Resuscitation – “Everybody can help”

Resuscitation – “Everybody can help”

21 July 2014

International resuscitation experts will soon arrive in Queenstown for ‘Science to Sensibility’, a scientific meeting hosted by the New Zealand Resuscitation Council.

The conference, on 25 and 26 July, will focus on the latest evidence from resuscitation science and research. But Dr Richard Aickin, Conference Convener and Chair of the New Zealand Resuscitation Council, is clear that resuscitation is “important for everybody.”

“Successful resuscitation starts with science,” says Dr Aickin. “There is plenty of evidence for what works, and what doesn’t, in resuscitation. The New Zealand Resuscitation Council provides guidelines to help rescuers focus on what will make a difference to help people who have collapsed. Survival depends on bystanders taking immediate action.”

Queenstown Lakes Mayor Vanessa van Uden will open the conference, and echoes Dr Aickin’s sentiments that resuscitation is applicable to all. Mayor van Uden says, “Queenstown is an ideal location to discuss resuscitation. Being here reminds us that New Zealanders love getting active outdoors, but that resuscitation events can and do occur anywhere – including while enjoying our mountains, lakes, and wilderness areas.”

Many people are aware of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) for treating cardiac arrest, which affects about 2,000 New Zealanders ever year. CPR – the cycle of chest compressions and rescue breathing – is effective to buy time until expert help arrives. “Any attempt at resuscitation is better than no attempt,” says Dr Aickin.

“Being trained in resuscitation is always desirable,” says Dr Aickin, yet rescuers without training are still capable of providing life-saving treatment for patients in need. “Everybody can help. It can be as simple as pushing hard and fast on the center of the chest, and don’t stop until help arrives. Automatic defibrillators (AEDs) are available in many places. These life saving devices are extremely safe and will guide an untrained person to save a life.”

For more about ‘Science to Sensibility’ see http://nzrc2014.co.nz. To learn more about the New Zealand Resuscitation Council see www.nzrc.org.nz.

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