Science: Constant Upgrades

Re-evaluation of methodology is one of those things that helps determine whether you're looking at something that has scientists involved or not. If a discovery is made that improves a procedure in a noteable way, it will be adopted, even as the new method is examined for possible flaws or inefficiencies.

And so it is with CPR. The new recommendations are for 30 chest compressions for every 2 breaths instead of the 15/2 ratio currently used. (Note that this is for applying CPR on your own: increase the breath frequency if there is someone there to help you.) There is still a question as to whether cardiopulmonary resuscitation or an automated external defibrillator is a better choice (if one is available). An AED was recently used when Jiri Fischer of the Detroit Red Wings had a seizure with cardiac arrest on the bench during a game against Nashville, and it's low price (about $1500) has many people wondering if they shouldn't be part of every medical supply room in stadiums across North America. They are only if people are trained with them and present to help, but the same is true of CPR.

This is the second major procedural change I can remember since first learning CPR: the "chest thump" was found to be far less effective than compressions, even if the compressions were applied slightly wrong.

Back to class for me, I guess!