Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of the study is to analyze the influence of the fatigue caused by a water
rescue on the cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) performance.
Methods
The sample of our research is composed of a group of 60 lifeguards (30 men and 30
women) who have been trained at the Universities of A Coruña and Vigo. Two tests were
conducted: the first test involved the execution of 5 min of CPR (rested), and the
second one in performing water rescue and subsequent CPR (exhausted) for 5 minutes.
The quality of the CPR at rest and at fatigue condition was compared. The recording
instrument was the Laerdal Resusci Anne manikin. The time of the water rescue was
also registered.
Results
Gender does not significantly influence CPR, either at rest or at fatigue condition.
However, the fatigue caused by rescue has a significant influence on the total quantity
of chest compressions: rested (380 ± 38.64); exhausted (411 ± 56.09; P < .001) and ventilations: rested (24 ± 2.97); exhausted (26 ± 3.92; P < .001). Also in correct chest compressions: rested (285 ± 82.67); exhausted (246
± 122.08; P = .02) and ventilations: rested (14 ± 7.09); exhausted (9 ± 6.67; P < .001). As far as the water rescue is concerned, men are faster (261 ± 34.58 s)
when compared to women (326 ± 99.87 seconds; P = .001).
Conclusion
The accumulated fatigue during a water rescue performed by lifeguards reduces the
quality of chest compressions and ventilations on the CPR.
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Article Info
Publication History
Published online: October 22, 2012
Accepted:
September 10,
2012
Received in revised form:
August 14,
2012
Received:
July 9,
2012
Footnotes
☆Conflict of interest statement: All authors declare no conflicts of interest.
Identification
Copyright
© 2013 Elsevier Inc. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
