Why change the guidelines?
The changes in guidelines have been recommended by an International Body (ILCA) which has representatives from organisations and councils throughout the world. The guidelines are the result of the most current resuscitation and first aid science and the result of extensive evaluation of current practice. Data and information were collected from studies around the world, resulting in changes in both CPR and first aid practice.

So what’s different?
Probably the most noticeable difference is the performance of the amount of chest compressions per minute. The chart below summarises new recommended practice. CPR is now simplified by the introduction of the same proportion of chest compressions to breaths being performed on all age groups. Early, HIGH QUALITY, CPR increases survival rates from cardiac arrest and new training will be directed at spending much more time on actually doing CPR and less emphasis will be placed on other checks, such as rhythm and pulse. The National Safety Council courses now supply a DVD of how to perform CPR for each student to take away and practise with. Push hard, push fast and allow complete chest recoil is the message of the day.

Another slight difference is that rescuers are now encouraged to perform 2 minutes of care before calling emergency services (previously 1 minute) in the case of an infant or child. There have also been a number of changes in first aid guidelines.
Some of the most significant changes which involve babies and children are;

1. Ingested poisons
• Do not administer anything by mouth. This includes milk, water, and activated charcoal.
• Do not administer syrup of ipecac.

2. Bleeding control
• Control bleeding with direct pressure
• There is insufficient evidence to recommend for or against elevation and pressure points.

3. Wounds and Abrasions
• Irrigate and clean under running tap water for about 5 minutes or there appears to be no foreign matter in the wound
• Antibiotic ointment or cream can be used on abrasions or superficial wounds

4. Burns
• Cool burns with cool water as soon as possible
• Continue until pain is relieved
• Loosely cover blisters and leave them intact

5. Injuries to bones and muscles
• Apply cold
• Use ice or cold pack
• Do not use refreezable gel packs
• Limit application to around 20 minutes
• Place a barrier between cold container and skin

What about all the old stuff?
Don’t worry. The old first aid and CPR practices saved lives and serious injuries and if you continue to practise according to what you were taught previously it will still be useful. The new guidelines are aimed at more effective practice but in an emergency situation perform what you can remember learning and feel competent doing. However, remember that all CPR certificates must be renewed every 2 years and first aid certificates every 3 years.

Written by Yvonne Heavyside from The Family Zone