the amount of competitive research grants awarded by the National...
in 1945. For his achievements in emergency medicine, Elam received a United States Army
United States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
Certificate of Achievement, and in 1962, the Albert O. Bernstein Award, the Medical Society of the state of New York's highest honor.