jobpostings

CPR Changes Made Easy

DOWNLOADS

Updated Award Guide Pages (12 pages 525 kb))

2006 Lifesaving Society CPR Update Guide

CPR test sheet 2006

CPR Skills Checklist 2006

CPR Update Confirmation Form

Frequently Asked Questions

When do I start teaching the new protocols?
September 1, 2006 Consult your employer. Lifesaving Socieyt instructors and lifeguards should change their teaching, evaluation or performance of resuscitation skills only when their employers have implemented the new protocols. Many are implementing this fall. Eeryone should be using the new protocols before summer 2007.

When do examiners start evaluating the new protocols?
Through the transition phase, examiners evaluate candidates according to the protocols they were taught. Under no circumstances should candidates for Lifesaving Society awards taught under the current standards be penalized because they do not perform the revised protocols.

When will the revised literature be available?
The Society is releasing the revised literature over the summer, including the Canadian LIfesaving Manual, Canadian First Aid Manual and all award guides.

Chest Compressions for child and adult victims - use 2 hands
Rescuers use 2 hands for chest compressions on both child and adult victims. This simplifies the procedure by providing a single method for adult and child victims and makes it easier for rescuers to learn and retain their compression skills. Many rescuers also find it easier to balance and control their compressions when using 2 hands instead of 1 hand. Still use 2 fingers for infant chest compression. It is also an option to use 1 hand compressions for child victims.

Single compression:ventilation ratio of 30:20 for all victim types
The rescuer performs CPR with repeating cycles of 30 chest compressions followed by 2 rescue breaths for all victim types: infant, child and adult. The 30:2 ratio reduces interruptions in compressions and produces more effective circulation during CPR. A single ratio makes it easier for rescuers to learn and remember thier CPR skills.

When to phone EMS
After determining that the victim is unresponsive, the rescuer should send a bystander to phone EMS. If a rescuer is alone with an adult victim, the rescuer immediately goes to phone EMS.

If the rescuer is alone with an unresponsive, nonbreathing child or infant victim, perform about 5 cycles of CPR (30:2 compressions:breaths) before leaving the victim to phone EMS. In children and infants, cardiac arrest is often due to lack of oxygen and they need CPR as soon as possible. Some child and infant victims may improve immediately due to the initial CPR.

What type of responder is a lifeguard?
The 2005 Guideliens define 2 groups of responders: Lay Responders and Health Care Providers (HCP). In Canada, lifeguards, lifesavers, first aiders and first responders are defined as Lay Responders. Lay Responders also include the general public and family members. Most Lay Responders including lifeguard s will never be required to perform CPR on a real victim and usually have limited access in skill practice. The other responder group is Health Care Providers which includes physicians, nurses, paramedics, etc. HCP responders have access to more advanced skills, training and practice appropriate to a medical enviroment.

If you have a question on the new CPR standards that is not answered in your Update Guide, please contact our branch office.

Updated August 16, 2006

Comments or questions? Contact us at lifeguard@nl.rogers.com