Online CPR: Take a Deep Breath
For many years, the old method of CPR deep breathing along with chest compressions has been trained all CPR classes for the amateur and expert medical professional.
That was then, this is now. Times change and technology catches up. In times of stress the old CPR method was often misused. Thus, the ideal to remove the mouth to mouth deep breathing portion of CPR. This is not unlike when we decided to stop checking for a pulse before we began CPR.
This change has its detractors. However, we have been helped by 2 new reports by the AJM (American Journal of Medicine in 04.2006) and The Lace. The AHA (American Hart Assoc) changes their guild lines in 08 due to these studies as well.
We now have studies that show the chance of survivability almost doubles with hands only CPR when administered by a non-trained professional.
CPR with deep breathing has been with us for a long time and any change will get the medical community up in arms. This is understandable with a life on the line.
But this change eliminates the somewhat complicated algorithm of combining mouth-to-mouth and chest compressions. Many folks have found the technique difficult to learn and to remember in a time of crisis. To complicate matters even more, in 2005, the American Heart Association Committee on Emergency Cardiac Care made changes to CPR guidelines, and changed the algorithm. This created even more confusion in the field.
Based on the new studies all deep breathing mouth to mouth has been removed from the CPR practice and we are teaching just chest compressions.
Base on factual findings, things are changing in the CPR world. However, we must also look at the personal side of things. Would your average everyday person on the street be more inclined to jump in and help without the risk of such close personal contact? During a poll the majority of Americans would like to help without putting themselves in a perceived risk. Thus, compression only falls into this category.
However, it should be noted that this change in technique does not apply to drowning victims. The new hands-only CPR is intended for untrained rescuers and only when there has been a witnessed cardiac arrest.
