The New CPR

[Big Daddy D]

http://www.cnn.com/2010/HEALTH/10/18/cp ... tml?hpt=C2" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

However, appears the old CPR is still recommended for near-drownings.

[dcheshier]

Here is a recent post from Boatertalk about this issue: You can read the whole thread here: http://boatertalk.com/forum/BoaterTalk/1052220105/

In light of the recent tragedy on the Gauley, It was suggested that I start a new thread addressing this issue. It's important because, although compressions only CPR is gaining a lot of popularity and is endorsed by the American Heart Association, it is NOT the type of CPR you want to perform on a drowning victim.

Compressions only: Appropriate for sudden cardiac arrest

The AHA has gone to compressions only CPR because they found that in cases of sudden cardiac arrest (heart attack, electrocution, other sudden trauma) where the blood and tissues are still fully oxygenated, the compressions only technique was more successful and had the advantage of simplicity. It is so simple that 911 dispatchers can instruct people over the phone to do it. Additionally, people who are squeamish about giving breaths will still do compressions only, so folks are more likely to perform it (sad, but true). Additionally, the vast majority of these events occur in civilized surroundings where EMS and advanced life support are only minutes away. The goal is to simply maintain the person in an efficient manner for those few minutes and compressions only CPR does that better that traditional CPR. Unfortunately, if EMS is not close by, CPR is unlikely to be able to save a person who has had a heart attack because it does not address the root cause of the problem. In these scenarios, CPR has a dismal record, regardless of which kind is used.

Traditional (breaths and compressions) CPR: Appropriate for drowning, choking or suffocation

Traditional CPR is recommended for drowning, choking or suffocation victims and children. In any case where the heart has stopped due to hypoxia (oxygen deprivation), compressions only CPR WILL NOT WORK. It will only circulate de-oxygenated blood through the persons system. However, giving a combination of breaths and compressions re-introduces oxygen and circulates it, not just maintaining the person but reversing the cause of their condition. CPR in this scenario can literally snatch a person back from the jaws of death. It doesn't just maintain them it revives them.

Please, everyone out there, even if you never take a river rescue class or a wilderness first aid class, go take a Red Cross CPR class. It's about 4 hours, and the skills you will learn there are probably the most likely to actually save someone on the river. Yes, I would like all boaters to take river rescue and wilderness first aid, but first and foremost, learn how to do traditional CPR. It sure beats sitting on the river bank staring at the blue lips of your buddy and wishing you had.

[Roger]

What Diane said. Get training and keep current.

[Chester]

I just completed the American Heart Asso. HeartSaver First Aid course last month. In short, all this new guideline talk for compressions only, is for the untrained bystander. Going through their course you become a trained "Healthcare Provider", and you will still do the compressions at the proper depth depending on the victim's age, and the breathing at the suggested rate depending on the same. So if untrained, at least do the compressions and get help coming asap. :)