CPR During COVID-19

CPR is just part of a process that can make a massive difference to outcomes when someone suffers a Cardiac Arrest.

Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) needs the person helping to push hard and fast on the centre of the casualty’s chest at the rate of about 2 a second and driving down about 5-6cms and keep going until the Ambulance Service arrive.

Rapid defibrillation with an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) will make the biggest difference to outcomes but CPR & AEDs need to be used together for the best outcomes and AEDs are widely available in shops, offices, gyms and the public space just to name a few possibilities.

Part of the CPR process is the use of Rescue Breaths (the Kiss of Life) but during COVID-19 this is not encouraged because of the risk of cross-infection.

Once you’ve established that the casualty is not breathing normally, then place a cloth or towel of some sort over their face and start CPR at once, making sure that the Ambulance Service has been called. Ask a bystander to get an AED if there is one nearby and the Ambulance Service will be able to tell you where the nearest publicly available AED is.

Continue with CPR (with or without an AED) until either the professionals arrive and take over, the patient regains consciousness or you are so exhausted you cannot continue. Ideally about every 2 minutes get someone else to take over from you.

If time permits wear a face mask and gloves if you have them available.

More information can be found on the HSE website by clicking here or by contacting us to book a course.