Are the new CPR guidelines necessary for first aid training?

DRS ABCD

• Check for danger
• Check the answer
• SEND HELP
• Open the airway
• Check breathing
• Give 30 chest compressions.
• Connect an AED (defibrillator)

As a first aid trainer, I wish I had a dollar for every time someone asks me if CPR has changed since they last completed a CPR course. Most of the people who attend our one-day first aid courses believe that CPR is continually changing. Now if this is an inconsistency between the trainers I can’t be sure as every time I have attended a CPR course they seem to be consistent, or maybe people don’t renew their CPR qualification as often as they think

However, in December 2010, the Australian Resuscitation Council published a new guide for cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).

Have they made it easier?

In my opinion, NO. They have added an extra letter to the acronym “DRABCD”, which has been around for quite some time. The acronym now reads: “DRS ABCD” with ‘S “which stands for” send for help! “The acronym is no longer a word and no longer resembles the familiar phrase ‘Doctor ABC’. 30 compressions followed by 2 rescue breaths were performed. A fantastic improvement; people actually felt more comfortable learning and remembering the process Now we are making it harder again by adding more steps. This step was always there and I don’t know of a first aid trainer who doesn’t mention the fact that you need to send for HELP or just call for help. I think this new step It is confusing and unnecessary. What if you are alone? How do you send for help, or now we have to explain in our first aid The role of trainers is that when you are alone, this letter means calling for help, Don’t we already?

First aid is supposed to be easy, so people have the confidence to apply simple techniques that can help save a life.

Why do we continually change techniques and in the process make it difficult for people to remember and therefore have less confidence in performance?

What are your comments on this new guideline?

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