First aid procedures are constantly evolving.
When I first learned to do Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation in 1991, OMG that was a long time ago, the procedure was very different to the way it is performed now.
Way back then we had many options from which to choose:
Expired Air Resuscitation (breathing only)
Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation 1 person technique,
Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation 2 person technique
These had different rates and timings for infants, children, older children and adults.
First aiders were taught to start by giving 5 full breaths and then trying to find a pulse in the carotid artery.
There was great emphasis on determining whether or not there was a pulse which would indicate that the victims heart was still beating because, it was taught, that if the rescuer made a mistake and commenced compressions on a victim who's heart was beating, they would stop the heart resulting in the death of the victim.
That was a lot of pressure to put a would be rescuer under, particularly if they had to make this life or death decision about a loved one.
Thankfully, this is no longer necessary.
Medical and First Aid procedures are constantly being researched by medical professionals, universities and stakeholders all over the world and this knowledge shared.
In 1992 the International Liaison Committee on Resuscitation (ILCOR) was formed to facilitate this sharing of knowledge to save more lives throughout the world. Made up of resuscitation and medical organisations including the American Heart Association, European Resuscitation Council, Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada, as well as resuscitation councils from, Australia, New Zealand, Asia, Southern Africa and The Americas they meet twice every year and produce The Guidelines every 5 years.
The rate of heart compressions has for years been taught to the beat of The Bee Gees song "Stayin' Alive" as the disco beat was about 100 per minute.
Now research has shown the rate should be between 100 and 120 per minute.
In 2007 a video by South Korean artists became a huge hit, especially in South East Asia and there are some training organisations now using this to train to as the beat is 110 per minute.
Will I now have another annoying song stuck in my head for years?
You be the judge :-)
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