Continuous Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation Overview

Combined compressions with ventilation is still the best known care to provide a patient in cardiac arrest. We understand, however, that there are circumstances that do not allow for this where the responder or Good Samaritan may be unwilling or unable to provide breathing assistance. This is where Compression Only CPR is effective.

The Theory

It is understandable that for safety and bloodborne pathogen precaution reasons, mouth-to-mouth ventilation is not always an appropriate or desired action. If the patients mouth is bloody or there is a chance for contamination to you, compression-only CPR is a choice that can still provide the patient with a chance at survival.

The theory is that compression-only CPR optimizes blood flow through the body since there is no interruption in compressions and the body is able to build up pressure to perfuse vital organs like the brain, heart, etc..

Technique

This technique is easy because you have already learned the most important part! First, you must activate 911 or direct someone to do so. Next, you place your hands in the center of the patient's chest and begin compressions. The rate we are shooting for is 100 per minute. However, unlike normal CPR, we continue this with no interruptions until help arrives. We do not provide ventilations with Compression Only CPR so there is no reason to pause in compressions.

Research

There has been research on both CPR and Compression Only CPR; however, neither one has proven to be more effective then the next.

Children, on the other hand, usually suffer from cardiac arrest secondary to a respiratory failure, so compressions with ventilations would be highly recommended under these circumstances.

Research has also shown that more people are willing to intervene when they do not have to give mouth-to-mouth.