Statement on Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) For CPR, AED, and First Aid Providers
March 9, 2020 • Health & Safety Institute
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) is still learning about how COVID-19 spreads, the severity of illness
it causes, and to what extent it may spread in the United States. According to the CDC, COVID-19 symptoms
are like those of seasonal influenza (e.g., fever, cough, myalgias, and shortness of breath) that may appear 214 days after exposure. Reported illnesses have ranged from mild symptoms to severe illness and death withthe most severe cases primarily affecting those over 60 or someone with an existing medical condition.
COVID-19 is thought to spread mainly from person to person through close contact of within 6 feet andthrough respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes. People are thought to be
most contagious when they are showing signs of sickness, but some spread might be possible before people
show symptoms. It also may be possible to become infected through indirect contact with a surface or object
that has the virus on it, and then touching their own mouth, nose, or possibly eyes. The virus that causes
COVID-19 seems to be spreading easily and sustainably in affected communities.
There is no vaccine to prevent COVID-19. The best way to prevent illness is to avoid being exposed to thevirus by avoiding contact with those with symptoms, avoiding indirect contact with contaminated surfaces
and objects, and taking personal steps to reduce exposure to yourself.
When a medical emergency occurs and you decide to help, there are some commonsense things you should
do. Adherence to standard infection control precautions, used whether an infection is suspected or not, is an
important first step. This involves the use of personal protective barriers including disposable gloves, eyeprotection, protective facemasks, or CPR masks with a one-way valve when giving rescue breaths.
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For most people, the hands are the body parts most likely to touch surfaces and objects in theirenvironment. Exposure to COVID-19 through contaminated surfaces or objects can be minimized
though the use of disposable gloves, especially when providing emergency medical care. Care must
be taken during the removal of gloves to prevent additional indirect exposure or contamination.
Wearing eye protection such as glasses, face shields, or goggles will help prevent direct exposure tothe eyes from splashing or spraying, such as when someone coughs or sneezes.
If you have protective facemasks, such as the N95 respirator, follow the CDC’s recommendations for
putting one on and using it. Place one on an ill or injured person you are caring for who is showing
symptoms of COVID-19 to reduce exposure to yourself and others. Use one yourself if you are in aclose setting and providing emergency care. Just like disposable gloves, care must be taking whenremoving a facemask to prevent indirect exposure or contamination.

ASHI, MEDIC First Aid, EMS Safety, 24-7 EMS & Fire, Summit Training Source, Vivid Learning Systems, SafeTec, Martech Training andDonesafe are part of the HSI family of brands.

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Because COVID-19 is a respiratory-based disease, giving rescue breaths, as part of CPR, is of concern.
CPR masks with a one-way valve are designed to protect the person giving rescue breaths fromexposure to respiratory droplets . As with other personal protective barriers, care must be taken to
avoid additional indirect exposure or contamination during and after using a CPR mask.
For sudden cardiac arrest of adults, compression-only CPR is recommended if you are unable to, or
prefer not to, give rescue breaths. Compression-only CPR can circulate the remaining oxygen in the
body when sudden cardiac arrest occurs, buying more time to get and use an automated external
defibrillator (AED).
After removing gloves, or any other protective barriers, wash your hands with soap and water for atleast 20 seconds. If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer withat least 60% alcohol.

Because of the gap in understanding about COVID-19, the situation is evolving, and additional
recommendations could follow. Everyone should keep a close eye on the latest COVID-19 information fromthe CDC and make personal adjustments as more is known about the situation.

ASHI, MEDIC First Aid, EMS Safety, 24-7 EMS & Fire, Summit Training Source, Vivid Learning Systems, SafeTec, Martech Training andDonesafe are part of the HSI family of brands.