title: Effect of physical fatigue on the quality CPR: a water rescue study of lifeguards: physical fatigue and quality CPR in a water rescue.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of the study is to analyze the influence of the fatigue caused by a water rescue on the cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) performance.
  
  
  METHODS
  The sample of our research is composed of a group of 60 lifeguards (30 men and 30 women) who have been trained at the Universities of A Coruña and Vigo. Two tests were conducted: the first test involved the execution of 5 min of CPR (rested), and the second one in performing water rescue and subsequent CPR (exhausted) for 5 minutes. The quality of the CPR at rest and at fatigue condition was compared. The recording instrument was the Laerdal Resusci Anne manikin. The time of the water rescue was also registered.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Gender does not significantly influence CPR, either at rest or at fatigue condition. However, the fatigue caused by rescue has a significant influence on the total quantity of chest compressions: rested (380 ± 38.64); exhausted (411 ± 56.09; P < .001) and ventilations: rested (24 ± 2.97); exhausted (26 ± 3.92; P < .001). Also in correct chest compressions: rested (285 ± 82.67); exhausted (246 ± 122.08; P = .02) and ventilations: rested (14 ± 7.09); exhausted (9 ± 6.67; P < .001). As far as the water rescue is concerned, men are faster (261 ± 34.58 s) when compared to women (326 ± 99.87 seconds; P = .001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The accumulated fatigue during a water rescue performed by lifeguards reduces the quality of chest compressions and ventilations on the CPR.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Education and Sport Sciences, University of Vigo, Spain.
authors.forename: Roberto
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Barcala-Furelos
authors.forename: Cristian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Abelairas-Gomez
authors.forename: Vicente
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Romo-Perez
authors.forename: Jose
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Palacios-Aguilar
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D016887:Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation / Q000592:standards*; D005221:Fatigue; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008348:Manikins; D015701:Near Drowning / Q000628:therapy*; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D011787:Quality of Health Care; D018635:Rescue Work / Q000592:standards*; D013647:Task Performance and Analysis; D013997:Time Factors