New CPR guidelines will save more lives

The American Red Cross has established new procedures for Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and First Aid – based on the latest discoveries in CPR and First Aid techniques – to help save more lives.
Techniques are reviewed every five years by health and safety experts from around the world.
&#8220These new guidelines should allow everyone trained in CPR and First Aid to help more people and to save more lives,” said Tom Waring, senior director of health and safety services for the Red Cross.
The new guidelines require resuscitators to perform cycles of 30 chest compressions followed by two breaths. In the old technique resuscitators performed 15 chest compressions to two breaths for adults and five chest compressions to one breath in children and infants.
The new guidelines also address conscious choking victims, requiring rescuers to employ a series of five back blows and five abdominal thrusts.
The Red Cross, in conjunction with the American Heart Association, has also developed new guidelines to control bleeding. They recommend applying direct pressure firmly over the bleeding area until bleeding stops or EMS rescuers arrive, and with no elevation as was previously recommended.
&#8220Many people have had some kind of first aid training either back in high school, on their own, or through employers,” Waring states. &#8220However, more formal training that provides CPR certification and the latest emergency care information is the best method to understand how to respond during breathing, cardiac and other emergencies.”
Classes in CPR and First Aid are offered frequently on weekdays and weekends at the local Queens Red Cross in Briarwood, for the lay person as well as professional rescuers. To help save a life call, 718-558-0053 or go to www.nyredcross.org.