---
title: "EMS Training: New AHA Guidelines Change Resuscitation for Good"
description: EMS Training News recent CPR certification know, the American Heart Association released some important changes to the 2010 Guidelines
image: https://info.action-training.com/hs-fs/file-16709345-jpg/images/img_9462-resized-600.jpg
---

![ATS-Logo-Transparent_350x](https://info.action-training.com/hs-fs/hub/123391/file-44791010.gif)

# The Action Training Systems Emergency Responder Blog

## [EMS Training: New AHA Guidelines Change Resuscitation for Good](https://info.action-training.com/-Blog/bid/125510/EMS-Training-New-AHA-Guidelines-Change-Resuscitation-for-Good)

Posted by [Elise Andreasen](https://info.action-training.com/-blog/author/elise-andreasen) on Tue, February 21, 2012 @ 12:10PM

- [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share)

As most of you with a recent CPR certification know, the [American Heart Association](http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/%20%20http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/) released some important changes to the [2010 Guidelines for CPR and ECC](http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/CPRAndECC/CPR_UCM_001118_SubHomePage.jsp). The AHA reevaluates these guidelines every five years based on new peer-reviewed evidence in [resuscitation](https://info.action-training.com/award-winning-emergency-medical-responder-series/) studies to ensure the best techniques are used.

The biggest change was in the BLS sequence, which changed from A-B-C to C-A-B. Chest compressions start sooner to force existing oxygenated blood through the body. During that time, another responder can prepare a pocket mask or BVM with oxygen to deliver the rescue breaths. This may also allow time to prepare an AED as well.

[Action Training Systems](https://info.action-training.com/innovative-training-systems-for-emergency-responders/) incorporated these new guidelines into our EMS Training: [Emergency Medical Responder (EMR)](http://www.action-training.com/product.aspx?training=EMS_Training_EMR_Emergency_Medical_Responder_Series&pid=546training=EMS_Training_EMR_Emergency_Medical_Responder_Series&pid=546%20%20%20http://www.action-training.com/product.aspx?training=EMS_Training_EMR_Emergency_Medical_Responder_Series&pid=546training=EMS_Training_EMR_Emergency_Medical_Responder_Series&pid=546%20%20%20http://www.action-training.com/product.aspx?training=EMS_Training_EMR_Emergency_Medical_Responder_Series&pid=546training=EMS_Training_EMR_Emergency_Medical_Responder_Series&pid=546%20%20%20http://www.action-training.com/product.aspx?training=EMS_Training_EMR_Emergency_Medical_Responder_Series&pid=546training=EMS_Training_EMR_Emergency_Medical_Responder_Series&pid=546%20%20%20http://www.action-training.com/product.aspx?training=EMS_Training_EMR_Emergency_Medical_Responder_Series&pid=546training=EMS_Training_EMR_Emergency_Medical_Responder_Series&pid=546%20%20%20http://www.action-training.com/product.aspx?training=EMS_Training_EMR_Emergency_Medical_Responder_Series&pid=546training=EMS_Training_EMR_Emergency_Medical_Responder_Series&pid=546%20%20%20http://www.action-training.com/product.aspx?training=EMS_Training_EMR_Emergency_Medical_Responder_Series&pid=546training=EMS_Training_EMR_Emergency_Medical_Responder_Series&pid=546%20%20%20http://www.action-training.com/product.aspx?training=EMS_Training_EMR_Emergency_Medical_Responder_Series&pid=546training=EMS_Training_EMR_Emergency_Medical_Responder_Series&pid=546%20%20%20http://www.action-training.com/product.aspx?training=EMS_Training_EMR_Emergency_Medical_Responder_Series&pid=546training=EMS_Training_EMR_Emergency_Medical_Responder_Series&pid=546%20%20%20http://www.action-training.com/product.aspx?training=EMS_Training_EMR_Emergency_Medical_Responder_Series&pid=546training=EMS_Training_EMR_Emergency_Medical_Responder_Series&pid=546%20%20%20http://www.action-training.com/product.aspx?training=EMS_Training_EMR_Emergency_Medical_Responder_Series&pid=546training=EMS_Training_EMR_Emergency_Medical_Responder_Series&pid=546%20%20%20http://www.action-training.com/product.aspx?training=EMS_Training_EMR_Emergency_Medical_Responder_Series&pid=546training=EMS_Training_EMR_Emergency_Medical_Responder_Series&pid=546%20%20%20http://www.action-training.com/product.aspx?training=EMS_Training_EMR_Emergency_Medical_Responder_Series&pid=546training=EMS_Training_EMR_Emergency_Medical_Responder_Series&pid=546) series title called [Resuscitation](http://www.action-training.com/uploads/Video%20Samples/EMR/ER011%20Web%20Clip.wmv). Here are some of the production team’s behind-the-scenes shots from Resuscitation.

![First Responder Training](https://info.action-training.com/hs-fs/file-16709345-jpg/images/img_9462-resized-600.jpg?width=450&height=300&name=img_9462-resized-600.jpg)

We shot the main CPR setup in Buckley, WA with Officer Adam Garrett with [Buckley Police Department.](http://www.cityofbuckley.com/police/) EMT Miriam Cooper played our bystander who happened upon our victim, retired firefighter John Justice.  We filmed in an alley just adjacent to the fire department and nearby police station.  The shoot was supervised by Buckley FD instructor and ATS technical advisor Angela Riggsby.

