2025 Revised Korean CPR Guidelines Emphasize AED Use and Infant Rescue Techniques
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South Korea’s revised Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) guidelines, released on January 29, 2025, by the korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA), incorporate the latest research and recommendations from 16 professional organizations. KDCA experts reviewed international CPR agreements and research to update the guidelines last revised in 2020.
increased Focus on AED Utilization
The updated guidelines prioritize increasing the use of Automated external Defibrillators (AEDs). Emergency personnel are now encouraged to instruct callers on how to use shock devices during emergency situations.
Addressing Barriers to AED Use in Women
Recognizing that AED use is lower in female cardiac arrest patients due to concerns about physical contact, the revised guidelines provide specific instructions. rescuers are advised to adjust the position of a woman’s bra without removing it,ensuring the AED pads are applied directly to bare skin,avoiding breast tissue. Pads should be placed between the right clavicle and nipple, and on the left side.
Professor Lee Chang-hee of Namseoul University, a contributor to the guideline revision, explained that studies showed pad placement and shock effectiveness were not considerably affected by leaving underwear in place. Namseoul University
Changes to CPR Order and Infant Rescue
Traditionally, CPR begins with chest compressions. Though,for cardiac arrest cases resulting from drowning,the guidelines now recommend initiating CPR with artificial respiration,in addition to chest compressions. Rescuers without artificial respiration training should perform compression-only CPR, while trained emergency medical personnel should begin with artificial respiration.
Revised Infant CPR Technique
Previous guidelines recommended the ‘two-finger compression method’ for single rescuers and the ‘two thumbs chest compression method wrapped with both hands’ for two or more rescuers when performing CPR on infants under one year old. The revised guidelines now recommend the ‘two thumbs chest compression method wrapped with both hands’ regardless of the number of rescuers.
The KDCA states that this two-handed thumb compression method provides more consistent compression depth and strength and reduces rescuer fatigue and finger pain. KDCA
Infant Choking Protocol Update
For infants experiencing airway obstruction due to a foreign body, abdominal compression is no longer recommended due to potential internal organ damage. The revised guidelines add the one-hand heel compression method (between the palm and wrist) to the existing protocol of five back pats followed by five abdominal thrusts.
Looking Ahead
Lim seung-gwan, Director of the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, expressed hope that these revisions will increase CPR practice among the public and improve survival rates for cardiac arrest patients. The KDCA will actively disseminate the updated guidelines to relevant organizations and the public, ensuring their integration into CPR education materials and training programs. KDCA
The revised guidelines are available for download on the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency website: https://www.kdca.go.kr/board/board.es?mid=a20504000000&bid=0016
Reporter Hyeon Ye-seul [email protected]
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