Every three days, more Americans die from sudden cardiac arrest than the number who died in the 9-11 attacks. You can lessen this recurring loss by learning Continuous Chest Compression CPR, a hands-only CPR method that doubles a person’s chance of surviving cardiac arrest. It’s easy and does not require mouth-to-mouth contact, making it more likely bystanders will try to help, and it was developed here at the University of Arizona College of Medicine. “This video is worth sharing,” said Gordon A. Ewy, MD, director of the UA Sarver Heart Center and one of the research pioneers who developed this method.
Sarver Heart Center’s newest video was developed to make it easy for people to learn Continuous Chest Compression CPR. Dr. Ewy is hoping the video, which is posted on YouTube, goes “viral” and gives more people the opportunity to be lifesavers. “Every day people are asked to forward e-mails to their entire contact lists. This is one e-mail link that can truly make a difference in people’s lives,” said Karl B. Kern, MD, professor of medicine at the UA College of Medicine, who chairs the Sarver Heart Center resuscitation group.
If you see someone collapse who isn’t responsive and has trouble breathing:
1. Tell someone to call 911 or make the call yourself.
2. Position the person with the back on the floor. Place the heel of one hand on the center of the chest (between the nipples) and the heel of the other hand on top of the first. Lock your elbows, position your shoulders over your hands and use your upper-body weight to “fall” downward. Lift your hands slightly each time to allow the chest wall to recoil. Try to compress at 100 beats per minute and about 2 inches deep until emergency help arrives.
Note: Mouth-to-mouth CPR still is recommended for drowning and very small children.