To put it simply, Hands Only CPR is resuscitation without any rescue breaths. There is no mouth to mouth involvement.
Hands only CPR is proven to be just as effective as traditional CPR in out of hospital cardiac arrest. Although there are some scenarios where rescue breaths may be more beneficial, such as working on drowning victims, those suffering carbon monoxide poisoning, infants and children.
Except for giving mouth to mouth, CPR remains the same.
Should I Do Mouth to Mouth Resuscitation?
The 2010 guidelines set out by the American Heart Association (AHA) recommend good, constant compressions without mouth to mouth as a viable alternative to traditional resuscitation, and ILCOR (International Liaison Committee on Resuscitation); found that mouth to mouth just wasn’t necessary for most people when doing CPR.
Compressions Are the Answer
The purpose of doing CPR is to build up perfusion pressure, providing a constant blood supply to the brain. As soon as we stop compressions to give mouth to mouth the perfusion pressure drops and the brain is without an adequate blood supply. Studies have shown Maintaining this blood supply is crucial to a good outcome.
The AHA now recommends: If you see an adult suddenly collapse call for medical assistance and press hard and fast on the chest. (Hands only CPR)
In Queensland Australia, the Ambulance Service is actively teaching the public hands- only CPR