American Heart Association(AHA) vendors will be releasing the new materials for it 2010 Healthcare Provider BLS CPR at the end of March, 2011. The new materials will reflect the AHA’s newest recommendations. It’s primary concern appears to be the importance of correct compressions to keep the blood pressure at a level that circulates oxygenated blood to the heart and brain. In this vein (that’s a joke), the AHA has reduced the focus on determining the patient is breathing in order to start compressions sooner. Also, providers who cannot detect a pulse within 10 seconds must immediately move on to compressions. As a result, the old acronym ABC has been modified to CAB for Circulation, Airway, Breathing.

   Find out more by scheduling a CPR class today. It’s easier than you think.

   The American Heart Association wants you to save lives. Therefore they have simplified CPR. The new 2011 recommendations stress the importance of blood pressure by performing high quality chest compression in a timely manner.

   To reach these goals they’ve changed their A-B-C sequence to C-A-B: Compressions, Airway, Breathing. Upon reaching the victim, the rescuer should check for response by tapping the shoulder of the victim and shouting, “Are you alright?” At the same time scan the torso for any signs of breathing. AHA stresses that this is a rapid assessment. If the patient is not responsive and doesn’t appear to be breathing, assume a cardiac event has taken place. Call 911 and immediately start compressions.

   High quality compressions are essential for the survival of the patient. Place your hand in the center of the chest between the nipples. Put your other hand on top of the first and interlace your fingers. Now push fast and push hard. In between compressions allow the chest to reform as this improves venous return. How hard and fast should you push? The AHA recommends to push at a rate of AT LEAST 100 compressions a minute and compress the chest of an adult AT LEAST 2 inches. If you haven’t had any training simply continue compressions until a trained responder arrives.

   Want to learn more? Contact us here at Community 1st Aid and CPR.

The American Heart Association will soon be publishing it’s new recommendations for 2011