FIES Group offers keys for cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) adapted to the Covid-19

According to data from the Ministry of Health , it is estimated that in Spain about 50,000 cardiac arrests occur annually, with 45,000 deaths from this cause. In these situations, the early start of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (a set of measures intended to provide oxygen temporarily to the tissues and mainly to the brain), and rapid defibrillation using a defibrillator, improve the survival rate by more than 70% . "In moments of pandemic crisis such as the current one, extreme prevention and safety measures must be taken when performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation maneuvers, since there is a risk of cross infection ," says Carles Galán, one of the professionals responsible for the company FIES Group, a center recognized and accredited by the Catalan Resuscitation Council and by the Health Department of the Generalitat de Catalunya for training in basic life support and use of the DEA.

Recommendations for CPR

'During CPR maneuvers, it is very important to take all self-protection measures. It is highly recommended that the acting team have respiratory protection masks, preferably FFP2 ' , says Antoni Albiach, one of the company's health professionals. ' With the existence of COVID19 and before the patient is unconscious, respiration cannot be assessed by opening the airway and bringing our face closer to the victim's mouth-nose, checking for respiration must be assessed visually . At the beginning of the life support maneuvers, it is advisable to cover the victim's mouth and nose with a surgical mask or cloth, ' adds Albiach.

If more than one rescuer is available, chest compressions should be started immediately while the AED is approaching, provided it is at a close distance. "We recommend that in the place where the DEA has been installed, a pair or three of masks be kept for use during the intervention, both for the intervention team and for the victim," says the FIES Group health professional. Likewise, and according to the indications of the European Resuscitation Council, the technique of mouth to mouth, or mouth to mask, is totally discouraged.

'By expert teams, a good measure, also recommended by the European Council and in order to improve oxygen supply, is the placement of an oxygen mask on the patient's face, preferably a mask with a Monaghan-type reservoir, connected to a source of oxygen and in turn, above said mask, place a surgical mask, exclusively performing chest compressions' , concludes Albiach.

Start of training

Fies Group, a training center with more than 20 years of experience, has restarted its teaching activity this week, following all the security measures, protocols and established procedures, both for the companies that hire their services, and for the workers themselves. The company has a team of trainers made up of a group of highly qualified professionals who carry out their activities in the different fields of emergencies, prevention and health.