Life support — DRS ABC

Summary of changes

Addition: Personal Protective Equipment in view of COVID pandemic

Deletion: recommendations on use of monophasic monitors with view that monitors in remote settings are usually biphasic

Medicines: Additional Amiodarone dose (infusion 2.5mg/kg) added for paediatric patient when normal rhythm is restored

Other

  • changed compression per minute from 100 to 100-120
  • Retained recommendation to use jaw thrust as a life saving measure if chin lift is not effective despite  not being included in ARC guidelines. This continues to be a life saving alternative in the remote context when other assistance is not available
  • Updated recommendations for clearing of airways and compressions to reflect updated ANZCOR guidelines

Primary references

  1. American Heart Association (2020) 'Part 7: Systems of Care: 2020 American Heart Association Guidelines for Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation and Emergency Cardiovascular Care', Circulation, 142(16 Suppl 2):S580-S604, doi:10.1161/CIR.0000000000000899

  2. American Heart Association (2020) 'Part 5: Neonatal Resuscitation: 2020 American Heart Association Guidelines for Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation and Emergency Cardiovascular Care', Circulation, 142(16 Suppl 2):S524-S550, doi:10.1161/CIR.0000000000000902

  3. American Heart Association (2020) 'Part 4: Pediatric Basic and Advanced Life Support: 2020 American Heart Association Guidelines for Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation and Emergency Cardiovascular Care', Circulation, 142(16 Suppl 2):S469–S523, doi:10.1161/CIR.0000000000000901

  4. Australian and New Zealand Committee on Resuscitation (2018) ANZCOR Guideline 11.2 – Protocols for Adult Advanced Life Support, The ARC Guidelines, accessed 11 January 2022.

  5. Australian and New Zealand Committee on Resuscitation (2016) ANZCOR Guideline 12.3 - Flowchart for the Sequential Management of Life-Threatening Arrhythmias in Infants and Children, The ARC Guidelines, accessed 11 January 2022.

  6. Australian and New Zealand Committee on Resuscitation (2016) ANZCOR Guideline 11.6 - Equipment and Techniques in Adult Advanced Life Support, The ARC Guidelines, accessed 11 January 2022.

  7. Australian and New Zealand Committee on Resuscitation (2016) ANZCOR Guideline 11.6.1 - Targeted Oxygen Therapy in Adult Advanced Life Support, The ARC Guidelines, accessed 11 January 2022.

  8. Australian and New Zealand Committee on Resuscitation (2016) ANZCOR Guideline 12.2 - Advanced Life Support for Infants and Children: Diagnosis and Initial Management, The ARC Guidelines, accessed 11 January 2022.

  9. Australian and New Zealand Committee on Resuscitation (2021) ANZCOR Guideline 5 - Breathing, The ARC Guidelines, accessed 11 January 2022.

  10. Australian and New Zealand Committee on Resuscitation (2021) ANZCOR Guideline 6 - Compressions, The ARC Guidelines, accessed 11 January 2022.

  11. Australian and New Zealand Committee on Resuscitation (2021) ANZCOR Guideline 7 - Automated External Defibrillation in Basic Life Support, The ARC Guidelines, accessed 11 January 2022.

  12. Australian and New Zealand Committee on Resuscitation (2021) ANZCOR Guideline 8 - Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR), The ARC Guidelines, accessed 11 January 2022.