Learning CPR could be more important than ever. A new study shows having multiple people helping could increase someone's chances of survival.
“It's as simple as finding the middle of the sternum, put one hand over top of the other, 2 inches in depth, and 100 times a minute,” said Mitch Bycura, chief deputy of Medical Services at the Tempe Fire Department.
Bycura is teaching us how to do continuous chest compressions, a hands-only CPR method.
“Studies that originated down in Tucson showed that continuous compressions was the key to perfusing tissue and keeping tissue viable particularly cerebral and heart tissue,” Bycura said.
While CPR can be a lifesaver, so can the number of people helping. According to a new Japanese study, the more bystanders coming to the rescue of a person suffering a cardiac arrest in a public place, the greater the survival rate.
Researchers found that 6 percent of victims were alive one year later when three or more rescuers helped compared to 3 percent when only one person came to their aid.
What could some of those reasons be?
“The average person can only keep the rate and quality and depth of a compression for about 90 seconds and by having multiple resources to be able to switch off is a benefit,” Bycura said. “Secondly, whether or not compressions are actually initiated, the likelihood goes up when there is more people that witness the event.”
While the study showed no survival advantage to having several rescuers for cardiac arrests at home, Bycura said knowing how to do CPR is still a life-changer.
“You can get certified for certain jobs that you need it, but don't let that prevent you from having a life skill of knowing how to do compressions at 100 times a minute, 2 inches of depth on an adult,” Bycura said.
The study looked at more than 5,000 adults who were not in a hospital setting when they suffered a cardiac arrest. It was published in Resuscitation Journal.
If you’re interested in learning CPR, visit www.tempe.gov/fire.
