In Nov 2005 new CPR guidelines were introduced for the whole world in order to make Basic Life Support (BLS) easier to remember, more effective and easier for people to understand when they need to use it. Now it's a year later and they look like they are here to stay.

Airway, Breathing, Circulation assessed and treated in that order. In cases requiring CPR - 30 compressions to 2 rescue breaths, starting with Compressions. CPR should be started when a patient is unresponsive and not breathing normally. A pulse check is no longer required. CPR should be stopped only when the patient starts breathing again.

The higher amount of compressions to breaths result in a better transport of oxygenated blood to the vital organs and more effective CPR.

However as kayakers we should be aware that drowning victims are suffering from Hypoxia (a lack of oxygen). This means if we give 5 rescue breaths before starting chest compressions our drowning victim will have a higher chance of recovery.

In a recent study at Innsbruck hospital, over the last 18 months, of 19 Trauma patients who received CPR on route to the hospital 4 died from other injuries 15 survived. This information was given in comparison to the statistics of patients who received CPR in hospital (28% of whom were over 80 years old).

I hope this information helps boaters decide to take a First Aid course and keep their certification up to date so they know what to do if the worst happens.

Thanks for the info. Do you have any sources that suggest 5 breaths first? Not disputing I just like to ready studies if you got your info there. I would hope that we would all take a first aid course and hopefull a Rescue course as well. Look at the pin article that went through here recently. That dude would have been screwed if his buddies did not have SRT.

The five inital breaths are the recomedations from the new guidelines (ERC/AHA/ILCOR) for Paediatric basic life support. This has found it's way into the guidelines as almost all cases of CPR needed in children are due to Hypoxia.

QED this is the most suitable treatment for an adult also suffering from Hypoxia.

The \"old\" standard of two breaths was if you like a \"one size fits all\" CPR which has been improved on. However if you can't remember anything else it would work just fine (much better than doing nothing).

neilnt wrote:

Airway, Breathing, Circulation assessed and treated in that order. In cases requiring CPR - 30 compressions to 2 rescue breaths, starting with Compressions. CPR should be started when a patient is unresponsive and not breathing normally. A pulse check is no longer required. CPR should be stopped only when the patient starts breathing again.

It is great to see that people want to get involved when someone else is having a really bad day... However, proper training is key. Yes, the AHA has its new guidelines that have been around for about a year, it takes that long for it to assimilate to the gerneral public and health care workers.
30:2 is correct, but not much else has changed (on the BLS side of things)... Cardio Pulmanary Resusitation / CPR is only done on someone that has NO pulse... Rescue breathing is done to assist someone that is not breathing or not breathing effectively (which if delayed... will lead to a loss of a pulse.... BAD).
A pulse chech is not required as often, because chest compresions are so important. You do need to assure that there is no pusle present before you put your healing hands on someone and start chest compressions. Remember .... do no harm. Compressing a heart between the sternum and the thorasic vertabrea to circulate blood is tramatic to say the least, but if you need it... you need it.
Lastly, if all the moons are alligned right and you glove up with the angel of death and your winning by a nose... one stops chest compressios when a spontaneous pulse returns and stop rescue breathing when there is effective spontaneous beaths are taking place.

Everyone, never mind what you do... should take a CPR class at least. Be glad to have it under your belt, but hope you never have to use it.

Keep in mind that pediatrics are up to the age of 8. It would be less confusing if ya just stick to adult figures...