Too Much Puff, Not Enough Push? Surf Lifeguard Simulated CPR Performance

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation quality among lifeguards: self-perception, knowledge, and performance

“…Little is known regarding the self-perceptions, experience, training and conceptual knowledge underpinning the ability of lifeguards to perform CPR when needed [12,13]. Our study, conducted in lifeguards with recent training indicates that subjects had good level of knowledge of CPR, in agreement with the data reported by others [12,13].…”

A multiple linear regression analysis of factors affecting the simulated Basic Life Support (BLS) performance with Automated External Defibrillator (AED) in Flemish lifeguards

“…Moran and colleagues found that compared to older lifeguards, younger and inexperienced lifeguards performed better at the preliminary checking of a patient. 13 They also reported that females were more accurate than males in their ventilation skills. De Vries et al 14 demonstrated a significant relation between the age and experience of lifeguards.…”

CPR quality reduced due to physical fatigue after a water rescue in a swimming pool

“…(11,(16)(17)(18) In fact, a study by Szpilman and Soares (17) concluded that performing in-water ventilations increases the chances of survival of the victim; and later, in a pilot evaluation, Perkins (16) demonstrated the possibility of proper ventilation in the water, with flotation material, and previous training. Despite the scientific evidence supporting the importance of ventilations, some studies reported that lifeguards perform ventilations poorly, (10,19) pointing to a potential gap in the training programs that needs further investigation. In the present study, the rescuers were told not to perform in-water ventilations to avoid the decrease of intensity in the rescue.…”

“…Our study indicates that the quality of ventilations delivered by lifeguards was poor, as described by other researches. (19,30) Due to the importance of quality ventila-tions provided during CPR for a successful outcome of the CPR performed on a drowning victim, further studies are urged to better elucidate the reasons affecting the ventilation quality in exhausted and at rest lifeguards comparing different techniques and equipment available to provide rescue breaths. The present study has some limitations including the small share of women in the sample not allowing a genderbased comparison.…”

“…Besides assessing the performance of chest compressions under different scenarios, special attention needs to be paid to ventilation performance due to the noticeable importance of good ventilations during CPR, particularly in drowning victims, already pointed out as critical by several other researchers. (11,(16)(17)(18)(19)30) …”