2010 Resuscitation Guidelines




1. When obtaining help, ask for an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) if one is available.   




Previous guidelines indicated a depth of 4-5cm at a rate of 100 per minute. The changes reflect evidence that chest compressions, both inside and outside hospital are often undertaken at insufficient depth and at the wrong rate, both of which are associated with reduced survival rates.  In theory, ‘pressing harder’ will improve on the actual depth achieved. 

Interestingly, studies have shown that untrained lay-people generally deliver chest compressions too slow, whereas medical professionals tend to deliver compressions too fast.  If chest compressions are delivered outside the new guideline rates of 100 to 120 per minute, coronary perfusion drops significantly.  When was the last time you checked your perception of 100 per minute? If you go at the new upper limit of 120, that’s 2 beats per second. Practice it! 

3. Give each breath over 1 second rather than 2 seconds. 




5. CPR including 'mouth-to-mouth' ventilation is the gold standard for those with a duty of care.  For laypeople the emphasis is on chest compressions. 

This is a welcome clarification that teaching rescue breaths is necessary.  ‘Those with a duty of care’ includes workplace first aiders, those who work with children, lifeguards etc. 


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For this reason we always train first aid students to give full CPR including rescue breaths, and can only certify competence in CPR for First Aid at Work or Emergency First Aid at Work courses if the delegate has demonstrated effective rescue breaths. 

We also recommend the inclusion of a Pocket Mask in a First Aid kit for the workplace.  We don't sell First Aid supplies so have no commercial interest in recommending them.  Pocket masks are easier to use and more effective than disposable face-shields.  Their physical size distances the rescuer from the casualty's mouth by about 2" make the process of mouth-to-mouth ventilation more sanitary and psychologically easier to undertake.

6.  Agonal Breathing.


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