First-aid recommendations for both bystanders and emergency responders have traditionally concentrated on situations like chest pain, bleeding, and recognizing signs of a stroke. However, these guidelines have now been revised to include new protocols for dealing with opioid overdoses, open chest injuries, and various other emergencies. The updated recommendations, put forth by the American Heart Association and the American Red Cross, were presented in the journal Circulation this past Thursday, marking the first overall update since 2010.
According to Dr. Elizabeth Hewett Brumberg, who co-chairs the writing group for the updates and serves as an assistant professor of pediatrics at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, these changes address the evolving public health challenges faced today. “These updates aim to equip trained professionals and the general public with essential, lifesaving skills that are more important now than ever,” she stated in a news release.
Dr. Brumberg elaborated on the significance of first-aid training, emphasizing that recognizing an emergency is the first step in providing care. “Identifying if someone is ill or injured, assessing the situation, and prioritizing their needs are all vital aspects of first aid,” she noted. The updated guidelines are built on solid evidence, reaffirming strategies that reflect common practices among emergency responders while offering more detailed information on fundamental first-aid topics.
Moreover, these revisions offer guidance for bystanders on how to identify when someone requires professional assistance and how to utilize available tools and medications effectively. Noteworthy additions to the guidelines include comprehensive instructions for a variety of scenarios, such as opioid overdoses, tick bites, episodes of faintness, open chest wounds, external bleeding, spinal motion restrictions, seizures, heatstroke, hypothermia, frostbite, chest pain, and strokes.
Dr. Matthew J. Douma, co-chair of the writing group and a professor of critical care medicine at the University of Alberta in Canada, emphasized the importance of acting within one’s capabilities while providing help and showing respect for those in need. He advocates for participating in first-aid courses to acquire the necessary skills for emergency care. “We understand that first aid saves lives; thus, proper training, ongoing skill maintenance, and keeping a first aid kit readily available are crucial,” he remarked.