During the COVID-19 outbreak, it would be natural to wonder what the best practices are for CPR should it need to be performed.
Manager of Learning for St.John’s Ambulance, Chris Schmied, says that each paramedic unit’s protocol is based on jurisdiction. He encourages everyone to reach out to their own region to learn their protocol.
Speaking on provincial standards, Schmeid gives us tips.
He says there are all kind of pathogens, everything from borne to air borne pathogens that can cause danger to a lay rescuer or to someone in the workplace.
Schmied adds that your risk is also determined by who you’re working on.
He reminds everyone that protection is paramount.
We also reached out to Communications Officer for the Halton Police, Ryan Anderson.
In an email he said that they continue to consult with their first aid training providers at St.John’s Ambulance and Workplace Medical Corporation (WMC) with respect to call response in regards to COVID-19.
He says that at this time first aid protocols have remained the same.
Anderson shares the following recommendations that their first training providers gave them should the need arise to perform CPR:
“1. The first aider should always protect themselves by using personal protective equipment (PPE) such as gloves and a CPR mask which offer good protection.
2. Should CPR be required and the first aider does not feel comfortable breathing into the casualty, they may perform hands-only CPR ie, compressions only, no breaths.
Adding that based on situational/scene assessment, screening and history of the causality, mask and googles can also be work to reduce the exposure of bodily fluids.”
