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Summer is finally upon us and with it comes various outdoors activities such as boating, swimming, fishing, and water sports. Despite being safe and wearing personal protection and floatation devices, each year there are tragedies and fatalities that could be avoided. Although learning the basics of swimming is important, those lessons alone aren’t always enough to save a life. Water safety skills combined with knowledge and emergency preparedness are life skills that can save a person.
The Canadian Red Cross has undergone several changes over the years when it comes to cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). One of the key changes to Red Cross courses is teaching compression-only CPR for the lay rescuer.
This new technique of performing CPR has recently emerged based on research that was published in the Circulation Journal and based on new evidence released from the International Liaison Committee on Resuscitation (ILCOR).
When a person collapses suddenly, performing consistent chest compressions will pump the heart and circulate the oxygen that is already in the person’s body. The goal is to keep the blood moving until emergency services arrive. The Canadian Red Cross acknowledges that compression-only CPR is a great alternative for those who are unwilling, uncertain, or unable to provide “full CPR†which includes rescue breathing. For the lay rescuer, “full CPR†consists of 30 compressions to 2 rescue breaths on adults, children and babies.
There are, however, special circumstances when performing compression-only CPR is not recommended, such as a drowning scenario. Compression-only CPR should not be used in a drowning person and rescue breaths are vital as the person’s lungs are filled with water and they do not have adequate stores of oxygen in the lungs or in the blood.
When performing CPR on a drowning person, follow these lifesaving steps:
CPR is easy to learn and can save lives. Water safety skills combined with the latest Red Cross Program Standards and emergency preparedness are life skills that can help save a person. It is important to keep your training up to date and regularly practice your skills. There are several organizations that provide training such as the Red Cross, St. John’s Ambulance, Life Saving Society, or the Heart and Stroke Foundation. Contact your local provider and book your course today.
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Jodi is an authorized Red Cross Training partner who worked her way through school and graduated from the University of Waterloo with a degree in English, focusing on documentation and writing. She has written articles, edited books, created leadership best practices manuals, provided content to websites and created end-user guides. She was even a content provider for magazines such as Reps! Magazine, Status Magazine, Oxygen and Muscle Magazine. A long-term community supporter and local volunteer, she joined the Canadian Red Cross in 2011 and found her passion for facilitation; specializing in first aid instruction, safety and prevention. After writing an article on the world's strongest firefighter, she was inspired to take on a new challenge and in 2013 graduated from Conestoga College with a diploma in firefighting. Straight out of college, she became an authorized provider and Red Cross Training Partner, pooling all her previous experiences and expertise into her small business, Baxter Safety. In 2015 she became a Red Cross Instructor Trainer and joined the Emergency Response Team with Disaster Management, supporting both small and large-scale disasters. Having a strong background in communication and facilitation skills, she became a Psychological First Aid Instructor and expanded her expertise to include Respect Education, Violence and Abuse Prevention. Jodi maintains a small training business providing courses within Ontario focusing on first aid, safety and prevention. She continues to increase her education and experience within the community and volunteers actively in disaster management.
More articles by the writer
Summer is finally upon us and with it comes various outdoors activities such as boating, swimming, fishing, and water sports. Despite being safe and wearing personal protection and floatation devices, each year there are tragedies and fatalities that could be avoided. Although learning the basics of swimming is important, those lessons alone aren’t always enough to save a life. Water safety skills combined with knowledge and emergency preparedness are life skills that can save a person.
The Canadian Red Cross has undergone several changes over the years when it comes to cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). One of the key changes to Red Cross courses is teaching compression-only CPR for the lay rescuer.
This new technique of performing CPR has recently emerged based on research that was published in the Circulation Journal and based on new evidence released from the International Liaison Committee on Resuscitation (ILCOR).
When a person collapses suddenly, performing consistent chest compressions will pump the heart and circulate the oxygen that is already in the person’s body. The goal is to keep the blood moving until emergency services arrive. The Canadian Red Cross acknowledges that compression-only CPR is a great alternative for those who are unwilling, uncertain, or unable to provide “full CPR†which includes rescue breathing. For the lay rescuer, “full CPR†consists of 30 compressions to 2 rescue breaths on adults, children and babies.
There are, however, special circumstances when performing compression-only CPR is not recommended, such as a drowning scenario. Compression-only CPR should not be used in a drowning person and rescue breaths are vital as the person’s lungs are filled with water and they do not have adequate stores of oxygen in the lungs or in the blood.
When performing CPR on a drowning person, follow these lifesaving steps:
CPR is easy to learn and can save lives. Water safety skills combined with the latest Red Cross Program Standards and emergency preparedness are life skills that can help save a person. It is important to keep your training up to date and regularly practice your skills. There are several organizations that provide training such as the Red Cross, St. John’s Ambulance, Life Saving Society, or the Heart and Stroke Foundation. Contact your local provider and book your course today.
Vlad Magdalin
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