SECONDS COUNT... ACT FIRST

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is an emergency medical procedure used to maintain a flow of oxygenated blood to the brain, heart and vital organs in victims whose heart has stopped beating, enhancing their chances of survival and significantly reducing the changes of permanent brain injury.

CPR is an important life skill which can be used in many situations including submersion incidents and drowning. Unfortunately a large majority of people do not know CPR techniques which often results in drowning victims receiving no resuscitation efforts until paramedics arrive.

Promoting the life-saving qualities of CPR, WaterSafe Auckland, together with the seven Auckland councils, ACC, Leisuretime Spa and Pools and St John has developed a CPR chart outlining the new CPR recommendations with step-by-step procedures, for infants (0-1yr) and children (1-8yrs).

The chart is weatherproof so it can be attached outside on the pool fence, or in the bathroom, for quick reference should it be needed.

Recent research* has identified the need for early commencement of CPR and stressed the need for all parents, caregivers and individuals to learn CPR techniques. Key findings include:

• 73% of drownings in the 0-14 yr-old age group occur in home pools
• The victim’s mother is most often (30%) the rescuer and most often the CPR provider (28%) with the father much less (18%) the provider, stressing the need for both parents to learn CPR
• Any resuscitation, even if performed incorrectly, leads positive clinical  outcomes 18% of the time
• Shorter durations of submersion (less than 1 minute) were associated with better clinical outcomes. Children with longer durations (greater than 5 minutes) resulted in poorer clinical outcomes (i.e. brain damage)
• Children with good clinical outcomes were 4.75 times more likely to have received immediate resuscitation
• To ensure a victim receives immediate CPR parents should always actively supervise their children near water and should learn infant and child CPR

* Kyriacou, Arcinue, Peek & Kraus (1994). Effects of Immediate Resuscitation (Resus) on Children with Submersion Injury.

Download a copy of this research or the CPR chart from the Resources panel at right.

For details of First Aid and CPR training in your area contact your local health provider, or follow the Related Links at right.