Performing CPR During COVID 19

Treatment of Cardiac Arrest during Covid 19

Unresponsive patients; If the patient is unresponsive, check for breathing without using the look,listen and feel (ear to the patient’s mouth) process. Check the casualty’s colour and look for rise and fall of the chest. Cardiac arrest occurs when the heart stops beating normally, so the casualty will be unconscious, not breathing and no pulse.

Patients in cardiac arrest should have compression only CPR applied. An AED should be used as normal. As CPR is an aerosol generating procedure the first aider should wear a FFP2 facemask to minimise aerosol transmission. The casualty’s nose and mouth may be covered with a tissue/cloth. Do not come in contact with the face. Wash and sanitise  hands before and after treatment.