Peak medical body provides updated guidance for basic life support during COVID-19

Ahead of the holidays, updated guidance has been issued for basic life support adjustments in a living with COVID paradigm.

The guidance has been issued by the National COVID-19 Clinical Evidence Taskforce, of which the Australian Resuscitation Council is a member, and was published on 14th December 2021.

Royal Life Saving Society - Australia and the National Aquatic Industry Committee had sought clarification regarding rescue breathing and drowning victims, including children, as previous guidance recommended compression-only CPR. 

The National COVID-19 Clinical Evidence Taskforce Guidance recommends that rescue breaths should be provided to all children and any drowning casualty and recommends that the rescuer uses a bag valve mask where available.

Advising that the guidance was welcome and provides greater clarity for paid and volunteer rescuers across the water safety sector and aquatic industry, Royal Life Saving Society - Australia Chief Executive, Justin Scarr stated “the guidance issued by the National COVID-19 Clinical Evidence Taskforce acknowledges that rescue breaths are critical in saving lives for drowning casualties and children who require basic life support.

“The importance of rescue breaths and considerations towards the safety of first responders has now been addressed. We desperately hope these are actions not needed at aquatic centres over summer.”

The guidance is available in this flowchart.

The National COVID-19 Clinical Evidence Taskforce
The Taskforce brings together the peak health professional bodies across Australia whose members are providing clinical care to people with COVID-19. The guidelines address questions that are specific to managing COVID-19 and cover the full disease course across mild, moderate, severe and critical illness. The Taskforce deploys considerable expertise to ensure every Australian clinician and first responder has access to a single source of trustworthy advice about critical aspects of COVID-19 care.

Click here for more information about the Taskforce.

For more information about the National Aquatic Industry Committee go to www.royallifesaving.com.au/Aquatic-Risk-and-Guidelines/aquatic-industry/national-aquatic-industry-committee