In this weekâs episode of the Inside EMS podcast, cohosts Chris Cebollero and Kelly Grayson dive into the 2025 AHA Guidelines for CPR & ECC and why, for most EMS systems and crews, this feels more like a tune up than a full overhaul. They talk through what is different â like the adult/child choking algorithm change, the inclusion of an opioid overdose response algorithm with public naloxone access, and the shift to a single unified chain of survival across ages and settings.
They also talk about what isnât new (for example, the recommendation that routine mechanical CPR devices are not better than manual compressions), why that matters, and how agencies should frame this for crews and training programs.
Bottom line: the changes are real, the work is actionable, but this doesnât feel like a seismic shift â so use that to your advantage in getting buy-in from providers and avoiding the âhuge change panic.â
Memorable quotes
- âTheyâre actually saying now, which I think is pretty cool, that individuals 12 and above can be taught CPR and how to use an AED.â
- âThe key is early CPR and early defibrillation. And if youâregoing to get more bang for your buck, you need to devote your time to bystander CPR training and public AED access rather than buying fancy gadgets that are appealing but may not actually be supported by science.â
- âI find it interesting that we used to caution against this in CPR class: âDonât give âem back blows. You may lodge it deeper into the trachea.â But now, I think theyâve looked at the data, and back blows are, at the very least, not harmful and may be beneficial.â
- âFor those in leadership: audit all your protocols and training materials now. Find out where your system is aligned or out of step.â
What do you think of the new AHA CPR guidelines? Tell us below.
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