Tourniquet application in time-critical aquatic emergencies on a moving rescue water craft (RWC): Can speed and precision coexist?

Lifeguards are the first responders to any type of aquatic incident, including rapid rescue situations such as boating and sporting accidents, animal bites/attacks, and cases involving massive bleeding. In their line of work, rescue boats such as Rescue Water Craft (RWC) are commonly utilized the aim of this study is to evaluate the time and technique of placing a tourniquet on the sled of an RWC navigating at full speed. METHODS: A randomized crossover study design was used with a sample of 44 lifeguards. The inclusion criteria required that participants be certified lifeguards with experience in RWC operations and possess knowledge of responding to massive bleeding. Two CAT tourniquet placement tests were performed. In the 1) Beach-Tourniquet (B-TQ) test: it was performed on land and in the 2) Rescue Water Craft-tourniquet (RWC-TQ) test, sailing at a cruising speed of 20 knots. The evaluation was recorded in a checklist on the steps and timing of the correct application TQ by direct observation by an expert instructor. RESULTS: The tourniquet placement on RWC was an average of 11 s slower than when placed on the beach (BT-TQ 35.7 ± 8.0 vs. 46.1 ± 10.9 s, p > 0.001). In the percentage analysis of the results on correct execution of the skills, higher values are obtained for the B-TQ test than in RWC-TQ in Distance to the wound (into 5-7 cm), band adjustment, checking the radial pulse and reporting the time of tourniquet placement (p > 0.005). CONCLUSION: The placement of a tourniquet on a RWC navigating at 20 knots is feasible, relatively quick, and technically well executed.

Análisis del riesgo de ahogamiento asociado al entorno acuático y competencia natatoria / Analysis of the Drowning Risk Associated with Aquatic Environment and Swimming Ability

Un alto nivel de natación puede ser un factor protector ante el ahogamiento, sin embargo, esta relación todavía no ha sido empíricamente demostrada, en base al nivel de habilidad y entorno acuático. Este estudio diseñó una matriz de riesgo de ahogamiento en base al análisis probabilístico de un cuestionario respondido por 3.181 participantes. Se analizó la ocurrencia de Estrés/Distrés acuático (EDA) en base a 5 niveles de competencia y tres entornos acuáticos: a) Piscina sin olas ni corrientes, b) Lagos, embalses, ríos y playas sin olas ni corrientes, c) Ríos, playas o piscinas con olas y/o corrientes. Los resultados se expresaron en Odds Ratio (OR). El riesgo de EDA superó el OR de 25 en el entorno más peligroso y se incrementó para todos los escenarios conforme la competencia acuática era peor. Tres de cada cuatro nadadores han sufrido EDA y este evento pudo ser un incentivo para mejorar sus competencias acuáticas. (AU)

A high level of swimming can be a protective factor against drowning, however, this relationship has not yet been empirically demonstrated, based on water competence level and aquatic environment. This study designed a drowning risk matrix based on the probabilistic analysis of a questionnaire answered by 3,181 participants. The occurrence of Aquatic Stress/Distress (EDA) was analysed based on 5 skill levels and three aquatic scenarios: a) Pool without waves or currents, b) Lakes, reservoirs, rivers and beaches without waves or currents, c) Rivers, beaches or pools with waves and/or currents. The results were expressed in Odds Ratio (OR). EDA risk exceeded OR of 25 in the most dangerous environment and increased for all scenarios as aquatic competency worsened. Three out of four swimmers have suffered from EDA and this event could have been an incentive to improve their water competence. (AU)

Evaluación sobre la técnica de compresiones torácicas usando APP. ¿Ayudan o entorpecen la reanimación cardiopulmonar? / Evaluation of the thoracic compression technique using APPs. Do they help or hinder cardiopulmonary resuscitation?

