Recommendations in the approach and treatment of cardiorespiratory arrest adapted for Covid-19

FIES Group, as a Center recognized and accredited by the Catalan Resuscitation Council and by the Department of Health for training in basic life support and use of the DEA, wants to extend the recommendations of the European Resuscitation Council in the approach and treatment of cardiorespiratory arrest highlighting the following points:

1- Take all self-protection measures. It is highly recommended that the acting team have respiratory protection masks, preferably FFP2.

2- Before the unconscious patient, assess the breath visually and in no case open the airway or approach the victim's mouth or nose .

3- Cover the victim's mouth and nose with a surgical mask or cloth.

4- Give priority to the application of the DEA (as long as it is at a close distance) in case of being a single rescuer. If more resuscitators are available, chest compressions should be started immediately as the AED approaches.

5- Do not use the mouth-to-mouth or mouth-mask technique to perform ventilations.

6- To improve the oxygen supply, two possibilities arise. As far as possible and due to a technical matter, of the two possibilities indicated, we recommend placing an oxygen mask on the patient's face (preferably a mask with a Monaghan reservoir), connected to an oxygen source and at the same time Place a surgical mask over the oxygen mask and perform CPR only with chest compressions .

Only by following these guidelines and acting with the utmost care can we ensure that the risks of contagion are greatly minimized.

Let's take care