With the outbreak of COVID-19 many First Aid Trained people have asked the following question?
“should we be giving rescue breaths”
Advice for those who may need to give CPR has been published and in summary the Resuscitation Council (UK) recommend:
- if you are concerned about contracting the virus, do not to put your ear down to the mouth to check for breathing, instead you are to look for signs of breathing/life.
- If you are in any doubt about confirming cardiac arrest, the default position is to start chest compressions until help arrives as this is much better than no CPR at all.
- Call 999. If COVID-19 is suspected, tell them when you call.
- Early use of a defibrillator significantly increases the person’s chances of survival and does not increase risk of infection.
- If the rescuer has access to personal protective equipment (PPE) (e.g. FFP3 face mask, disposable gloves, eye protection), these should be worn.
- After performing compression-only CPR, all rescuers should wash their hands thoroughly with soap and water; alcohol-based hand gel is a convenient alternative. They should also seek advice from the NHS 111 coronavirus advice service or medical adviser.
- It should be remembered however that in the case of paediatric arrest or where there is a delayed ambulance response not giving rescue breaths could significantly reduce chances of survival, compared to the (at present) unlikely risk of contracting COVID-19, which may only result in mild symptoms if you are healthy.
The Resuscitation Council (UK) Statement on COVID-19 in relation to CPR and resuscitation in first aid and community settings is available to download here