![EMS Training](https://info.action-training.com/hs-fs/file-16710793-jpg/images/img_9470.jpg?width=483&height=322&name=img_9470.jpg)

Our responders Dwayne McGehee and Justin Torres arrived from City of Buckley Fire Department to demonstrate our two-rescuer CPR technique.

The 2010 AHA Guidelines also made some subtle changes to chest compression rates and depths. Previously, the AHA recommended a rate of *approximately* 100 compressions/minute. Now, the 2010 guidelines recommend *at least* 100 compressions/minute. The compression depth of 1.5 (4 cm) to 2 inches (5 cm) for adults has also changed to *at least* 2 inches (5 cm).

Since John was alive and well, we decided to save our compressions demonstration for a dummy. Our cameramen Sjon and Peter captured the demo at [Pierce County Fire District 5](http://www.gigharborfire.org/) with Andrew Cochrane, Ryan Gorcester and Alex Langlow.

                     ![EMS Training](https://info.action-training.com/hs-fs/file-16707162-jpg/images/img_9327-resized-600.jpg?width=438&height=292&name=img_9327-resized-600.jpg)

The dummy didn’t seem to mind and only responded with a satisfying “click” upon each compression.

The compression depths for pediatric patients changed slightly in 2010 as well. Previous guidelines recommended a compression depth of approximately one third to one half the anterior-posterior diameter of the chest, but the new guidelines recommend *at least* one third the anterior-posterior diameter of the chest. The new guidelines also include an approximation of that depth as 1½ inches (4 cm) for most infants and about 2 inches (5 cm) for most children.

                 ![EMS Training](https://info.action-training.com/hs-fs/file-16702066-jpg/images/img_0871-resized-600.jpg?width=462&height=308&name=img_0871-resized-600.jpg)

We shot this pediatric CPR scenario with [North Kitsap Fire & Rescue’s](http://www.nkfr.org/) Trevor Glebe and Steven Green, who make regular appearances in the EMR series. Our patient actor, Bryce Delmendo, kept laughing, although we reminded him he was supposed to play dead. It was hard for the guys to keep a straight face, too. 

The production team had a great time working through the CPR and AED procedures with our local EMS departments. Check out the Resuscitation title on our [EMR page](http://www.action-training.com/product.aspx?training=EMS_Training_EMR_Emergency_Medical_Responder_Series&pid=546) to view a quick demo of the program.

What do you think about the changes to the AHA Guidelines?

 

[![Click me](https://hubspot-no-cache-na2-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/cta/default/123391/da8429de-f9ae-4ebf-a41b-3255bb6b4c2e.png)](https://hubspot-cta-redirect-na2-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/cta/redirect/123391/da8429de-f9ae-4ebf-a41b-3255bb6b4c2e)                             [![Click me](https://hubspot-no-cache-na2-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/cta/default/123391/66cfe969-9649-4952-b8b2-27bdf11e26ea.png)](https://hubspot-cta-redirect-na2-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/cta/redirect/123391/66cfe969-9649-4952-b8b2-27bdf11e26ea)

 Tags: [firefighter training](https://info.action-training.com/-blog/topic/firefighter-training), [EMS training](https://info.action-training.com/-blog/topic/ems-training), [emergency responder Training](https://info.action-training.com/-blog/topic/emergency-responder-training), [first responder training](https://info.action-training.com/-blog/topic/first-responder-training)

### Subscribe via E-mail

### Latest Posts

### Posts by category

- [firefighter training (22)](https://info.action-training.com/-blog/topic/firefighter-training)
- [emergency responder Training (16)](https://info.action-training.com/-blog/topic/emergency-responder-training)
- [EMS training (15)](https://info.action-training.com/-blog/topic/ems-training)
- [Fire training (15)](https://info.action-training.com/-blog/topic/fire-training)
- [first responder training (13)](https://info.action-training.com/-blog/topic/first-responder-training)
- [Fire Officer (5)](https://info.action-training.com/-blog/topic/fire-officer)
- [Industrial training (4)](https://info.action-training.com/-blog/topic/industrial-training)
- [AFG Grants Info (3)](https://info.action-training.com/-blog/topic/afg-grants-info)
- [EMT Training (3)](https://info.action-training.com/-blog/topic/emt-training)
- [Fire Simulator (3)](https://info.action-training.com/-blog/topic/fire-simulator)
- [vehicle extrication training (3)](https://info.action-training.com/-blog/topic/vehicle-extrication-training)
- [Field Operations Guide (1)](https://info.action-training.com/-blog/topic/field-operations-guide)
- [NVFC (1)](https://info.action-training.com/-blog/topic/nvfc)
- [Rescue training (1)](https://info.action-training.com/-blog/topic/rescue-training)
- [Training schematics (1)](https://info.action-training.com/-blog/topic/training-schematics)
- [ems tra (1)](https://info.action-training.com/-blog/topic/ems-tra)
- [fire simulation (1)](https://info.action-training.com/-blog/topic/fire-simulation)
- [hazmat training (1)](https://info.action-training.com/-blog/topic/hazmat-training)

### Listen to Blog - Click Here

- [Home](http://www.action-training.com/default.aspx)
- [Support](http://www.action-training.com/support)
- [Download Catalogs](http://www.action-training.com/action_training_catalogs)
- [About ATS](http://www.action-training.com/about)
- [Warranty](http://www.action-training.com/warranty)
- [Terms & Conditions](http://www.action-training.com/terms_and_conditions)

© 2014 Action Training Systems, Inc.