Online CPR Certification – Changes in Protocol

The alphabet is being rearranged from A-B-C to C-A-B – for CPR protocol, that is. Previously known as the A-B-C sequence (airway, breathing, compression), the American Heart Association has revised the order of steps for CPR to C-A-B (compression, airway, breathing).

This change is one among many released by the association, which updates its emergency care guidelines every five years.

Reasons for revision

Research has shown that rescuers who start CPR with opening the airway and rescue breathing take, on average, 30 seconds longer to begin chest compressions than those who start with compressions immediately. Chest compressions are critical for keeping blood circulating through the body; Starting with chest compressions first can pump blood that still has oxygen in it to the victim’s heart and brain sooner.

“With the new recommendation to change the A-B-C sequence to C-A-B, chest compressions will be initiated sooner with minimal delays to ventilatory assistance,” said Andrew Wolf, Vice President of Online Education at Health Ed Solutions

This change applies to adult and child victims only. Performing CPR on an infant requires different protocol.

C-A-B Explained

How do the steps of CPR work? After you have made sure that the scene is safe and have verified the victim is unresponsive and not breathing or breathing abnormally, perform the three steps: compressions, airway and breathing.

Compressions: The rescuer should push hard and fast on the center of the victim’s chest 30 times, at a rate of at least 100 compressions a minute. The person should push down at least 2 inches with each compression. If the person hasn’t been trained in CPR, he or she should continue to give compressions until medical help arrives and is able to take over.
Airway: If the rescuer has been trained in CPR, he or she can move on to the next step by opening the airway with a head tilt-chin lift.
Breathing: This step also requires the rescuer to be trained in CPR. The person performing CPR should pinch the victim’s nose closed and cover the victim’s mouth with his or hers, creating an airtight seal. The rescuer should give two one-second-long breaths and watch for chest rise as he or she gives each breath. The person should keep giving sets of 30 compressions and two breaths until medical help arrives and is able to take over.

Health Ed Solutions Provides Online CPR Certification

Health Ed Solutions is the foremost provider of training courses for professional healthcare providers seeking online resources. HES offers CPR certification courses for adult, infant and child CPR training, as well as ACLS, PALS, BLS and other first aid courses. To learn more about CPR certification online, visit www.healthedsolutions.com.