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Resuscitation Council Guidelines Update

You may be aware that in 2005 there were some changes to the Resuscitation Guidelines. Perhaps the most dramatic changes are those listed below:

1. In the case of an adult the first aider is expected to make a diagnosis of cardiac arrest if the casualty is unconscious and not breathing properly.

2. The first aider should be taught to place their hands in the centre of the chest – saving time that is usually taken using the “rib margin” method.

3. The first aider should give the rescue breath over 1 second rather than 2.

4. The first aider should use the ration of 30:2 compressions to breaths for an adult casualty. The same ratio should be used for children.

5. The First Aiders should omit the initial 2 rescue breaths for an adult and give 30 compressions immediately.

It is acknowledged that there is a need to simplify the guidelines for laypersons to improve the acquisition and retention of skills.

These guidelines were announced on 28th November 2005 and the HSE recommend that the new methods should be taught by the 20th June 2006.

Bostock will start training using the new methods in January 2006 and details of these changes will be distributed in our next mailout. To be included on our regular distribution list - please contact the office. If you have recently been trained please continue to use the method that you were taught until your next update.

For more information click on the following link to the Resuscitation Council web site. To see the new algorithm in PDF format click here.