Cardio-pulmonary resuscitation takes on a new look as a hands-only approach is introduced in sudden cardiac arrest for adults.
The American Heart Association recently released new guidelines for a Hands- Only version of CPR for sudden cardiac arrest in adults.
In this form of resuscitation, the rescuer need only call 911 for help and begin chest compressions. No rescue breathing is needed. The chest should be compressed about 1-11/2 inches over the middle of the sternum (breast bone) about 100 times a minute until help arrives.
Not for Children
The AHA does not recommend the procedure for children who have collapsed. This is because children usually collapse due to breathing related problems such as choking or drowning more than a sudden cardiac arrest and the chest compressions alone are not going to help save a life in this instance. In fact they may not be needed at all. Rescue breathing for children is usually what is required.
Adults who my have fallen victim to breathing problems such as drowning or oxygen deprivation from carbon monoxide poisoning will also need rescue breathing perhaps even more than the chest compressions. The lay person approaching a situation is not responsible to assess the cause of the collapse, and any help is better than nothing according to officials at the AHA.
Hopefully More Will Learn and Provide CPR When Needed
The hope is that more people will become comfortable in learning how to perform CPR and to use it when necessary if they aren't afraid of infections or other issues involved in providing mouth-to-mouth breathing. A "yuck" factor has prevented many a trained rescuer from stepping forward in an emergency, and now without this factor, it is hoped that more lives can be saved. For those untrained, or unwilling or unable to perform full CPR, this approach provides a life-saving alternative.
It is estimated that over 300,000 Americans die each year from cardiac arrest suffered outside of a hospital. Only about six percent of those who are stricken survive. The chance of survival is doubled to tripled for those who do receive CPR quickly. The sad part is that only about one third of these victims get this chance.
In 2005, the AHA changed its CPR guidelines to 30 compressions interspersed with 2 quick breaths instead of the prior standard of 15 compressions to 2 quick breaths. Another update wasn't expected until 2010, but this week, they made the switch to the hands-only procedure. Three studies in recent years have shown that hands-only CPR is just as effective.
Traditional Guidelines Still Used
Those who have been trained in traditional one and two rescuer CPR (with mouth-to-mouth breathing combined with chest compressions) may opt to use either technique. The new hands-only training will be added to CPR training. The traditional methods are still relevant for children and if the victim has collapsed due to breathing related issues.
