How to Save a Life with Hands-Only CPR
Most of us have seen and heard about CPR. This life-saving skill uses chest compressions and ventilation to supply the brain with oxygen in the event of a cardiac emergency. While many of us know about this important technique, not many know how to perform it. Some people may even shy away from learning, simply because mouth-to-mouth resuscitation sounds scary due to communicable disease.
Why CPR Matters
According to the American Heart Association, in many of these cases, timely and properly-performed CPR was not given. Had CPR been performed in those crucial moments, many of those victims may have survived.
What Is Traditional CPR?
Short for cardiopulmonary resuscitation, CPR is a hands-on skill that manually pumps a person’s blood circulation to supply the brain with oxygen in the event of heart failure. Traditional CPR can keep oxygenated blood flowing to the brain and other vital organs until more advanced medical treatment can be administered to restore a normal heart rhythm.
While effective, traditional CPR can be somewhat of a dealbreaker for bystanders to perform. For most, this is because performing mouth-to-mouth resuscitation on another person often seems uncomfortable or even hazardous. Thankfully, hands-only CPR has a solution.
What Is Hands-Only CPR?
Hands-only CPR is CPR without the breaths. That’s right—in hands-only CPR, no mouth-to-mouth breathing is done. While this is great news for those who are averse to mouth-to-mouth contact, many may still ask: is hands-only CPR effective?
According to a comprehensive study published in The New England Journal of Medicine, the answer is almost always yes.
Why is hands-only CPR as effective as its traditional counterpart? The answer has to do with the purpose of chest compressions and mouth-to-mouth. Compressions are performed to maintain blood circulation and to supply organs (including the brain) with blood and oxygen—in most cases, this is the top priority. Mouth-to-mouth, on the other hand, supplies the lungs with additional oxygen, which is then passed onto the blood. Usually, the blood has enough oxygen for the victim to only require chest compressions.
When to Use Hands-Only CPR
Hands-only CPR can be performed during most cardiac emergencies. According to recommendations from the American Heart Association, there are only a few instances where traditional CPR with breaths is preferred. These include:
- Cardiac emergencies involving infants and children
- Drowning victims
- Individuals who have collapsed due to breathing issues
In all other cases, hands-only CPR may be used.
How to Perform Hands-Only CPR
Performing hands-only CPR is a relatively simple process but should be learned through professional instruction in an accredited CPR certification course. Here are the basics:
Position Your Hands
Place your two interlocking hands on the victim’s chest, just above the nipple line.
Start Compressions at the Right Tempo
Begin chest compressions at 100–120 beats per minute. Popular songs at this tempo include “Stayin’ Alive” by the Bee Gees or “Walk the Line” by Johnny Cash. Syncing your compressions to any one of these tunes will help you compress at the right rate/tempo.
Push Hard and Deep
Push hard enough to compress the chest at least two inches for adults and teens, or at least one inch for small children.
Don’t Stop
Continue administering hands-only CPR until medical personnel arrives.
🎓 Get Certified Today
By successfully completing our CPR certification course at Save A Life CPR Training Center, you’ll gain the skills to perform both traditional and hands-only CPR.
Ready to learn how to save a life? Visit our website to learn more, or contact us to enroll today!
References & Further Reading
- American Heart Association – https://www.heart.org
- Mayo Clinic: CPR First Aid Basics – https://www.mayoclinic.org/first-aid/first-aid-cpr/basics/art-20056600
- The New England Journal of Medicine – Studies on Hands-Only CPR Effectiveness – https://www.nejm.org
- Red Cross CPR Guidelines – https://www.redcross.org/take-a-class/cpr