First aid. How to give during the coronavirus pandemic?

A short training video on how to provide first aid in case of sudden cardiac arrest during the coronavirus epidemic was prepared by police rescuers - teachers of the Police School in Słupsk.

The video shows how to deal with a person who has lost consciousness as a result of sudden cardiac arrest (SCA). In connection with the coronavirus pandemic, the European Resuscitation Council, whose recommendations are also used by the Polish emergency services, has published a special document with recommendations for first responders. Changes to the current rules are shown in the video below.

For non-paramedics, the most important changes in caring for an unconscious person with SCA are:

The assessment of consciousness should be carried out by shaking the victim and calling him.

When evaluating your breathing, look only at your chest and abdomen for normal breathing movements. To minimize the risk of infection, do not block the airway or keep your face close to the victim's mouth/nose.

See also: How to save fuel?

Health care providers should consider covering the casualty's mouth with a cloth or towel before starting chest compressions and defibrillating the casualty with an automated external defibrillator (AED). This may reduce the risk of airborne spread of the virus during chest compressions.

Upon completion of resuscitation, rescuers should wash their hands with soap and water or disinfect them with alcohol-based hand gel as soon as possible, and contact the local health facility for information on post-exposure screening tests for suspected or confirmed COVID individuals. -19