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Can you save a life with chest-compressions?

Compression-only cardiopulmonary resuscitation (giving continuous chest compressions during lifesaving CPR) has recently been in the media as an alternative to CPR combining chest compressions and rescue breathing.

The Red Cross supports the use of compression-only CPR in the following cases:

  • When a bystander/responder is unwilling, unable, untrained or unsure how to perform full CPR (cycles of chest compressions and rescue breaths).
  • When a bystander has witnessed the sudden collapse of an adult.
  • Compression-only CPR makes it easier for bystanders who witness the sudden collapse of an adult to get involved. If this occurs, bystanders should have someone call 9-1-1 or the local emergency number and then start performing chest compressions until help arrives or the adult shows obvious signs of life (breathing and movement).
“We know that not everyone has had CPR training, or that someone might not do rescue breathing in an emergency because they don’t remember exactly how it was taught in class,” said Mark Dashner, Greater Buffalo Chapter training operations manager.  “Compression-only CPR is easy to remember and will help save an adult’s life, and saving that life is the most important thing.”
 
Compression-Only CPR should not be used for infants and children, for an adult whose sudden collapse is not witnessed or where a respiratory emergency may have caused the cardiac arrest. An automated external defibrillator (AED) should be used as soon as possible, even if the sudden collapse was not witnessed.

Full CPR training (with chest compressions and rescue breathing) is still encouraged for:

  • those who take CPR training for certification to meet state and federal requirements.
  • lay responders in workplaces who have a duty to respond.
  • those responsible for infants and children.
This viewpoint on compression-only CPR does not affect the curriculum or skills taught in current Red Cross lay responder or professional rescuer level courses. It is still important to learn full CPR (cycles of chest compressions and rescue breaths) in order to know what to do during an emergency.

The Greater Buffalo Chapter of the American Red Cross prepares for, and responds to, community disasters and emergencies and helps people lead safe and healthy lives.  The American Red Cross is one of the oldest and largest volunteer driven organizations in the United States and locally depends on the contributions of 1,000 volunteers to provide its emergency service and health education programs.
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