[Guideline 'Resuscitation', revision 2002]

Abstract

In 2002, the Netherlands Resuscitation Council published a translation of guidelines on Basic Life Support, use of the Automated External Defibrillator, and Advanced Life Support for adults and children, as laid down in 2000 by the International Liaison Committee on Resuscitation. The Dutch situation has altered in that there has been a change from the Netherlands-specific 'CAB' scheme to the internationally accepted 'ABC' scheme. This means that upon encountering a patient, the airways should be checked first (A), then artificial ventilation should be administered twice (B), after which the circulation should be checked in the third place (C) and chest compression should be initiated if necessary. In the Dutch guideline 'assessment of signs of circulation' for the identification of circulatory arrest by lay people was not accepted, but the pulse check at the carotid artery has been maintained. Medical professionals should also assess possible circulatory arrest in this way. Regardless of the number of people attending the patient, the ratio of chest compressions to artificial ventilation in adults is now 15:2 rather than the previously-advocated ratio of 5:1. This ratio is more effective in building up the blood pressure during the chest compressions. In terms of medication, the most important modification is the addition of amiodarone for persistent ventricular fibrillation.