Introduced in the 1970s by Medical Research Laboratory (MRL), the AMB-PAK integrated a defibrillator, EKG scope, and paper printout device, all in a rugged aluminum case. The AMB-PAK was used by many paramedic services throughout the country despite its size and weight.

This was a 46 pound unit: 5″ screen (really great clear steady non-fade image) standard-size EKG paper. Single channel: switch wires to switch leads. Too heavy to carry the entire unit in a city with many stairs. The screen pulled out and fit perfectly under the head pillow on a Ferno-Washington Model 30-TC between the aluminum rails. Pre-911 and early 911 days, the only rhythms to be found were Sinus, Atrial Fibrillation, and Asystole. So the odds were that the defibrillator wouldn’t be needed. Caught short once. We carried a can of “Right Guard” deodorant to help electrodes adhere, after wiping with alcohol and drying, if the patient was diaphoretic. The selector for Joules was in delivered vs. stored energy.[Enlarge image to see scale.] One Doctor gave an order for 500 Joules (thinking stored rather than delivered energy). The Paramedic running the call with the greatest aplomb and comedic timing dead-panned “I haven’t *got* 500, Doc. How about 300 now, and 200 later?” One shock of 300 was all that was needed. It was a fine, robust instrument, built with standard components. Ideal if you didn’t need it to leave the ambulance, but too heavy. Each month, with no extremes of patient weights or number of calls, we would pack fifteen (15) Tons up and down stairs. Life Pack 5 was a great relief. – Ancient Paramedic (2014)

Submitted to NEMSM on February 2008, author unknown, NEMSM Collection