Hands Only CPR, New Guidelines... Not for Everyone!
On March 31st, 2008 the American Heart Association came out with some shocking CPR news. In an attempt to get more people untrained persons to perform CPR, the AHA is suggesting that if you are un-trained in CPR and witness sudden collapse or cardiac arrest of an Adult and you are unable or unwilling to perform mouth to mouth breaths, you may perform compressions only CPR.
This Hands-Only CPR technique is not for everyone.
- Infants
- Children
- Choking
- Drownings
- Electrocutions
- Drug overdoses
- Un-witnessed collapse of anyone
If you are trained in CPR, it is suggested you manage the airway and perform ventilations during CPR. It is the preferred method. If you are un-trained sign up for a CPR/First Aid class today.
Compressions only CPR is not the preferred method. But, it is better than nothing for adults following a witnessed collapse. It is believed that the victim may have up to two minutes of air in the lungs that can be circulated. Just remember, it may realistically take Fire Department paramedics 6-8 minutes to arrive on scene and take over CPR efforts. That would leave your victim without oxygen to the brain and other vital organs for over 4-6 minutes. In 3-4 minutes brain damage can occur, after 4 minutes it becomes permanent.
To perform Hands-Only CPR you only need to confirm that the victim is not breathing. Call 9-1-1. An easy rule of thumb to determine breathing is if the victim isn't moving, they are not breathing. Of course the best indicator is to watch for Chest and/or abdominal rise in the victim. Next, align hands with fingers interlocked on victims sternum (breastbone) at the mid-nipple line. Simply begin continuous CPR compressions at a rate of 100 per minute. Push a full 1/3 depth. The American Heart Association slogan is "Push hard, Push fast".
My greatest concern as a CPR instructor and professional rescuer is most folks do not carry any protection such as a CPR face shield or gloves with them. This leaves the rescuer vulnerable during CPR and with two options. Neither option is a good idea. The first option (no mask) is not to perform mouth to mouth durning CPR. Not a good option for the victim. Second option is to do mouth to mouth during CPR without protection. Not a good option for you the rescuer.
The solution is carry a CPR face shield/barrier mask, vinyl gloves and antimicrobial wipe. This combination keeps the rescuer safe during CPR and provides the maximum benefit for the victim.
