How many of you have taken part in a first aid course and
been bombarded by a truck load of figures and ratios which
you could never recall in an emergency situation? We learn
first aid with Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) just “in
case” we may need to use it one day. Most of us never
will, and those of you that do will probably not need to use
it while all that you have learned is fresh in your mind.
The current ratio for cardiopulmonary resuscitation in an
adult is 5 compressions to 1 breath for 2 operators,
15 compressions for each 2 breaths for one operator; or was
it 5 compressions to 2 breaths for 1 operator and 15 compressions
to 1 breath for 1 operator? Or did I get it the wrong way
around? Perhaps it’s 5 breaths to 2 compressions and
15 breaths to 1 compression? Oh boy, I hope the other guy
that’s standing by can remember the correct figures.
(….and in the meantime the victim is getting no treatment
at all. Get the picture??).
Finally the powers that be have come to their senses and realized
that the average Jo Blow does not need all these figures to
cope with when confronted with an emergency. Here’s
what the authorities have to say:
The rules for saving someone’s life are about to change.
An international committee has agreed to the biggest reforms
in the guidelines on CPR for 20 years. The aim is to make
CPR easier to remember so people will be more willing to use
it.
Most heart attacks happen in the home or at work and bystanders
are typically inexperienced in CPR, or lack confidence in
the training they’ve received which prevents them trying
CPR.
“Its an unfortunate stark reality that less than 50
percent of people who have a cardiac arrest get any CPR or
any resuscitation prior to an ambulance arriving,” says
Ian Jacobs from the Australian Resuscitation Council.
A three year international evaluation of resuscitation techniques
has found people get confused trying to remember the different
methods recommended for adult and child victims. The guidelines
have now simplified to a single formula for all victims”—
30 chest compressions followed by two rescue breaths.
The review also found a longer period of chest compressions
keeps blood flowing to the heart, improving survival chances.
The biggest changes are for children. Previously it was thought
because most children collapsed from respiratory conditions
such as asthma or drowning, that more ventilations were needed.
“Now we’re saying do 30 to two for everyone. So
the message really for everyone is if you come across someone
who’s collapsed in the street or home and needs CPR,
then having one set of numbers to remember, 30/2 makes it
simple,” Jacobs says.
The Resuscitation Council still needs to finalize the CPR
changes with key medical groups such as St John Ambulance
Australia, the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons and
nurse’s associations. However, the changes are certain
to be introduced and taught from February next year (Healthwatch
NineMSN)
And if anyone is interested in doing a first aid course please
contact me at info@chcbali.com and I will certainly point
you in the right direction.
“Kim Patra is a qualified Registered Nurse and Midwife
that has been living and working in Bali for almost twenty
years. She now runs her own private practice and medical referral
service from her Kuta office. Kim is happy to discuss any
health concerns with you and she may be contacted via e-mail
at info@chcbali.com”.
