Last week saw me access my annual cardio-pulmonary resuscitation training. At the start of the session one member of the group expressed anxiety that the guidance is continually changing. "For the better" said our trainer - reminding us that the guidance is based on evidence. Studies of survival after CPR have influenced the guidance.
As of April this year, but not before, he is allowed to teach the latest methods! This was odd to say the least, but I was pleased to learn that he was happy to fill us in on what the new guidance entailed. In essence, it's all the same BUT instead of 15 chest compressions to 2 breaths we need to do a ratio of 30:2. If we are concerned that as resuscitators we are at high risk of HIV/Hepatitis from resuscitating, then it is acceptable to just do chest compressions (100 per minute) providing the airway can be maintained! Apparently this has been done in the US and survival is as good or better than chest compressions + respirations. Providing the airway is open, chest compressions allow some air in and out of the chest.
See BMJ 2005;331:1281-1282 for "A new international consensus on cardiopulmonary resuscitation"
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