Ariz. study is largest to show that mouth-to-mouth breathing doesn't help
Article Source: msnbc.com
from:msnbc.comHands-only CPR saves more lives in cardiac arrests
Seeded on Tue Oct 5, 2010 5:47 PM EDT (msnbc.com)
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Hands only CPR saved my 15 year old son's life exactly a year ago on 10/6/09. My son was very fortunate to have a paramedic on hand at the football game as he collapsed unknowingly with cardiac arrest. We found he had a rare heart defect where his artery was by-passed by his aortic valve and because of the cpr, he did not suffer any brain damage what so ever. I will forever be an advocate of hands only CPR and not only that, my son is a healthly (very active) 15 year old young man.
As a parent that must have been terrifying, so glad to hear your happy ending!
Chest compression "Only" CPR has been used in Europe for years and has proven to be more successful there than traditional CPR. In the U.S., we are playing catchup, just like in the cell phone industry. We are at least ten years behind the Europeans in both regards, and Universal Health Care is even farther behind. It's all about doing the right thing, but in the U.S. it is now about doing what the government says we can do. I just can't wait for the Japanese to produce and export an electric car that has a small generator to recharge the batteries. GM had it with the initial concept of the Volt, and the small generator to recharge the battery would allow you to get well over 1,000 miles per tank of gas, and they were shooting for 2,000 miles per tank, but Mr. Obama killed that idea when he basically forced out Rick Wagner, and we got the new GM(Government Motors). Even though we have had the technology for years, the government won't allow it until the Vehicle Mileage Tax is put into place. They can't afford to lose over $100 billion a year in gas tax, even though they can afford to lose $185 billion to AIG and countless other billions to failed banks. I guess we are morphing into the U.S.S.A.(United Socialist States of America). The Ruskies must love us! And, if every American knew the truth about our government, the whole country would probably go into cardiac arrest. If that happens, please don't forget to use chest compressions only, even though the AHA is "keeping it under wraps".
What in creation does your ignorant political rant have to do about a medical procedure. You truly have a loose definition of common sense and an operative human brain!
That was a whole lot of weird rant.
Take a breath, step away from the computer and go outside and enjoy the day.
This is not new news, it has been proving for a while now that compressions are more beneficial than the breaths. Just have to keep the blood flowing, that's the key.
they change CPR EVERY YEAR. Maybe more people just got lucky.
Beloit Wisconsin, Dr. Richard Barney has been a proponent of continuous chest compressions for years. The EMS and paramedics in the area use this technique and they teach this to all recertifying for CPR in the Beloit district.
I wish I was as smart as some of those commenting. I thought this was a very informative educational article. I guess I'm just too dumb to know any better.
I guess you are!! ^_^
I’m glad to see this article being re-circulated and updated. The more people who see it, the better, because it will increase the possibility of more people reacting to save someone’s life.
The main point of the relatively new research (last few years) is to demonstrate, empirically, that chances of survival increase for those in need of CPR if the willing bystander who witnessed the collapse focuses on chest compressions (regardless of their willingness to give rescue breaths). The blood is already oxygenated, so the main goal over the next critical 5-10 minutes should be to keep the blood flowing to the brain as well as possible while awaiting professional help. Under most circumstances, 10 minutes or more without higher-level intervention (shocks, drugs, high-flow O2, etc . . ) makes survival highly unlikely. Regardless, brain damage is a very real threat resulting from the body’s reaction to the brain’s eventual starvation for oxygen. The rebound of compressions does not pull any meaningful amount of air into the lungs to oxygenate blood, so the patient will need ventilations sooner than later.
With this in mind, I’m looking forward to hearing what American Heart Association recommends later this month for layperson CPR, healthcare provider, and perhaps professional responder with regards to any change in protocols for ventilations.
Absolutely amazing! It took a team of pHD's to figure this one out? I remember taking basics lifesaving 40 years ago and being told that the hands across the chest method of cardio-pulmonary resuscitaition was better because it stimulated the heart as well as provided air when the hands were extended! I shake my head in disbelief...
As I recall the Mayo clinic report suggested this methodology approx. 2 years ago.
I think we all agree, do something but we s/b consistant with EMT's, ARC, CERT, etc.
When one spends 10 to 12 hours a day on the Highways for 35 years as I have they see a lot.I always consider that the car in front of me may well flip over flip over and what I am going to do if it does.It doesn't cost much to have a box of flares,A good sized fire extinguisher,and a heavy pry bar in your trunk.I have taken CPR classes and I'm really going to look into the possibility of defibrillator classes...and check the prices and practicality of portable Defib's.
I got this in an email recently, something to share with everyone you know:
http://medicine.arizona.edu/spotlight/learn-sarver-heart-centers-continuous-chest-compression-cpr
CPR has changed so much over the years. Way back in the stone age it was 4 breaths to 15 compressions. When I just got recert'd 3 months ago, it was 2 breaths to 30 compressions. Now, no breaths. Interesting.
But like it said, it doesn't replace all cases were breathing is required. Drowning, etc.
Thank you. My son is featured in the Sarver Heart Center in Tucson, Arizona newsletter. I got to say, living in a small town, my son air-vac to St. Joseph's Hospital in Phoenix, Arizona, my son's chances were slim to none. Check this newsletter out, it's pretty awesome.
http://www.heart.arizona.edu/news-info/documents/SHCNews56_web.pdf
The article doesn't indicate whether ventilation should be included if there is more than one person available to provide CPR.
No ventilation at all no matter how many people are there. Chest compressions are more beneficial overall.
Just finished Re-Cert for CPR. Hands only is fine, but for only about the first 4 min.s. After that the oxygen reserve is depleted. As long as 911 has sent EMTs and they arrive within that time frame hands only is fine. If they are taking longer a couple of breaths to add more oxygen will be needed. Stats are only 1 to 2 out of 100 are revived with CPR alone (either type.) If an AED is started shortly success rises to more than 70%!
I did the Heimlich maneuver on a pet boa constrictor once. That didn't go well.