STA Update Regarding the Reinstatement of Practical Rescue Breaths in Tutoring and Assessment of CPR
Posted on 7th November 2022
Following updated guidance from Resuscitation Council UK (RCUK), the First Aid Awarding Organisation Forum (FAAOF) have agreed to reinstate the inclusion of rescue breaths in tutoring and assessing of CPR.
Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (including chest compressions and ventilations) is a critical intervention to saving lives. The risk associated with COVID-19 has decreased because the majority of the population have been immunised, and more effective treatments and less virulent strains of COVID-19 now predominate.
New evidence has emerged suggesting a low likelihood that airway management manoeuvres are aerosol generating, leading to the removal of airway management manoeuvres from the list of aerosol generating procedures (AGP). Click here for further information.
Considering the importance of rescue breaths, the risk to benefit ratio, the RCUKs updated guidance, and in agreement with the FAAOF:
STA will now require ATCs to include tutoring and assessing of rescue breaths for CPR in all relevant qualifications.
If a learner is unwilling to demonstrate rescue breaths, they will not achieve the required assessment criteria and will therefore not be deemed competent to pass the course.
STA strongly recommends that ATCs maintain their hygiene and cleaning procedures, as well as have good ventilation within training rooms.
If you have any questions regarding this update, please do not hesitate to contact us.