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Paul Nelson reportingSome doctors say CPR should be changed permanently, and mouth-to-mouth breathing should be eliminated. But not all cardiologists support this theory just yet.
We've heard lots of stories recently about a new way to give CPR. Basically, you drop rescue breathing altogether and just give chest compressions. Some doctors say it works better than regular CPR, but not all cardiologists are on board with this suggestion.
American Heart Association of Utah Affiliate Board of Directors member Dr. Kevin Whitehead said, "Studies have shown that doing chest compressions alone by untrained bystanders was not harmful and offered some benefit."
The American Heart Association has officially endorsed a "hands-only CPR," which it says can save lives. However, Whitehead doesn't say it's better than traditional CPR. He only says it's better than doing nothing.
"The untrained public should not be afraid to try and help to provide those chest compressions," he said.
Whitehead says people are still encouraged to get certified training in CPR, and rescue breathing is still very much a part of the process. "Breathing is still taught in standard CPR, and it's still encouraged for health care professionals who are trained," he said.
That's not to say mouth-to-mouth won't possibly be eliminated later, as some doctors say it should be. CPR has changed a lot over the years, and health officials are recommending fewer breaths now than before.
Red Cross Health and Safety Special Programs coordinator Kurt Jones said, "Some of the things that we've seen are you're putting too many breaths in and not enough compressions. The average person only breathes about 20 times a minute."
Jones says doctors and other health experts meet regularly to discuss the latest recommendations for CPR. "About once every five years these recommendations get put out and then revamped so people are learning the most current stuff for that time."
For now, the compression-to-breath ratio stands at 30-to-2. Jones said, "It's so much easier to remember what you're doing now because it's the same on adult, infant and child; 30 and two for everything."
Jones recommends people get re-certified every year, because many people can only remember what they were taught for just a few months.
E-mail: pnelson@ksl.com
