Chest compressions — The first-line response

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is a lifesaving skill, helpful in many situations including:

Cardiac arrest
Drowning
Trauma
Electrical shock

The American Heart Association recommends that everyone — untrained bystanders and medical personnel alike — begin CPR with chest compression. ¹

CPR uses chest compression to imitate how the heart transports blood to the whole body. These compressions help keep oxygenated blood flowing to the brain and other vital organs until proper medical treatment can be provided. ²

During cardiac arrest, stoppage of oxygenated blood supply can damage the brain in only a few minutes. It can prove to be fatal within eight to ten minutes. ¹

Why is compression important?

The opportunity for a successful resuscitation can be extended by keeping the blood flow active, even partially, until trained medical help arrives on site. ³

CPR saves a life

At the present, about ninety percent of the people who suffer cardiac arrest outside the hospital expire. But CPR improves chances of saving a life if it is performed at the beginning of the cardiac arrest. The prospect of saving a person’s life can be double or triple with CPR. ²

Recognition of cardiac arrest

The person is healthy one moment and you unexpectedly see or hear them fall down. You then monitor the reflexes of the person by “shaking and shouting” (Are you alright?) and rub the sternum with your knuckles. This helps to decide whether a person had some other injury or they are suffering cardiac arrest. If the person doesn’t respond, you should make an assumption that the person has experienced cardiac arrest. Tell someone or call yourself for emergency responders. Start chest compressions. Do not delay chest compressions if the pulse cannot be felt within 10 seconds. Just do your best. If you stand still and do nothing, the person is going to expire. ⁴

Chest compressions

A person present on the site, whether trained or not, should start chest compressions to the victim suffering cardiac arrest. Chest compressions are now the first-line response rather than opening the airway and delivering rescue breathing. High-quality chest compressions are necessary: Follow the mantra: “push fast and push hard on the center of the chest (i.e., sternum)”

Chest compressions must be at least 2 inches deep with each down-stroke.
Rate of compressions must be 100 per minute.
While performing chest compressions the duration and frequency of interruptions must be minimized.

Chest compressions with ventilation can be provided by those who are trained in the technique and will be performed by professional medical staff.

Complications

The object of chest compression is to supply blood to the brain, heart, and other vital organs of the body until accurate medical treatment can be provided. If chest compression is not started as quickly as possible the person experiencing cardiac arrest is likely to die. Complications may include fracture of the ribs, broken teeth, infections, and puncture of the lung. ⁵ These problems are normally controllable and should not stop anyone from performing CPR. If CPR is performed on someone who didn’t need it, though it can be uncomfortable for that person, only about 2% suffer any type of injury as a result.

Conclusion

It is very uncommon that only chest compressions can recover the heart. However, by continuing constant chest compressions you can dramatically improve the odds of survival by maintaining the victim’s heart in a condition that increases the likelihood that shocks from a defibrillator, administered through bystanders using an automated external defibrillator (AED), or administered by paramedics will result in survival. ⁴

Chest compressions are the first line response in CPR. If you are hesitant to do mouth-to-mouth, chest compressions alone may still be life-saving.⁶ It’s far better to do something than to do nothing at all if you are afraid and doubtful of your knowledge and abilities. Remember, the difference between you doing something and doing nothing could be someone’s life ¹ For more information in this regard checkout our ACLS BLS recertification online and take CPR online classes.

Learn about BLS vs ACLS relation by checking out our online courses like online ACLS recertification and BLS certification and recertification courses.

References

https://www.mayoclinic.org/first-aid/first-aid-cpr/basics/art-20056600
https://www.cdc.gov/heart-disease/about/heart-attack.html
https://cpr.heart.org/en/resources/what-is-cpr
[https://heart.arizona.edu/heart-health/learn-cpr/frequently-asked-questions-about-chest-compression-only-cpr](https://heart.arizona.edu/heart-health/learn-cpr/frequently-asked-questions-about-chest-compression-only-cpr)
https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/conditionsandtreatments/cardiopulmonary-resuscitation-cpr