New CPR Guidelines Can Save More Lives

Revised CPR guidelines issued in October, 2010 intruct bystanders attempting to revive someone in a state of cardiac arrest to skip mouth-to-mouth resuscitation and go straight to performing rapid chest compressions after calling 9-1-1. Previously, guidelines had called for the A-B-C (airway, breathing, chest compression) approach-checking the airway and then performing the breathing technique. The revised guidleine highlights C-A-B (chest compression, airway, breathing). The exceptions involve children and victims whose breathing is obstructed, whether because of choking or following a drowning rescue: in such cases, the conventional approach still applies.

Why have they changed the guidelines? In part, the change reflects a concern that most victims of cardiac arrest fail to receive any CPR from bystanders in the critical minutes after their heart stops. Many people don't want to do mouth-to-mouth, so they do nothing. The new guidelines simplify the process and get straight to the compressions before valuable time is wasted.

The other reason for the change in guidelines is that studies have shown that so-called hands-only CPR increases the likelihood of survival in comparison to the A-B-C approach.

Only about 8% of those who suffer cardiac arrest outside a hospital survive with their brain function intact, notes Dr. Ghurabi from UCLA Medical Center. When proper techniques are performed the rate is substantilally higher. The battle is won and lost in the field, so immediate action is necessary. By shifting the focus to circulating blood as long as possible in that critical time, many lives will be saved. Let's hope none of us need CPR or have to administer it, but it's good to know if the need arises.