Lay-rescuers in drowning incidents: A scoping review

Objective: Many victims of drowning fatalities are lay-people attempting to rescue another. This review aims to identify the safest techniques and equipment (improved or purpose made) for an untrained bystander to use when attempting a water rescue. Method: A sample of 249 papers were included after the bibliographic search, in which 19 were finally selected following PRISMA methodology and 3 peer review proceeding presented at international conferences. A total of 22 documents were added to qualitative synthesis. Results: Geographical location, economic level, physical fitness, or experience may vary the profile of the layrescuers and how to safely performa water rescue. Four lay-rescuers profiles were identified: 1) Children rescuing children in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), 2) Adults rescuing adults or children, 3) Lay-people with some experience and rescue training, 4) Lay-people with cultural or professional motivations. Three types of techniques used by those lay-rescuers profiles: a) non-contact techniques for rescues from land: throwand reach, b) non-contact techniques for rescue using a flotation device and, c) contact techniques for rescue into the water: swim and tow with or without fins. Conclusion: The expert recommendation of the safest technique for a lay-rescuer is to attempt rescue using a pole, rope, or flotation equipment without entering the water. However, despite the recommendations of non-contact rescues from land, there is a global tendency to attempt contact rescues in the water, despite a lack of evidence onwhich technique, procedure or equipment contributes to a safer rescue. Training strategies for lay-people should be considered.Financiado para publicación en acceso aberto: Universidade de Vigo/CISU

Can a voice assistant help bystanders save lives? A feasibility pilot study chatbot in beta version to assist OHCA bystanders

Objective: Evaluating the usefulness of a chat bot as an assistant during CPR care by laypersons. Methods: Twenty-one university graduates and university students naive in basic life support participated in this quasi-experimental simulation pilot trial. A version beta chatbot was designed to guide potential bystanders who need help in caring for cardiac arrest victims. Through a Question-Answering (Q&A) flowchart, the chatbot uses Voice Recognition Techniques to transform the user's audio into text. After the transformation, it generates the answer to provide the necessary help through machine and deep learning algorithms. A simulation test with a Laerdal Little Anne manikin was performed. Participants initiated the chatbot, which guided them through the recognition of a cardiac arrest event. After recognizing the cardiac arrest, the chatbot indicated the start of chest compressions for 2 min. Evaluation of the cardiac arrest recognition sequence was done via a checklist and the quality of CPR was collected with the Laerdal Instructor App. Results: 91% of participants were able to perform the entire sequence correctly. All participants checked the safety of the scene and made sure to call 112. 62% place their hands on the correct compression point. A media time of 158 s (IQR: 146–189) was needed for the whole process. 33% of participants achieved high-quality CPR with a median of 60% in QCPR (IQR: 9–86). Compression depth had a median of 42 mm (IQR: 33–53) and compression rate had a median of 100 compressions/min (IQR: 97–100). Conclusion: The use of a voice assistant could be useful for people with no previous training to perform de out-of-hospital cardiac arrest recognition sequence. Chatbot was able to guide all participants to call 112 and to perform continuous chest compressions. The first version of the chatbot for potential bystanders naive in basic life support needs to be further developed to reduce response times and be more effective in giving feedback on chest compressionsS

Skills assessment in drowning incidents by rescuers

El ahogamiento es una de las principales causas de muerte no intencional a nivel mundial. La prevención es la mejor estrategia pero no siempre es suficiente para evitar el incidente. Cuando una persona comienza a ahogarse, la supervivencia y pronóstico van a depender en gran medida del auxilio de un rescatador. Existen cuatro perfiles de rescatadores legos. No existe descripción ni recomendación científica sobre las técnicas de rescate empleadas por rescatadores legos, por lo tanto, de forma genérica el testigo sin experiencia no debe entrar en el agua para intentar un rescate, sin embargo, aquellos rescatadores que sin entrenamiento formal cuentan con experiencia acuática, están dentro del agua en el momento del incidente y disponen de material de flotación (ej. Surfistas), pueden ser un gran activo en la mitigación del ahogamiento. En relación a los socorristas profesionales, iniciar la RCP del ahogado de forma precoz es posible en tierra y en una embarcación de rescate, adaptando las técnicas al espacio, posición del rescatador y condiciones marítimas. El uso de equipos de protección personal (EPI) supone una serie de ventajas y también limitaciones en entornos acuáticos. El uso de mantas de plástico puede ser una alternativa real para no demorar el inicio de las maniobras y no supone una disminución de la calidad de la RCP. Los métodos de recuperación activos diseñados para socorristas, promueven un reajuste fisiológico más rápido. La ES puede ser una gran alternativa de recuperación después de un rescate acuático con gran demanda física

A comparison between three different techniques considering quality skills, fatigue and hand pain during a prolonged infant resuscitation: a cross-over study with lifeguards

