The new “hands-only” CPR method is as effective – and easier to administer – than the traditional method that features Rescue Breathing.

This past week the American Heart Association (AHA) announced a change to the rules of engagement with regard to how to administer CPR to adults who unexpectedly collapse, stop breathing and are unresponsive, doing away Rescue Breathing – aka “mouth-to mouth resuscitation.  Research into the use of CPR in these cases indicated that there is no reason to give early rescue breaths and that chest compressions delivered at a 100 per minute pace is all a victim needs until help arrives.

According to Dr. Michael Sayre, an emergency medicine professor at Ohio State who headed up the committee that recommended this change, all people have to do is “call 911 and push hard and fast on the middle of the person’s chest.”  That’s a heck of a lot easier that the old technique that featured a combination of rescue breaths and chest compressions, a formula that had changed several times over the past few years.

The reason the hands-only method is just as effective in the case of a sudden collapse by an adult is that there is sufficient oxygen in the blood and lungs of the victim, and the compressions keep the blood flowing so that this oxygenated blood can reach the vital organs.

The AMA committee also recognized that there was definitely a “yuck factor” associated with the mouth-to-mouth breathing which prevented a lot of people from administering this potentially life-saving CPR technique.  Personally, aside from medical and emergency professionals that I know, the CPR-certified non-pros that I’ve known have never thrilled about the prospects of mouth-to-mouth with a stranger. It’s just human nature, especially in this era where everyone is so germ/disease over-sensitive.

It’s important to note that this change in technique doesn’t apply to victims of near drowning, drug overdoses, carbon monoxide poisoning and other situations where oxygen is scarce.  In these cases, for the obvious reason, rescue breathing should be administered.  Also, children who fall victim to a sudden collapse are more likely to have a breathing issue, and therefore mouth-to-mouth should be used.

As on of the emergency medicine/CPR experts said in response to this change in technique, “Something is better than nothing.” 

And really, there’s nothing complicated about administering chest compressions.  Here are a couple of simple guidelines to keep in mind that will make your hands-only CPR technique effective.  If you are alone call 911 before you start administering hands-only CPR.

Find the Xiphoid Process, which is at the bottom of the sternum and move two-finger widths up towards the head.

Once this spot is marked place the heel of one hand directly on this spot above the xiphoid and place the palm of the other hand on top of base hand, interlock fingers and lock out the arms.

Make sure that the locked arms are in a straight line directly over the victim – 90 degrees to the floor - so the line of the compression is straight through the torso. This will make sure the force of the compression is sufficient to “pump” the heart and move blood through the system.

It’s better to be a little higher on the sternum than lower, as the xiphoid can damage the diaphragm.

Start the fast compressions at a clip of almost 2 per second.

Having a cell phone – especially if you are alone in this rescue attempt – will help you in your efforts, as trained emergency medical personnel can assist you until help arrives.  So if you find yourself in a situation where you need to act, knowing this new hands-only CPR technique can help you to save a life.