Objetivo: Evaluar la calidad de la reanimación cardiopulmonar (RCP) de personas no expertas guiada por una aplicación móvil con retroalimentación en tiempo real. Diseño: Estudio cuasi-experimental de corte transversal. Participantes: Una muestra de 113 estudiantes de enfermería sin experiencia ni formación en RCP participaron en el estudio. Intervenciones: Se realizaron tres test de RCP solo manos con compresiones continuas: 1)RCP sin dispositivo; 2)RCP con el teléfono apagado, y 3)RCP guiada por APP. Se aleatorizaron tres aplicaciones diferentes (Pocket CPR(R), CPR Pro(R) y Massage cardiaque et DSA(R)). Los tres test se realizaron de forma consecutiva, aleatorizados y separados 30min entre cada uno. Se utilizó el maniquí Laerdal Resusci Anne QCPR (Stavanger, Noruega) software 2.0.0.14. Variables de interés principales: Aplicaciones utilizadas. Variables demográficas para caracterizar a la muestra. Variables independientes: media de profundidad, ritmo medio, porcentaje de posición correcta de mano, porcentaje de compresiones con reexpansión correcta, porcentaje de compresiones con profundidad correcta, porcentaje de compresiones al ritmo correcto, calidad global de la RCP. Resultados: La calidad global de la RCP fue del 33,3%±32,7 para Pocket CPR, del 10,9%±22,72 para CPR Pro y del 7,8%±9,2 para Massage cardiaque et DSA. Con ninguna de las APP se consiguen mejorías estadísticamente significativas. El porcentaje de tiempo que el reanimador consiguió mantener el ritmo correcto mejoró con el uso de las tres APP. Conclusiones: La RCP guiada por APP no mejoró la calidad global de las compresiones durante la reanimación, si bien mejoró el porcentaje de compresiones realizadas a un ritmo correcto

Objective: To evaluate the quality of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) by lay people when guided by a mobile phone application with real-time feedback, with the comparison of three different mobile phone applications (APPs). Design: A cross-sectional quasi-experimental study was carried out. Participants: A sample of 113 nursing students participated in the study. Interventions: Three hands-only CPR tests with continuous compressions were performed: (i)without external help; (ii)with the mobile phone turned off; and (iii)guided by APP. Three different APPs were randomly assigned (Pocket CPR(R), CPR Pro(R)> and Massage cardiaque et DSA(R)). The mannequin Laerdal Resusci Anne QCPR (Stavanger, Norway) 2.0.0.14 software was used. Variables of primary interest: APPs used. Demographic variables characterizing the study sample. Independent variables: mean depth, mean rate, percentage of correct hand positioning, percentage of compressions with correct re-expansion, percentage of compressions with correct depth, percentage of compressions at the correct rate, and overall quality of CPR. Results: Overall CPR quality was 33.3% ± 32.7 using Pocket CPR, 10.9% ± 22.72% using CPR Pro and 7.8% ± 9.2 using Massage cardiaque et DSA. None of the APPs produced a statistically significant improvement. The percentage of time that the resuscitator managed to maintain a correct compression rate improved when using all three APPs. Conclusions: Cardiopulmonary resuscitation guided by phone APPs did not improve the overall quality of compressions during resuscitation, though it improved the percentage of compressions performed at the correct rate

Evaluation of the thoracic compression technique using APPs. Do they help or hinder cardiopulmonary resuscitation? / Evaluación sobre la técnica de compresiones torácicas usando APP. ¿Ayudan o entorpecen la reanimación cardiopulmonar?

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the quality of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) by lay people when guided by a mobile phone application with real-time feedback, with the comparison of three different mobile phone applications (APPs). DESIGN: A cross-sectional quasi-experimental study was carried out. PARTICIPANTS: A sample of 113 nursing students participated in the study. INTERVENTIONS: Three hands-only CPR tests with continuous compressions were performed: (i)without external help; (ii)with the mobile phone turned off; and (iii)guided by APP. Three different APPs were randomly assigned (Pocket CPR®, CPR Pro®> and Massage cardiaque et DSA®). The mannequin Laerdal Resusci Anne QCPR (Stavanger, Norway) 2.0.0.14 software was used. VARIABLES OF PRIMARY INTEREST: APPs used. Demographic variables characterizing the study sample. INDEPENDENT VARIABLES: mean depth, mean rate, percentage of correct hand positioning, percentage of compressions with correct re-expansion, percentage of compressions with correct depth, percentage of compressions at the correct rate, and overall quality of CPR. RESULTS: Overall CPR quality was 33.3% ± 32.7 using Pocket CPR, 10.9% ± 22.72% using CPR Pro and 7.8% ± 9.2 using Massage cardiaque et DSA. None of the APPs produced a statistically significant improvement. The percentage of time that the resuscitator managed to maintain a correct compression rate improved when using all three APPs. CONCLUSIONS: Cardiopulmonary resuscitation guided by phone APPs did not improve the overall quality of compressions during resuscitation, though it improved the percentage of compressions performed at the correct rate.