Around mid-March, the BC Centre of Disease Control (BC CDC) created a webpage to address the issue of responding to an overdose during the COVID-19.
http://www.bccdc.ca/health-info/diseases-conditions/covid-19/priority-populations/people-who-use-substances
The BC CDC also posted an interim guidance document for BC Emergency Health Services regarding infection prevention and control for COVID-19. The guidance include avoid using a bag valve mask (BVM) whenever possible.
http://www.bccdc.ca/Health-Professionals-Site/Documents/COVID-19_IPC_Interim_Guidance_%20BCEHS.pdf
On March 30, 2020, the International Liaison Committee On Resuscitation (ILCOR) posted a Consensus on Science with Treatment Recommendations, titled, "COVID-19 infection risk to rescuers from patients in cardiac arrest", which included 2 treatment recommendations for lay rescuers and 2 treatment recommendations for healthcare professionals.
https://costr.ilcor.org/document/covid-19-infection-risk-to-rescuers-from-patients-in-cardiac-arrest
Heart and Stroke Canada, on April 6, 2020, posted information regarding CPR during the COVID-19 pandemic. This post mainly summarized the recommendations for lay rescuer CPR from the other posts mentioned above.
https://www.heartandstroke.ca/articles/modification-to-hands-only-cpr-during-the-covid-19-pandemic
To summarize all the posts from BC CDC, ILCOR, and Heart and Stroke Canada:
- Put on gloves and use any other PPE that may be available.
- If the casualty is unresponsive, call 9-1-1 or activate the emergency response plan to get medical help.
- Do not listen or feel for breathing by placing your ear and cheek close to the casualty's mouth. Instead, simply observe the casualty's breathing.
- Cover the casualty's mouth and nose with a towel or piece of cloth to prevent the spread of droplets.
- Anyone not responding to the emergency should leave the immediate area - stay away at least 6 feet (2 metres).
- Provide Compression-Only (Hands-Only) CPR.
- Use the AED, if available.
In certain situations, if the rescuer is trained, and feels safe to do so, the rescuer should provide rescue breathing with a pocket mask, face shield, or other such oral barrier device. These situations include:
- Suspected opioid overdose (naloxone, rescue breathing, and, if required, compressions)
- Witnessed drowning or breathing emergency (chest compressions and rescue breathing)
- Cardiac arrest in a child (chest compressions and rescue breathing)
After the rescue, wash or throw away the covering over the casualty's mouth and nose. Properly dispose used PPE. Wash hands thoroughly with soap and water or with a sanitizer.