American Heart Association and Red Cross Update First Aid Guidelines for 2024

The American Heart Association and American Red Cross have jointly released updated first aid guidelines for 2024, marking the first major comprehensive update since 2010. The new guidelines, published in the journal Circulation, aim to equip both trained professionals and the general public with the latest evidence-based practices for responding to a wide range of emergencies.

The 2024 guidelines significantly expand the scope of emergency care conditions covered compared to the 2010 version. While previous guidelines focused on basic topics like chest pain and stroke recognition, the new version provides more detailed guidance on these conditions and introduces instructions for scenarios such as managing opioid overdoses, addressing feelings of fainting, and treating tick bites. The guidelines also enhance recommendations for emergency care involving children.

Dr. Elizabeth Hewett Brumberg, co-chair of the guidelines writing group, emphasized the importance of first aid training in recognizing emergencies and prioritizing needs. "These updates reflect the changing landscape of public health challenges and aim to equip trained professionals and the public with lifesaving skills that are more critical than ever," she stated.

Key areas addressed in the 2024 guidelines include opioid overdose management, external bleeding control, first aid for open chest wounds, administration of oxygen, spinal motion restriction, chest pain in adults, stroke recognition in adults and children, first aid for seizures, heatstroke and hypothermia, tick bite treatment, and assistance with prescribed medication administration.

The updated guidelines reaffirm essential strategies that have become common in recent years but were not formally documented previously. They provide bystanders with instructions on recognizing when professional help is needed and how to effectively use available tools and medications for various conditions.

Matthew J. Douma, co-chair of the writing group, stressed the importance of bystander action within their abilities while respecting the person receiving care. He encouraged everyone to take a first aid class, maintain their skills, and have a first aid kit on hand, noting that "first aid saves lives."

The guidelines were developed by a volunteer writing group comprising experts from various medical fields, including nursing, emergency medicine, pediatrics, and trauma care. The recommendations align with those of the International Liaison Committee on Resuscitation (ILCOR) and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Society.

These updated guidelines are significant as they reflect the evolving nature of public health challenges and emergency situations. By providing more comprehensive and specific guidance, they aim to improve the quality of first aid care delivered by both professionals and the general public. The inclusion of new scenarios, such as opioid overdose management, addresses current public health concerns and equips responders with crucial knowledge to save lives in these situations.

The release of these guidelines underscores the ongoing commitment of the American Heart Association and American Red Cross to enhancing emergency care and public health. As these organizations celebrate their long histories in delivering lifesaving training, the 2024 guidelines represent a significant step forward in ensuring that first aid practices remain current, effective, and accessible to all.