Interested in having timely and informative safety-related information sent directly to your e-mail box? LSS publishes our no-charge Saf-T-News every other week. To begin receiving your copy, click here.

CPR Guidelines

History

Sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) is still the leading cause of death in the United States and Canada. Approximately 330,000 people die in the United States each year from coronary heart disease. When the heart stops beating during cardiac arrest, the brain starts to die within 5 minutes and is certain to be completely dead in 10 minutes. Some victims can last longer due to hypothermia from a cold water drowning or when a bystander is doing CPR (Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation). CPR keeps oxygenated blood flowing to the brain and heart and can keep the victims’ brain alive longer than 10 minutes. CPR is a combination of chest compressions and mouth-to-mouth ventilations performed by a bystander until medical help arrives. The proper rate and ratio has been studied by the American Heart Association (AHA) for years. Recently, the AHA made some changes to the procedures that are already increasing survival rates.

Chain of Survival

Performing CPR alone is not usually what saves most victims, it takes a chain of events to help improve survival. The first link of the chain is early access to call 911 or the Emergency Medical Services in your area. The second link is to start early CPR without interruption. Third is early defibrillation from new Public AED’s (Automated External Defibrillators). The fourth link is Early Advanced Life Support by EMT’s or Paramedics who can provide specific medications to help revive a victim.

Good Samaritan Laws

Getting someone to perform CPR is another challenge because people are afraid of diseases and law suits if they do something wrong. Most states have enacted Good Samaritan Laws to encourage people to help others in emergency situations. These laws give legal protection to people who provide emergency care to ill or injured persons. They require that the “Good Samaritan” use common sense and a reasonable level of skill not to exceed the scope of the individual’s training in emergency situations.

New 2005 CPR Guidelines

The new guidelines require faster, harder and more chest compressions with less interruption for ventilations. “Basically, the more someone pushes on the chest, the better off the patient is,” said Dr. Michael Sayre of Ohio State University Emergency Medicine who helped develop the new guidelines for the American Heart Association. The streamline guidelines should make it easier for people to learn CPR. The new Ratio is 30 compressions to 2 breaths for all victims young or old at a rate of 100 compressions per minute until help arrives with a defibrillator or the victim starts breathing.

4 Simple Steps to CPR

After finding an adult victim unresponsive, first call 911, then follow these four steps.

1. Carefully position the person flat on his or her back; tilt the head back and lift the chin; then look and listen for chest movement and breathing.
2. If the person is not breathing, pinch the nose and give the person two breaths over 1 to 2 seconds in duration to produce a visible chest rise.
3. Place your hands in the center of the person’s chest between the nipples; place one hand on top of the other and with elbows locked press the heel of your hand into the chest until resistance and then let the chest fully rise back up.
4. Give 30 of these chest compressions for every two breaths; repeat this until medical help with a defibrillator arrives or the person starts breathing.

For children (ages 1 to 8), compress the heel of one hand in the same location as the adult. For infants (age under 1), compress two fingers of one hand in the same location as the adult.

There is no need to check for a pulse or circulation if a person is not breathing or moving, just start these steps to CPR.

Changes for Automated External Defibrillators (AED’s)

AED’s can double the chance of survival if they’re used within the first 5 minutes; however, all AED’s will have to be reprogrammed to follow the new CPR Guidelines. CPR should be performed for 2 minutes or 200 compressions before an AED is used. CPR should be immediately restarted for 2 more minutes after each shock or analysis of the hearts rhythm from the defibrillator. AED’s can also be used on children between the ages of 1 and 8 if the appropriate pediatric pads are used. AED users are also covered under the Good Samaritan Law.

Diseases

Many people fear CPR because of the risk of contracting a virus or disease when performing mouth-to-mouth. Even though the risk is minimal, there are special plastic barrier devices available to prevent contact with the victims’ mouth. If the bystander doesn’t have a barrier available at the time and doesn’t want to perform mouth-to-mouth, then it is recommended to at least perform continuous chest compressions with the airway open for passive ventilation. Remember, that any CPR is better than doing nothing.

Sources For More Information

For other documents related to this topic please see EZ facts document numbers 116 and 105.

Regulations: 29 CFR 1910.151(b) and The American Heart Association site.

CPR Masks , disposable gloves, and AEDs.

Commonly Asked Questions

FREE Technical Support
When you have a question, you can rely on our team of technical experts. They'll answer your questions about product specifications, chemical compatibility, regulatory issues, and general worker safety and health.
Call our Safety TECHline™ Technical Support toll-free: 800-356-2501 (6 a.m. to 9 p.m. CT, Monday - Friday). Or e-mail our Technical Support Staff at techsvc@labsafety.com anytime!

FREE Catalog
For products to meet all your workplace safety and industrial needs, turn to Lab Safety Supply. In it you'll find thousands of safety and industrial products, plus a complete service package and our 100% guarantee to stand behind them.
Click here to select a catalog and fill out a request form on-line, or call today to reserve your free copy: 800-356-0783 (7 a.m. to 9 p.m. CT, Monday - Friday).