Cristian Abelairas-Gómez1, Pablo Vázquez-González2, Sergio López-García3, José Palacios-Aguilar4, Alexis Padrón-Cabo5, Antonio Rodríguez-Núñez6. 1. University School of Health Sciences, European Atlantic University, Santander, Spain; CLINURSID Research Group, Departamento de Enfermería, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Galicia, Spain. Electronic address: cristian.abelairas@uneatlantico.es. 2. Helicopter Rescue Swimmer of Spanish Maritime Safety Agency, Spain; University School of Sport Sciences and Physical Education, University of A Coruña, A Coruña, Spain. 3. University School of Education, Pontifical University of Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain. 4. University School of Sport Sciences and Physical Education, University of A Coruña, A Coruña, Spain. 5. University School of Education and Sport Sciences, University of Vigo, Pontevedra, Spain. 6. CLINURSID Research Group, Departamento de Enfermería, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Galicia, Spain; Nursing School, Pediatric Emergency and Critical Care Division, Clinical University Hospital, University of Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, Spain; Institute of Research of Santiago (IDIS), Santiago de Compostela, Spain; SAMID Network, Madrid, Spain.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: Our objective was to assess the cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) quality by helicopter rescue swimmers (HRSs) while flying. METHODS: Twenty HRSs from the Spanish Maritime Safety took part in this study. The research protocol included 2 phases: a baseline test (5 minutes of CPR on land) and a challenge test (5 minutes of CPR on a Sikorsky S-61N helicopter in-flight). A Laerdal Resusci Anne mannequin with Laerdal PC Skill Reporting (Stavanger, Norway) was used to register CPR variables. RESULTS: CPR quality on land versus in-flight was not significantly different. The mean chest compression (CC) depth (52.6 mm on land vs. 51.9 mm in-flight) was inside the recommended range, but mean CC rate (133 vs. 132 per minute), tidal volume (752 vs. 888 mL), and hands-off time (9 per cycle in both tests) were above the 2015 recommended goal. Incomplete chest re-expansion was observed in 19% of on land and 26% in-flight CCs. CPR quality was maintained throughout the 5-minute challenges. CONCLUSION: HRSs are able to perform CPR in a flying helicopter with similar quality to CPR on land. They need additional training to avoid excessive CC rates, tidal volumes, and hands-off times and to permit chest re-expansion.
OBJECTIVE: Our objective was to assess the cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) quality by helicopter rescue swimmers (HRSs) while flying. METHODS: Twenty HRSs from the Spanish Maritime Safety took part in this study. The research protocol included 2 phases: a baseline test (5 minutes of CPR on land) and a challenge test (5 minutes of CPR on a Sikorsky S-61N helicopter in-flight). A Laerdal Resusci Anne mannequin with Laerdal PC Skill Reporting (Stavanger, Norway) was used to register CPR variables. RESULTS: CPR quality on land versus in-flight was not significantly different. The mean chest compression (CC) depth (52.6 mm on land vs. 51.9 mm in-flight) was inside the recommended range, but mean CC rate (133 vs. 132 per minute), tidal volume (752 vs. 888 mL), and hands-off time (9 per cycle in both tests) were above the 2015 recommended goal. Incomplete chest re-expansion was observed in 19% of on land and 26% in-flight CCs. CPR quality was maintained throughout the 5-minute challenges. CONCLUSION: HRSs are able to perform CPR in a flying helicopter with similar quality to CPR on land. They need additional training to avoid excessive CC rates, tidal volumes, and hands-off times and to permit chest re-expansion.
Authors: Allart M Venema; Marko M Sahinovic; Albert J D W R Ramaker; Yvette N van de Riet; Anthony R Absalom; J K Götz Wietasch Journal: Front Public Health Date: 2021-07-06