Attentive Safety News

Interruptions of CPR and more specifically interruptions of chest compressions should be avoided whenever possible.
Responders should maintain at least a 60 percent chest compression fraction time (the proportion of time that chest compressions are being delivered during the course of a resuscitation) with a goal of 80 percent to improve outcomes.
Every second matters and several strategies have been incorporated into the program to assist responders to improve their CCF percentages.

Learn more in our BLS for Healthcare Provider Class.

Scene size-up: Checking for severe life-threatening bleeding is now part of the initial impression within the scene size-up to provide care in a more timely manner.

Checking for responsiveness: To check for responsiveness, responders should use a "shout-tap-shout" sequence - first shouting to determine resonsiveness, then tapping the shoulder of and adult or child (or the foot of an infant) to elicit a response, and then shouting again.

Primary assessment: Breathing and pulse check occur simultaneously during the primary assessment. This check should take at least 5 seconds, but no more than 10 seconds.

​Learn more in our BLS for Healthcare Providers Class.

For patients in respiratory arrest from a suspected opioid overdose, professional responders may consider the administration of naloxone (Narcan) based upon local protocols, rules and regulations.

The primary focus for any patient will be supporting ventilations and CPR if necessary over the administration of a medication. Learn more in our First Aid CPR AED class.

​For a wound that is bleeding severely, if direct pressure fails to control the bleeding or is not possible, application of a manufactured (commercial) tourniquet or a hemostatic dressing can be considered. Learn more in a First Aid CPR AED Class.