There are new guidelines in place to help people untrained in first aid provide CPR in life-threatening situations.

The guidelines recommend that bystanders, untrained in first aid, use hands-only CPR and continuous chest compressions as opposed to the standard mouth-to-mouth rescue breathing method.

According to the American Heart Association (AHA), hands-only CPR allows chest compressions to begin sooner and works just as well as the standard method. Hands-only CPR is also easier for untrained bystanders to administer, encouraging more people to provide help and increasing the chances of survival.

To help educate the public on the new guidelines, Health Science North recently held a CPR Challenge with local dignitaries, including Greater Sudbury Mayor Marianne Matichuk.

“The other way of doing CPR can be very intimidating,” Matichuk said. “I think it's really good for our community that people are getting this demonstration so they can participate if there's an unfortunate incident and try to save a life.”

What do you do if you encounter someone who is unconscious and can't locate a pulse?

Remember the word HEART:

Help – emergency assistance (dial 911)
Ensure compressions in middle of chest
At least 100 compressions per minute, two inches deep
Respond with AED if available (portable defibrillator)
Take your turn pushing every two minutes

Posted by Arron Pickard