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Red Cross okays chest-compression CPR

In some cases, compression-only CPR is the preferred method

for members of the public who witness an adult suddenly collapse.

The issue has recently emerged based on research published in the journal Circulation.

Chest compressions pump the heart, circulating oxygen already in the victim’s

body. This makes compression-only CPR suitable for an adult victim who

suddenly collapses.

Compression-only CPR should not be used when the oxygen in the victim’s body has likely been used up, such as with a drowning victim or when a respiratory emergency may have caused the cardiac arrest.

When an infant or child’s heart stops, it’s usually because of a respiratory

emergency, such as choking or asthma, which uses up their body’s oxygen,

therefore they would require full CPR, including rescue breaths.

“Compression-only CPR is giving continuous chest compressions of approximately 100 compressions per minute, without giving rescue breaths,” says Rick Caissie, Canadian Red Cross National Manager, First Aid Programs.

The most important thing for Canadians to know right now is that the CPR they’ve

been trained to perform is not “wrong.”

All Canadian Red Cross CPR courses will continue to teach full CPR. Early CPR remains one of the most critical factors in surviving cardiac arrest. The basic steps remain the same:

· Get help – call 911 to activate your local emergency medical system.

· Start CPR to keep the blood flowing.

CPR is easy to learn and saves lives. Full CPR (cycles of chest compressions and

rescue breaths) is still important to learn. It is critical to know what to do during

an emergency. Red Cross first aid and CPR training can give people the skills and

the confidence to act in an emergency.