New First Aid Guidelines Released in 2020

Like all other areas of healthcare, first aid guidelines are frequently revised in order to ensure that patients receive the best treatment possible. Every five years, the American Heart Association updates its emergency care recommendations. Here are some of the key changes listed in the 2020 first aid guidelines.

Which guidelines changed?

1. Snake Bites: The guidelines for treatment of snake bites were altered to include the recommendation that a first aid provider should use a pressure immobilization bandage for venomous snake bites in order to apply pressure around the entire length of the bitten extremity.

2. Anaphylaxis: When treating someone who has gone into anaphylactic shock, if symptoms persist after the victim has received one epinephrine injection and medical help is delayed, the rescuer may give the victim a second injection.

3. Severe Bleeding: Under the new guidelines, a person treating someone for severe bleeding should not use hemostatic agents or tourniquets unless absolutely necessary. These methods should only be used by professional rescuers in cases where applying direct pressure to the wound is not effectively controlling the bleeding. This revision was made due to the fact that hemostatic agents vary in effectiveness and can cause adverse effects.

Which guidelines stayed the same?

1. Jelly Fish Stings: During revision, experts reaffirmed that vinegar serves as the best treatment for jelly fish stings in order to neutralize the venom and potentially stop it from spreading. Soaking the stung area in hot water remains the best practice for reducing pain.

2. Chest Pain: Experts agreed that providing aspirin to a person experiencing chest pain still serves as a best practice for first aid guidelines. Someone experiencing chest pain should chew on two low-dose baby aspirin tablets or one regular-dose aspirin tablet while waiting for medical help to arrive.

First Aid Study Guide at Health Ed Solutions

Health Ed Solutions offers online first aid training, ACLS, PALS, BLS, CPR and AED certification course. ACLS and PALS courses were designed for healthcare professionals.