Practice abstract
British Dental Journal 202, 209 - 212 (2007)
doi:10.1038/bdj.2007.136
Subject Category: Implants
Adult and paediatric basic life support: an update for the dental team
D. S. Gill1, S. K. Gill2, C. J. Tredwin3 and F. B. Naini4
- New basic life support guidelines for the management of adult and paediatric cardiopulmonary arrest have recently been recommended by the Resuscitation Council UK.
- Greater emphasis has been given to the delivery of chest compressions during basic life support.
- This paper will update the dental team about the management of cardiopulmonary collapse within dental practice and encourages widespread dissemination and discussion of these principles.
Abstract
The aim of this paper is to review the current Resuscitation Council (UK) basic life support guidelines. The main changes made to the guidelines published in 2000 are that for adult basic life support no initial rescue breaths should be delivered before commencing chest compressions and that the compression to ventilation ratio should be 30:2 irrespective of the number of rescuers. For children over the age of one year, two rescuers should provide life support with a compression to ventilation ratio of 15:2. There is still a need to deliver rescue breaths before starting compressions in the child patient.
- Consultant Orthodontist/Honorary Senior Lecturer, UCL Eastman Dental Institute, London and Honorary Consultant Orthodontist, Great Ormond Street Hospital, London
- SHO in Accident and Emergency Medicine, Whipps Cross Hospital, London
- Lecturer/Honorary SpR in Restorative Dentistry, UCL Eastman Dental Institute, London
- Consultant Orthodontist, St George's Hospital and Kingston Hospital, London
Correspondence to: D. S. Gill1 e-mail: daljit_s_gill@yahoo.co.uk