Resuscitation During the Coronavirus Pandemic
Resuscitation Council UK, the UK’s resuscitation experts, have issued updated COVID-19 guidance for those who need to perform CPR in an out of hospital situation. They are urging people to familiarise themselves with these key skills in case they need to help a loved one in need.
This updated guidance advises against performing rescue breaths (commonly called ‘mouth to mouth’) and encourages rescuers to put a piece of material over the mouth and nose to reduce the risk of infection.
If someone is unconscious and not breathing normally, do not put your face close to theirs. Call for an ambulance, and use a towel or piece of clothing and lay it over the mouth and nose. Do not do mouth to mouth. Start chest compressions to the tempo of “Stayin’ Alive” and use a Public Access Defibrillator if available.
During this pandemic we will still teach the usual method of resuscitation but will explain the above modification.
