Can someone tell me why?

Question

My wife just finished her anual recertification on first aid. And she tells me that the propper procedure for CPR is now 30 compressions to 2 breaths and no checking, just continue until you get a responce. According to the American Heart Association. And they are talking about leaving out breathing all together, with just compressions alone. I learned when I was a junior life gurard it was 5 to 1 look then lishten. Samething when I was in boyscouts and the Army. Why the change?

Answer 1

Studies have shown that the compressions are what keeps the person alive. Stopping chest compressions to blow air into the lungs of someone who is unresponsive detracts from the more important task of keeping blood moving to provide oxygen and nourishment to the brain and heart.

Another big advantage to dropping the rescue breaths: It could make bystanders more willing to provide CPR in the first place. Many are unwilling to do the mouth-to-mouth part and become flummoxed and fearful of getting the ratio right in an emergency.

Answer 2

Because the compressions save the life. The blood is well-oxygenated, so moving it through the head is the single most vital issue.

The talk about omitting breathing is a bit premature. If the rescuer does not know CPR, they will often be told ot just do compressions, but so far the studies do not support dropping breathing all together.

Red Cross Adult CPR for lay rescuers no longer check the adult victim's pulse- we go straight to 30:2 CPR and keep it up until there is a change in circumstances (AED shows up, victim improves, etc.) This offers the largest number of life-saving compressions possible.

Man, we have not done 5:1 in a really, REALLY long time!