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Founded 05-05-05

Compression-Only CPR: What You Need To Know

Story by Garrett Simmons

Recently, experts at the American Heart Association have been advocating a compression-only, or “hands-only,” CPR method to be used in cardiac arrest emergencies. Experts hope that the simpler compression-only method, which calls for uninterrupted chest presses without the accompanying rescue breaths, will encourage bystanders to assist in emergency situations.

However, Lynn Norwood, director of health and safety at the Watauga County Red Cross, warned, “While the information [on compression-only CPR] is accurate to a point, it is incomplete.” Norwood stressed that the misuse of the compression-only method could cost more lives that it saves. Here’s what you need to know:

Compression-only CPR works only on victims who have a significant amount of oxygen still in their bloodstream. In cases of cardiac arrest, in which the heart instantly stops pumping, enough oxygen is left in the bloodstream to sustain brain tissue for several minutes.

Experts suggest that in these cases, rescue breaths might actually be harmful because during the time it takes to administer the breaths, the flow of oxygenated blood stops. Compression-only CPR keeps oxygenated blood flowing continuously to vital organs until paramedics arrive.

But as Norwood pointed out, not all cardiac arrests are the result of heart disease. “Reports on compression-only CPR failed to mention that near drowning, drug overdose, and carbon monoxide poisoning all require rescue breathing,” she said. In these cases, and several others, cardiac arrest is not the cause of victim’s collapse, but the result of some other trauma, usually respiratory arrest.

Respiratory arrest is the obstructed or restricted intake of oxygenated air. A victim’s heart continues to pump, depleting the bloodstream’s oxygen reserves. Norwood said in these cases it is vital for a victim to receive fresh oxygen. “Using compression-only CPR on victims whose blood is no longer oxygenated is a completely wrong diagnosis,” she said. “The results could be fatal.”

For these reasons, Norwood urged rescuers to follow a simple set of guidelines before administering compression-only CPR. “It should only be used on adults, and only if the collapse was witnessed,” she said.

Norwood said that by witnessing the collapse, rescuers can better assess the emergency, ruling out the need for rescue breathing. “Compression-only CPR can be effective, but only under the correct circumstances,” she said.

Although American Heart Association guidelines have been moving toward compression-only CPR for years, those who take CPR training will still need to take full CPR (cycles of chest compressions and rescue breaths) training to meet state and federal requirements.

For more info, contact Lynn Norwood at 828-264-8226 or americanredcr141@bellsouth.net.