The aim of the study was to compare the quality of CPR (Q-CPR), as well as the perceived fatigue and hand pain in a prolonged infant cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) performed by lifeguards using three different techniques. A randomized crossover simulation study was used to compare three infant CPR techniques: the two-finger technique (TF); the two-thumb encircling technique (TTE) and the two-thumb-fist technique (TTF). 58 professional lifeguards performed three tests in pairs during a 20-min period of CPR. The rescuers performed compressions and ventilations in 15:2 cycles and changed their roles every 2 min. The variables of analysis were CPR quality components, rate of perceived exertion (RPE) and hand pain with numeric rating scale (NRS). All three techniques showed high Q-CPR results (TF: 86 ± 9%/TTE: 88 ± 9%/TTF: 86 ± 16%), and the TTE showed higher values than the TF (p = 0.03). In the RPE analysis, fatigue was not excessive with any of the three techniques (values 20 min between 3.2 for TF, 2.4 in TTE and 2.5 in TTF on a 10-point scale). TF reached a higher value in RPE than TTF in all the intervals analyzed (p < 0.05). In relation to NRS, TF showed significantly higher values than TTE and TTF (NRS minute 20 = TF 4.7 vs. TTE 2.5 & TTF 2.2; p < 0.001). In conclusion, all techniques have been shown to be effective in high-quality infant CPR in a prolonged resuscitation carried out by lifeguards. However, the two-finger technique is less efficient in relation to fatigue and hand pain compared with two-thumb technique (TF vs. TTF, p = 0.01)

Safe on-boat resuscitation by lifeguards in COVID-19 era: a pilot study comparing three sets of personal protective equipment

Introduction: On-boat resuscitation can be applied by lifeguards in an inflatable rescue boat (IRB). Due to Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2 (SARS-COV-2) and recommendations for the use of personal protective equipment (PPE), prehospital care procedures need to be re-evaluated. The objective of this study was to determine how the use of PPE influences the amount of preparation time needed before beginning actual resuscitation and the quality of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR; QCPR) on an IRB.Methods: Three CPR tests were performed by 14 lifeguards, in teams of two, wearing different PPE: (1) Basic PPE (B-PPE): gloves, a mask, and protective glasses; (2) Full PPE (F-PPE): B-PPE + a waterproof apron; and (3) Basic PPE + plastic blanket (B+PPE). On-boat resuscitation using a bag-valve-mask (BVM) and high efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter was performed sailing at 20km/hour.Results: Using B-PPE takes less time and is significantly faster than F-PPE (B-PPE 17 [SD = 2] seconds versus F-PPE 69 [SD = 17] seconds; P = .001), and the use of B+PPE is slightly higher (B-PPE 17 [SD = 2] seconds versus B+PPE 34 [SD = 6] seconds; P = .002). The QCPR remained similar in all three scenarios (P >.05), reaching values over 79%.Conclusion: The use of PPE during on-board resuscitation is feasible and does not interfere with quality when performed by trained lifeguards. The use of a plastic blanket could be a quick and easy alternative to offer extra protection to lifeguards during CPR on an IRB

Physical activity habits and determinants, sedentary behaviour and lifestyle in university students

University students, as a result of their lifestyles, represent a section of the population that is most likely to adopt sedentary behaviours. The aim of the present study was to analyse the determining factors dictating the performance of physical activity as well as sedentary behaviour among university students. A total of 608 students (64.6% women) from the University of Santiago de Compostela (Spain) were selected by stratified random sampling to take part in the study, which involved completing a questionnaire on lifestyle and physical activity. Of the participating students, 69.6% indicated that they performed physical activity; the main reasons given were to maintain fitness and for health, while a lack of time and laziness were the principal reasons given for abandoning or not taking up physical exercise. Significant associations were established between not doing physical activity and the time exposed to screens, time studying, feeling low and smoking; on the other hand, associations could be seen between doing physical activity and the participation of relatives (parents, mothers, partners, older siblings and friends) in physical activity, as well as a positive sense of satisfaction relating to physical education taught in schools. In conclusion, most of the university students did some physical activity, which was associated with less sedentary behaviour, while the influence of school physical education and of the habits of relatives played an important role.Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades | Ref. RTI2018-096106-A-I0

3er. Congreso de Salvamento y Socorrismo de Galicia

[Resumen] Los días 17, 18 y 19 de octubre de 2003 se celebró en Sanxenxo (Pontevedra) el "3er. Congreso de Salvamento y Socorrismo de Galicia", que contó con los respaldos de las Universidades de A Coruña y Vigo. En este Congreso se alcanzaron objetivos en los ámbitos de la formación, la investigacion y la profesión del socorrismo acuático profesional. Los respaldos de instituciones y entidades públicas y privadas, así como los inscritos, fueron numerosos y procedentes de la casi totalidad de las comunidades autónomas. Esta publicación reúne la totalidad de las ponencias, talleres, comunicaciones y pósters presentados