Big shake up in the world of CPR yesterday. In case you haven't heard the news, the American Heart Association announced yesterday that it's backing compression only CPR for sudden cardiac arrest in adults. Why do I care? For those who don't know, my 'day job' is running a CPR training business. Unfortunately I can't make a living bitching on blogs about birth and breastfeeding- so I just save that for my spare time activity. When I'm being gainfully employed I roam about the city teaching people how to save lives. I got an email from the powers that be telling me to start teaching the new way- NOW. I'm still trying to wrap my brain around the new changes and rushing to read the research so I know what to tell my trainers. Apparently the new data is so compelling (in number of lives saved by the new technique) that AHA couldn't wait until 2010 to make the change (they usually implement new changes every 5 years after their big research conference) . The last big change of 30 compressions, 2 breaths took place in 2005. So starting today, here it is folks:
For adults only do compressions (pushing hard and fast in the middle of the chest, between the nipples with both hands one on top of another, about 2 inches deep into the chest). Do the compressions at the rate of 100 per minute until help arrives. How fast is 100 per minute? Sing the BeeGees song "Ha, ha, ha, ha, staying alive, staying alive, ha, ha, ha, ha, staying alive, staying alive" The cadence of this song is 100 beats per minute. Simply push to the rhythm of the song. And don't stop until help arrives. (You did have someone call 911 didn't you???)
Children and infants, and adults who have drowned or suffered a drug overdose should still get 30 compressions and 2 breaths.
Wednesday, April 02, 2008
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
9 comments:
Laborpayne, the BeeGees song was your idea, or the AHA's? 'Cause it's genius--even I wouldn't forget, even in a situation as stressful as someone dying. Now if I only were as sure about checking a pulse in the first place LOL
Judit,
I'm afraid I can't take the credit. I don't know exactly who to credit but I've heard it come from many sources including AHA. You'll be glad to know that checking a pulse was removed from the process of CPR back in 2005 (unless you are a healthcare professional- in which case- keep checking).
haven't seen the research on this yet and it should be interesting. Surprising that this works as well, isn't it, considering OXYGENATED blood circulating is what saves lives. Of course, that is why we have research, so that we will do what science says is most effective. At least that why we're SUPPOSED to have research. Now if only we could get the childbirth community to practice evidence based....but I digress. Anyway, is this AHA change for healthcare professionals as well or just lay resucers?
Kirsten,
I'm being told its for EVERYONE, including HCPs. You are right on the money, it IS the circulating oxygenated blood that makes all the difference. What the new research is saying is that there is adequate oxygenation in the blood already without stopping to give breaths- so don't waste time stopping to add more oxygen, just start circulating it!
Wow, that makes it so much easier to teach what to do. I actually taught swimming lessons which included safety day and Annie was there. We had to put our mouths on her and do the breathing, and taught it to little children...
So, if they not breathing but do have a pulse you check the airway and breathe for them???? It's been so long, I need an update.
Dawn
For children nothing has changed. The 'hands only' CPR is for adults only.
viagra larger forever does viagra really work soma and viagra prescriptions free viagra splitting viagra viagra without a prescription viagra faq viagra from india Buy Viagra Online No Prescription viagra dosage viagra online stores viagra uterine thickness pharmacy viagra levitra vs viagra generic brands of viagra online
[url=http://www.xbox360achievements.org/forum/member.php?u=259462]buy mexitil online in usa[/url]
[url=http://community.bsu.edu/members/buy+online+Viagra.aspx]Viagra xr online[/url]
Post a Comment