Does Hands Only CPR Work?

Taking a basic CPR class is crucial for equipping yourself with life-saving skills. Enrolling in a CPR class can prepare you to respond effectively in emergency situations, potentially saving lives. Traditional CPR involves both chest compressions and rescue breaths, designed to sustain life until emergency medical help arrives. However, there are situations where administering rescue breaths might not be safe for the responder. Understanding these scenarios and mastering hands-only CPR can ensure you provide effective assistance without compromising your safety.

Situations Where Rescue Breaths Might Not Be Safe

1. Traumatic Injuries: In cases where the victim’s face is covered in blood due to an accident, the risk of transmitting bloodborne pathogens through rescue breaths is significant. Open wounds, especially those involving the mouth or face, can expose the responder to various infections.

2. Choking: If the victim has stopped breathing due to choking, giving breaths might push the obstruction further down the airway, complicating the situation. Instead, focus on chest compressions to create pressure that might dislodge the object.

3. Disease Transmission: Concerns about contracting viral diseases such as Hepatitis, AIDS, or COVID-19 have made many bystanders hesitant to perform mouth-to-mouth resuscitation. Hands-only CPR eliminates this risk and encourages more people to take action. However, rescue breathing remains crucial in specific circumstances, such as for infants and drowning victims, to improve survival chances until professional help arrives.

Hands-Only CPR: An Effective Alternative

Hands-only CPR, also known as compression-only CPR, focuses solely on chest compressions. This method is easier to perform and eliminates the need for mouth-to-mouth resuscitation, making it a safer and more feasible option for many individuals, especially in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic.

It is crucial to perform hands-only CPR as a straightforward and vital lifesaving technique that can be executed by bystanders in emergency situations, significantly increasing the chances of survival during out-of-hospital cardiac arrests.

Benefits of Hands-Only CPR

1. Simplicity: Without the need to alternate between compressions and breaths, hands-only CPR is straightforward, reducing the likelihood of errors.

2. Safety: Reduces the risk of disease transmission between the rescuer and the victim.

3. Importance: Bystander CPR is a critical intervention in emergencies, particularly in situations involving sudden cardiac arrest (SCA). Trained bystanders can significantly improve survival rates when they intervene promptly and effectively during a cardiac event.

Steps for Hands-Only CPR

1. Ensure Safety: Before administering CPR, ensure the scene is safe for both you and the victim. Look for potential hazards such as traffic, electrical wires, or unstable surfaces.

2. Call 911: The first step is to call emergency services. The average response time for an ambulance in the United States is between five to ten minutes. Ensuring that help is on the way is crucial.

• Immediate Action: Call emergency services immediately. Prompt medical intervention is essential.

• Assign a Caller: If you’re with others, designate someone to call 911 while you begin first aid.

• Provide Information: Clearly describe the location, the condition of the victim, and any immediate actions taken.

3. Check Responsiveness** and Breathing**:

• Check Responsiveness: Gently shake the person and shout to see if they respond. Look for any signs of movement or verbal response.

• Check Breathing: Observe for chest rise, listen for breath sounds, and feel for breath on your cheek. If the person is not breathing, start CPR immediately. It is crucial to begin Hands-Only CPR right away if the person is not breathing normally.

• Check Pulse: Feel for a pulse at the carotid artery (side of the neck) or the radial artery (wrist). If there is no pulse, start CPR.

4. Begin Chest Compressions:

• Hand Placement: Place the heel of one hand on the center of the chest, then place the heel of your other hand on top of the first hand. Interlock your fingers and keep your elbows straight.

• Compression Technique: Use your body weight to press down hard and fast, at least 2 inches deep for adults and children, and about 1.5 inches deep for infants.

• Compression Rate: Perform compressions at a rate of 100-120 compressions per minute. The beat of the song “Stayin’ Alive” by the Bee Gees can help you maintain the correct rhythm.

5. Continue Compressions: Do not stop compressions until emergency medical help arrives or the person shows signs of life (e.g., movement, normal breathing).

• Switch Rescuers if Possible: If another trained person is available, take turns performing compressions every two minutes to prevent fatigue.

• Avoid Interruptions: Minimize interruptions in chest compressions to ensure continuous blood flow to the brain and vital organs.

Additional Tips for Effective Hands-Only CPR

1. Stay Focused: Concentrate on maintaining the correct depth and rate of compressions. Consistency is key to effective CPR.

2. Use a Hard Surface: Ensure the victim is lying on a firm surface, such as the ground, to maximize the effectiveness of chest compressions.

3. Monitor for Fatigue: If you begin to feel fatigued, ask someone else to take over if possible. Quality of compressions is vital for maintaining blood flow.

Knowing how to perform CPR is a critical skill in emergencies, especially involving children and infants. Acting quickly in life-threatening situations can ensure positive outcomes.

Clearing the Airway

1. Coughing or Vomiting: If the person is coughing or vomiting, turn them on their side to keep the airway clear and prevent aspiration.

2. Avoid Further Obstruction: Check for and remove any visible obstructions in the mouth using a finger sweep only if you can see the object. In emergencies, especially involving children, it is crucial not to delay giving CPR to ensure the best chance of survival.

Providing Emotional Support

1. Reassurance: Calmly reassure the person and keep them warm.

2. Stay Calm: Your composed demeanor can help reduce the person’s anxiety.

3. Communicate Clearly: Use simple and clear language to explain what you are doing and why.

Providing emotional support can help save a life during a cardiac emergency.

Seeking Medical Evaluation

1. Post-Rescue Care: Even if the person seems to recover, seek medical evaluation immediately. Delayed complications such as secondary drowning can occur. After a cardiac arrest, it is crucial to seek medical evaluation to ensure there are no delayed complications.

2. Monitor for Symptoms: Watch for any changes in breathing, consciousness, or behavior and report them to healthcare professionals.

3. Document the Incident: Record the time of the incident, the actions taken, and the person’s response to help medical personnel.

Preventing Future Incidents

1. Swimming Lessons: Ensure all family members learn to swim. Swimming lessons should cover basic survival skills, such as floating and treading water.

2. Use Life Jackets: Always use Coast Guard-approved life jackets, especially for non-swimmers and in unpredictable water conditions. Ensure the life jacket fits properly.

3. Supervise Closely: Never leave children or weak swimmers unattended near water. Maintain constant visual contact and avoid distractions such as phones.

4. Follow Safety Rules: Adhere to posted signs, swim in designated areas, and follow water safety guidelines.

5. Learn CPR: Get CPR certified and keep your skills updated to be prepared for emergencies. Being prepared for sudden cardiac arrest by learning CPR and keeping your skills updated can be life-saving.

6. Install Barriers: If you have a pool, ensure it is fenced with a self-closing, self-latching gate.

Conclusion

Near-drowning incidents are potentially life-threatening, but with prompt action and appropriate first aid, lives can be saved. Recognizing the signs, ensuring safety, removing the person from the water, performing CPR, and seeking medical help are vital steps. MyCPR NOW advocates for water safety through education and training, ensuring individuals are equipped with the skills to respond effectively. By promoting swimming lessons, using life jackets, supervising closely, and following water safety rules, you can prevent near-drowning incidents. Remember, being prepared and knowledgeable can make a critical difference in saving lives during water-related emergencies. If you witness an adult suddenly collapse, immediate action is crucial to improve the chances of survival.