September 13, 2006 – The new simplified cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) techniques will be the only ones to be taught in Canada as of 1er January 2007.
These new standards were adopted in November 2005 by the International Liaison Committee on Resuscitation, made up of specialists in first aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation recognized nationally and internationally.
Three of the main organizations offering training1 in this area across the country – the Heart and Stroke Foundation, the Lifesaving Society and the Red Cross – say they needed time to update their documentation before they started teaching the new standards to the public.
“But some of our instructors who felt comfortable doing it started teaching them in January 2006,” reveals Nelson Godbout of the Quebec Heart and Stroke Foundation.
These new standards make it easier to learn and practice CPR techniques, while increasing their effectiveness. They modify many of the elements that have been taught until now, including the compression-to-breath ratio.
No more taking the pulse
The old standards recommended sequences of 15 chest compressions (the famous “cardiac massage”) interspersed with two breaths (“mouth-to-mouth”). From now on, rescuers will perform sequences of 30 chest compressions interspersed with two breaths.
Studies show that effective chest compressions create more blood flow to the heart and the rest of the body, which can delay the onset of defibrillation (the “electric shock” that can restart a stopped heart by a few minutes).
In addition, the pulse measurement that preceded the start of resuscitation attempts is eliminated. It is indeed very difficult to determine whether the heart of an unconscious person is beating or not, especially for a neophyte under stress. Henceforth, the mere inability to “wake up” an unconscious person is sufficient to undertake resuscitation techniques.
Intervene quickly
It would be difficult to downplay the importance of the rapid – even immediate – intervention of a qualified rescuer. According to various studies, the chances of surviving cardiac arrest drop from 7% to 10% for every minute that passes before the onset of defibrillation. Twelve minutes after cardiac arrest, chances of survival are less than 5%2.
The Heart and Stroke Foundation points out, however, that high-quality CPR contributes “significantly to the success of resuscitation of victims of cardiac arrest.”
Less than 6% of Canadians trained
However, the population tends to be pulled by ears when it comes time to receive this training: less than 6% of Canadians would be trained in CPR, compared to 98% in the city of Seattle where the success of such training is required to obtain the high school diploma.
The lack of time, the belief that “it only happens to others”, the perception that these techniques are reserved for professionals and certain fears related to the contraction of infectious diseases are all factors cited by those who choose to not to learn these techniques … Excuses which will hold less and less the road.
“With the new standards, some of the training courses only last three hours,” explains Françoise Filteau, injury prevention coordinator at the Red Cross. And in our classes, people also learn how to use pocket masks and gloves, which greatly reduces the risk of contamination. “
Jean-Benoit Legault – PasseportSanté.net
1. To find out the schedule of cardiopulmonary resuscitation courses offered in your region, consult the website of the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Quebec (www.santeducoeur.org), of the Lifesaving Society (www.sauvetage.qc.ca ) and the Red Cross (www.croixrouge.ca). [consultés le 13 septembre 2006]
2. For more details on this subject, see the American Heart Association website: http://circ.ahajournals.org [consulté le 13 septembre 2006]