by Justin Brown, FF/EMT-P
10/8/2010

 
Performing mouth-to-mouth during CPR has always been a point of contention for people learning the life-saving skill for as long as I can remember.  Even with a proper barrier mask (which no one actually has with them to use) performing mouth-to-mouth to a stranger is just plain yucky.  Although there has been no recorded case of disease transmission from a victim to a bystander, people still do not like the idea of locking-lips with somone laying on the ground. 
 
Fair enough, but people are dying.  In 2008, the American Heart Assocaition began exploring and supporting a new CPR protocol which removed mouth-to-mouth all together.  They would call it Compression-Only CPR.  Even without formal training in CPR, bystanders can "Push Hard, Push Fast" on the chest of a sudden cardiac arrest victim and make a difference. 

As it turns out, the data actually supports this method over the traditional CPR as well.  More and more studies are coming across the wire saying that minimizing interuptions in chest compressions is improving patient outcome.
 
The absolute key to saving lives is EARLY action though, and unfortunately people are still not helping their fellow man in need.  A new study just released by the Arizona Department of Health Services reviewed survival rates and resuscitation care of 4,415 people who collapsed after cardiac arrest from 2005 to 2009.  Of these patients, 666 received traditional CPR (including mouth-to-mouth) from a bystander; 849 received chest compressions only; and 2,900 got no aid at all.  That means that two out of every three patients are not receiving any care from bystanders at all. 
 
Unfortunately, this means that 92% of victims who suffer sudden cardiac arrest do not make it to the hospital alive.  We need to change this.  When someone is found to be in cardiac arrest, bystanders can push hard, push fast on the chest until help arrives.  You can make a difference.
 
Bystanders are the true life-saving heroes for cardiac arrest victims.  Even all of the "fancy" equipment in the ambulance and the procedures that doctors perform at the hospital can not make a difference if the victim does not receive immediate CPR.  YOU can save someones life by knowing CPR. 
 
In http://www.hollistonfire.com/cprschedule.htmHolliston, it's so easy to do, simply go to  to view the upcoming classes right at the Holliston Fire Department on Central Street.  The course is FREE for town residents, only charge is the cost of a course completion card.  Classes are typically about two hours long and are taught by Holliston EMTs.  Sign up to schedule a private class with friends and family today.  
 
If you would like to take the course somewhere else, we can help you find the location that best fits your needs.  I can be contacted at HFDCPR@gmail.com with any questions or concerns.