News and Updates
Can I still insert an OPA if there is a suspected foreign body?
Yes, first responders can still utilize an OPA to help maintain and secure the airway, even when a foreign body is suspected. Before inserting an OPA, responders should first inspect the airway to determine whether [...]
Why am I completing compressions to a pediatric patient who has a pulse less than 60 BPM?
Pediatric patients who are bradycardic (a heart rate of less than 60 BPM) with signs of poor perfusion such as pallor, cyanosis, altered metal status or hypotension are at risk for imminent cardiac compromise. Most [...]
Does My Pad Placement Matter on a VSA?
Does it matter if I apply my AED pads in the anterior-lateral placement or the anterior-posterior placement during a cardiac arrest? When placing AED pads, first responders may choose either the anterior-lateral or anterior-posterior [...]
Newborn Resuscitation versus Cardiac Arrest
When I am on scene and there is a pediatric patient needing resuscitation, what directive do I use, the Newborn Resuscitation or Cardiac Arrest Medical Directive? There are instances when a firefighter or police officer [...]
Hypothermic Cardiac Arrest – When is a Patient Too Cold to Resuscitate?
Living in Canada a reality we face yearly is that seasonal temperatures drop low enough to cause any number of thermal-related injuries, medical issues, and even death in cases of prolonged exposure. Added to this, [...]
Documenting Vital Signs in a Cardiac Arrest
It is the expectation of the SWCPM that each patient has a documented set of vitals that serve as a baseline assessment and provide an accurate picture of the patient's condition at the start of [...]
