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"Hands Only CPR" What does this all mean?

Posted by Joseph Ceccarelli on Fri, May 09, 2008
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The new concept of Hands Only CPR under the RIGHT circumstance can be just as effective as Traditional CPR, 2 breaths, 30 compressions, 5 cycles in 2 minutes.

In surveys taken, trained and untrained lay rescuers said they would be more apt to help someone if they did not have to do "mouth to mouth" on the victim. So, by doing fast and hard compressions you can help the victim and give them the same chance of survival as if you add rescue breaths.

This is only true under the RIGHT circumstances. The Hands Only CPR can only be effective if you witness the person go unresponsive from cardiac arrest. The key is you must witness it happen in order to use the Hands Only CPR.

CPR is to keep oxygenated blood pumping to the brain to keep it from dying. When your brain hits 4 minutes of no oxygenated blood going to it, it will begin to die. So, when you witness someone go unresponsive from cardiac arrest the body stores at least 4 minutes worth of oxygenated blood in their body. Some research has shown that the body may store even more oxygen in the blood, as much as 6 to 8 minutes worth.

 In conclusion,if you do fast and hard compressions you will give the victim the best change of survival. 

 Those numbers would work based on the national average that EMS response time is 8 minutes.That is why and how the Hands Only CPR can and will be effective. Please note response times will vary depending on your location. 

Hands Only CPR will NOT work under the following conditions:

 when you find someone who has gone unresponsive from cardiac arrest,

when you are already using an AED

 or If the victim is a child or an infant.

In summary, basically, if you witness or find someone who is unresponsive and not breathing they are dead. You can not make anyone worse off than dead, so, anything you do can only help. More people might be willing to help if they only did compressions and that is better than nothing.

For further information or if you have questions please feel free to contact us.

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COMMENTS

Hello Joe
This is a great post. You are right if they are not responsive then they are gone and what can be worse than that. So we must think quickly and act because someone's loved one's life hangs in the balance.
Keep up the good work.
Mark

posted @ Saturday, May 10, 2008 8:58 AM by mark paskell


Mark,
Thank you for your comments. Making some good decisions in the first few minutes can make all the difference.
Regards,
Joe

posted @ Monday, May 12, 2008 11:21 AM by Joseph Ceccarelli


Great to know!. Thanks for the updates!

posted @ Monday, May 12, 2008 1:47 PM by John Vangel


John,
No problem, I want to make the information available. The news stories don't always cover it all.
Regards,
Joe

posted @ Monday, May 12, 2008 3:16 PM by Joseph Ceccarelli


I never knew this. I always thought Standard CPR was the right answer in all cases, this adjusts my views on it a lot. Cardiac Arrest is when a person's heart stops, what are the standard signs to know the difference?

posted @ Tuesday, May 20, 2008 5:52 PM by Nick Inglis


Nick,
The ways to tell if someone has gone into cardiac arrest is if they collapse, go unresponsive and stop breathing. It is possible that someone is unresponisive but still alive, that is why you check for breathing. If a person has stopped breathing we want you to staet CPR right away. If you have any other questions please let me know.
Regards,
Joe

posted @ Tuesday, May 20, 2008 6:49 PM by Joseph Ceccarelli


I enjoyed reading this.
I teach BLS, & try to make the student understand time is very important, as well as 911 & acting
promptly.

posted @ Sunday, June 01, 2008 12:35 PM by Tom Green


Tom,
I am glad you enjoyed the article. There is more than the actual action that needs to take place. Calling for help and trying to act quickly is very important.
Thank you for your post.
Regards,
Joe

posted @ Tuesday, June 03, 2008 4:03 PM by Joseph Ceccarelli


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