New Resuscitation Guidelines

As most of you are aware, the new Resuscitation Guidelines were announced on Monday. We intentionally waited a few days to allow time to review the information. It is important that you realize that right now we are in the "assimilation period." This means that before implementing anything we must take the time to carefully read and understand the changes. The information listed and linked below is the consensus of ILCOR (International Liaison Committee on Resuscitation).

The American Heart Association has yet to release exactly what they will adopt of the guidelines and exactly how they will adopt them. They will release this via the ECC Guidebook that will be available in November of
this year. Upon the AHA curriculum release in November we will again take a few days to review the information. Our plan and commitment is to provide you with very specific instructions as to how to implement the curriculum. We will provide you with details as soon as they are available. Additionally, we intend to hold workshops for those of you who would like to get the information in a personal setting and with skills review using the new algorithms.

Per the latest AHA memo course textbooks, exams and instructor support materials will be available in the following time periods:

BLS - April, 2011

ACLS - June, 2011

PALS - September, 2011

In addition to updates from the Center, it is important that every instructor has access to the instructor network. If you are not already a member, please sign up immediately for the instructor network by logging on to: www.ahainstructornetwork.org

Listed below is important information for you to start "assimilating" between now and late November:

AHA Announces New CPR Sequence in
2010 AHA Guidelines for CPR
& Emergency Cardiovascular Care
No More A-B-Cs; now it’s
C-A-B!

For more than 40 years, we’ve learned the ABCs of CPR – Airway, Breathing and
Compressions. Now, in new 2010 AHA Guidelines for CPR & ECC, released early this morning, AHA
recommends C-A-B, Compressions, Airway and Breathing. The new C-A-B sequence allows rescuers to start with the simplest step, chest compressions, and helps to remove barriers to starting CPR immediately. The AHA Guidelines for CPR & ECC continue to emphasize high-quality CPR, focusing on delivering effective chest compressions with minimal interruptions.

Many of the changes and recommendations included in the new CPR and ECC guidelines are designed to simplify CPR and increase bystander response, ultimately saving more lives.

Some additional key changes include:

• A new recommended compression depth of at least 2 inches
• A new recommended compression rate of at least 100 beats per minute
• The elimination of “look, listen and feel for breathing”
• The continued recommendation that untrained rescuers provide Hands-On-CPR
• A universal sequence (algorithm) for adult CPR
• New protocols for EMS activation and training
• And much more
• Visit www.Heart.org/CPR to access the full 2010

AHA Guidelines for CPR & ECC in the journalCirculation, Guidelines Highlights (summary of changes), news coverage, media materials, charts, graphics and more.

AHA Instructors, please make sure you are registered and confirmed with the AHA Instructor Network in order to access your Official Guidelines Instructor Update – coming late-November.

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Please review the attached comparison charts.

These are exciting times in resuscitation science, education and delivery. I am honored to be associated with each of you and speak for the staff and instructors that we will support you in every way possible to achieve your training goals and ultimately reduce morbidity and mortality from acute coronary syndromes and stroke.

At your service,

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