Easier-to-Learn CPR
Method Could Double Survival Rates
Nov. 4, 2003 - The
University of Arizona Sarver Heart
Center yesterday announced two major initiatives
that could double the number of people who survive out-of-hospital
cardiac arrest.
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In
witnessed sudden cardiac arrest in adults, mouth-to-mouth
resuscitation is not necessary.* Follow these instructions to
perform Continuous Chest Compression CPR:
1. Direct someone to call 911 or
make the call yourself.
2. Position the victim on his or
her back on the floor. Place one hand on top of the other and
place the heel of the bottom hand on the center of the victims
chest. Lock your elbows and begin forceful chest compressions at a
rate of 100 per minute.
3. If an AED is available, attach
it to the victim and follow the machines instructions. If no AED
is available, perform continuous chest compressions until
paramedics arrive. Take turns if you have a partner.
* In cases involving children,
suspected drowning or suspected drug overdose, follow standard CPR
procedure (alternating 15 chest compressions with two
mouth-to-mouth breaths). |
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 Watch
an online
...demonstration
- High bandwidth version*
-
Low bandwidth version*
.....*Requires
RealOne
Player |
At the center of both initiatives is a
breakthrough method of cardiopulmonary resuscitation that emphasizes
chest compressions and eliminates the need for mouth-to-mouth breathing.
Called continuous chest compression CPR, the method is easier to
learn, remember and perform than standard CPR, which has existed for
more than 40 years.
Stopping chest compressions to give
mouth-to-mouth breaths may be more harmful than helpful, the Sarver
Heart Center 's CPR Research Group has found.
In standard CPR, 15 chest compressions
are delivered and then two mouth-to-mouth breaths are given. While the
compressions are performed, oxygenated blood is moved through the body
and delivered to the organs. When the compressions are stopped, no blood
is moved and the organs essentially are starved. Compounding the problem
is the fact that people take much longer to give the breaths than
previously believed.
Moreover, research conducted at the
Sarver Heart Center and elsewhere has shown that overwhelming numbers of
people will not perform CPR because they are reluctant to do
mouth-to-mouth breathing.
These findings have convinced the Sarver
Heart Center of the need to immediately apply new techniques that have
been proven to save more lives.
By teaming up with the
Tucson Fire Department
, a nationally recognized pioneer in emergency pre-hospital
patient care, the Sarver Heart Center believes Tucson can achieve one of
the highest survival rates in the nation for out-of-hospital cardiac
arrest.
The first initiative, called the
Sarver Heart Center/Tucson Fire
Department CPR Initiative , is expected to have a
significant effect on the city's cardiac survival rates.
Under the guidance of the Sarver Heart
Center , TFD has made important modifications to the procedures that its
firefighters and paramedics follow when responding to sudden
cardiacarrest calls. The primary change is an increase in the number of
chest compressions administered to victims and a decrease in the amount
of time spent on steps that interrupt chest compressions.
The second initiative is the
Be a Lifesaver
public education campaign, a citywide effort to educate the citizens of
Tucson about CCC-CPR. The Sarver Heart Center will urge Tucsonans to
learn and use the simple, three-step CCC-CPR:
1. Direct
someone to call 911 or make the call yourself.
2. Position
the victim on the floor on his or her back. Place one hand on top of the
other and place the heel of the bottom hand on the center of the
victim's chest. Lock your elbows and begin forceful chest compressions
at a rate of 100 per minute.
3. If
an automated external defibrillator is available, attach it to the
victim and follow the machine's instructions. If no AED is available,
perform continuous chest compressions until paramedics arrive. Take
turns if you have a partner.
With CCC-CPR, there not only is a better
chance of bystander participation, but a much greater chance that the
victim will survive.
The method will be taught during two
public demonstrations at University Medical Center on Nov. 29 and Dec.
20.
Doctors and researchers at the UA Sarver
Heart Center have been active in CPR research for more than 30 years and
have earned an international reputation for their findings and
recommendations, many of which were incorporated in the American Heart
Association's 2000 CPR Guidelines.
Gordon A. Ewy, MD
,
director of the Sarver Heart Center and chief of cardiology at the UA
College of Medicine, is one of a handful of people in the world to have
been named a CPR Giant by the American Heart Association. The honor
recognizes his significant contributions in the field.
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