Earlier this week, the American Heart Association amended and clarified guidelines for bystanders who witness an adult out-of-hospital sudden cardiac arrest.  The AHA released an advisory calling for compression-only CPR by untrained responders or those who are not confident in performing conventional CPR, which combines chest compressions and rescue ventilations.  The AHA science advisory, “Hands-Only (Compression-Only) Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation: A Call to Action for Bystander Response to Adults Who Experience Out-of-Hospital Sudden Cardiac Arrest” was published in the March 31, 2008, edition of the journal Circulation.

Blue Water First Aid and our affiliate Trainers concur that compression-only CPR is a viable alternative in certain situations to conventional CPR under ILCOR Guidelines 2005, which combines chest compressions with rescue ventilations in a ratio of thirty compressions to two rescue ventilations.  Our American Safety & Health Institute, Divers Alert Network, Emergency First Response, International Training CPROX and MEDIC FIRST AID training programs follow science treatment recommendations and guidelines based on the 2005 American Heart Association Guidelines for Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation and Emergency Cardiovascular Care, and/or ILCOR CPR Guidelines 2005.  Since the AHA advisory amends these specific guidelines, we have begun to update our training materials and class presentation materials to reflect the amended guidelines.

The concept of compression-only CPR has been widely discussed since the 2005 guidelines were released.  Since then, Blue Water First Aid Trainers have been teaching conventional CPR, with the caveat that compression-only CPR can be performed when the rescuer is unable or unwilling to provide rescue ventilations.  It is important to note that compression-only CPR is not recommended for children and infants, adults discovered unresponsive, and non-heart-related arrests such as drowning/diving victims, and persons suffering from a drug overdose.

“This much talked about clarification to the American Heart Association 2005 Guidelines really changes nothing that happens in the classes we offer and teach.  It merely offers assurance to those untrained bystanders, witnessing a sudden cardiac arrest on the streets, that they can perform a possible lifesaving measure with a productive outcome for the patient, even though they have not had formal CPR training,” says Danny Donegan, Master Trainer.  “This amendment to the AHA guidelines is actually more clarification than change for students attending Blue Water First Aid CPR Provider, Instructor and/or Trainer courses regardless of the parent agency.  The amendment to the AHA guidelines does not have an effect on Instructors, corporations or providers’ CPR training or certifications conducted since the release of the ILCOR 2005 Guidelines.  Companies do not need to be concerned of the status or quality of the training they have received over the past years”.

We will quickly disseminate supplemental materials to help provide further information and clarity for Instructors and Trainers who have completed our courses.  Meanwhile, our customers can rest assured that our current training materials do indeed reflect the most current CPR training guidelines available.  Regardless of the approach, high-quality chest compressions with as few interruptions as possible help keep blood pumping from the heart to the lungs and brain, increasing the odds of successful resuscitation.

On all courses a 33% non-refundable deposit or $100 whichever is higher is required. If a valid reason prevents the student from attending the course this fee will be applied to a future course date.
** Full payment is due before the start of class.