Does Compression-Only CPR Work Better To Retain Brain Functionality?

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Chest Compression CPR
Chest Compression CPR

There are two distinct ways in which CPR may be carried out: these include hands-only CPR as well as the traditional way of giving CPR where compressions are accompanied by rescue breaths. It has been shown that there is a possibility compression-only CPR has a higher success rate when it comes to the management and preservation of the brain’s function. What this means is that individuals who get hands-only CPR are far more likely to make a recovery than those who get traditional CPR done on them.

It is interesting to note that the origins of compression-only CPR were not the fact that it offers better recovery rates; far from it. This form of CPR which is also referred to as hands-only CPR started out as a way of making it easier for victims of cardiac arrest to get help from strangers who were equipped with the skills. This form of CPR was put in place to see whether it would be possible to improve the survival rates of cardiac arrest cases by enabling bystanders to swing into action when such a situation arises. The ease of this form of CPR gives it an edge over the traditional approach, but recent studies show that this may not be the only advantage of the now-popular CPR method.

Just as the name suggests, compression-only CPR does not require the provision of rescue breaths, and therefore the first aider focuses their energy on the provision of chest compressions. Studies carried out in the past indicate that victims who get hand-only CPR have a higher chance of survival than those who get traditional CPR done. Why is this? Experts admit this to the fact that the faster the chest compressions, the greater the chances for survival, and the higher the probability that brain function will be preserved. When CPR is administered without the rescue breaths, it means that more compressions are offered each minute. Consequently, more blood is pumped to the vital organs within the body and this helps reduce the damage to such organs and especially the brain.

What’s more researchers have found that compression-only CPR have improved the chances of survival of many patients. Since most victims do not get any form of CPR, it is a high time individuals were sensitized on the need to learn hands-only CPR. In line with this, offering public access defibrillation programs will also go a long way in promoting this form of CPR. AEDs are small portable gadgets that can be used to regain heart rhythm by sending electric shock waves to the heart.

Conclusion

To make the provision of hands-only CPR easier, researchers have recommended that compression-only CPR be administered to the tune of ‘Staying Alive’. Granted, it may not be easy to remember the number of compressions to give in a minute, and it may not even be practical to count them, but the Staying Alive is definitely easy to remember.

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