Red Cross develops first set of international first aid and resuscitation guidelines

OTTAWA, November 7, 2011 /Canada NewsWire/ - After three years of research with the International Liaison Committee on Resuscitation, the Red Cross has developed the first set of international First Aid & Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) guidelines for all Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies to apply to their first aid programs.

"These guidelines are a testament to our expanding role in the research and development process," says Rick Caissie, national directory of Injury Prevention Programs for the Canadian Red Cross. "We take pride in the fact that our program incorporates the latest research on how to further reduce injury and improve treatment for those in need."

Beginning November 1, the Canadian Red Cross will instruct it's more than 4,700 First Aid & CPR instructors on how to teach these new guidelines over a three-month period and the revised program will be offered early next year.

"We are dedicated to spending the necessary time to ensure our instructors understand the scope of the changes before delivering these guidelines during sessions with the public," adds Caissie.

The Canadian Red Cross is a member of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, which includes the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, the International Committee of the Red Cross and over 185 national Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. Our mission is to improve the lives of vulnerable people by mobilizing the power of humanity in Canada and around the world.