New Guidelines from the Red Cross
The Red Cross has come out with some new guidelines for CPR and first aid (from the Red Cross website via FireFightingNews.com).
Friday, December 09, 2005 — As the country’s leader in first aid and CPR education, the American Red Cross is working hard to implement newly released first aid and CPR guidelines into training programs. The new Guidelines for First Aid co-developed by the American Red Cross and American Heart Association as well as the American Heart Association’s CPR Guidelines were released on Nov. 28, 2005.The training methods in place now for first aid and CPR are not incorrect nor are they harmful, but improved methods based on new scientific evidence will make it easier for the public to learn CPR and other life-saving skills.
“We are enthusiastic about the new ‘simpler is better’ approach endorsed by research and scientific experts across the country,” says Scott Conner, Vice President of American Red Cross Products and Health and Safety Services. “If learning and remembering these new skills is easier, we feel that the average person will have more confidence to respond to an emergency, and more lives will be saved.”
I think this is a good approach. If you don't use a skill often, it is pretty easy to forget the specifics. Simplifying CPR and first aid techniques will make it easier to remember how to help someone who needs it.
Be sure to follow the link above to read a brief summary of the changes. It looks like these changes will actually take place in the spring of 2006.
