First Aid Manual: The Tenth Edition

During my course we were issued with a shiny new copy of the (revised) ninth edition manual.

Before I had time to turn the calendar over, out came 10^th edition . . .

Why Do They Do That?

The First Aid organisations (listed right) periodically review injury statistics and accident reports. By correlating the data they can judge the effectiveness of practiced techniques, with a view to improving the results.

An obvious example of this is the number of compressions given in CPR. The (current) 'standard dose' is 30:2 compressions:breaths, at a rate of 100 - 120 per minute.

(Or 2Hz, as myself and colleague think of it.)

In my hoary old sixth edition it says 15:2 compressions at 80 per minute, or 5:1 with two aiders present, and even 10 breaths per minute for 'ventilation only'.

My sister remembers originally learning 20:2, but since a more recent re-qualification is up to speed, as it were.

There is an as-yet undetermined optimum ratio slowly being homed-in on. It represents the balance point between blowing oxygen in and out of lungs full of static blood, and pumping incompletely oxygenated blood round a body.

Obviously the statistics so far show better results with increasing compression count. This will presumably end at some point, and I can even see the 'best' value being decided on after a reduction.

The problem with gathering such statistics is that it takes time. It relies on a large number of random occurrences - you can't make people need CPR just to see how effective it is!

Keep Calm and Resuscitate

Actually the 6^thed. is worse than just giving out-of-date numbers - it also gives different rates for adults, children and babies. I come to suspect that although optimising the success rate of techniques ('best practice' in the modern parlance) is the primary reason for updating the book, making it easier to remember for its users, such as giving just one compression rate for all CPR, is also a serious consideration.

For owners of earlier editions, is it worth buying a new one?
Depends which one you've got.

6^thed. is full of stuff that looks cranky now - it advises finger-sweeping the mouth every other page, now advised against with equal fervor. Replace!

9^thed. is pretty similar, so is worth keeping. The new feature of Tenth is 'choking children', so if you have a young family, or work with kids, it may well be worth a punt for you.

Not Only, But Also . . .

S^t Andrew's Ambulance are offering a Vehicle First Aid Kit & Manual Bundle. Looks like 9^thed. in the picture, but if the caveat above doesn't apply it's still a useful combination, especially if you need a travel kit. : [UPDATE - looks like 10th now. ]

In fact they have several 9^thed. and kit offers - about a fiver off. Whilst stocks last, I assume.