Learning & Development

FAQ on Hands-Only CPR

For more information, go to www.handsonlycpr.org.
Q: What is Hands-Only CPR?
A: “Hands-Only CPR” is cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) without mouth-to-mouth breaths. It is recommended for use by people who see an adult suddenly collapse in the “out-of-hospital” setting. It consists of two steps:

  1. Call 911 (or send someone to do that).
  2. Begin providing high-quality chest compressions by pushing hard and fast in the center of the chest with minimal interruptions.

 
Q: Who should receive Hands-Only CPR?
A: Hands-Only CPR is recommended for use on adults who suddenly collapse.
The AHA recommends conventional CPR (that is, CPR with a combination of breaths and compressions) for adult victims who are found already unconscious and not breathing normally, and for any victims of drowning or collapse due to breathing problems.


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Q: Do responders need to take a training course to learn how to do Hands-Only CPR?
A: CPR is a psychomotor skill. The AHA continues to recommend that you take a CPR course to learn and practice the skills of CPR, including how to give high-quality chest compressions.
People who have had CPR training are more confident about their skills than those who have not been trained (or have not been trained in the last 5 years).
Even a very short CPR training program done at home, like the AHA’s 22-minute CPR Anytime program, is helpful.
Q: Do responders still need to learn “conventional” CPR with mouth-to-mouth breathing?
A: The AHA still recommends that people learn conventional CPR. There are many medical emergencies that cause a person to be unresponsive and to stop breathing normally, including adult victims who are found already unconscious and victims of drowning or collapse due to breathing problems. In those emergencies, CPR that includes mouth-to-mouth breathing may provide more benefit than Hands-Only CPR.
Q: Is Hands-Only CPR as effective as conventional CPR?
A: Hands-Only CPR performed by a bystander has been shown to be as effective as conventional CPR in the first few minutes of an out-of-hospital sudden cardiac arrest.
Conventional CPR may be better than Hands-Only CPR for certain victims, but any attempt at CPR is better than no attempt.


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Q: Will Hands-Only CPR increase the chance of someone taking action in a cardiac emergency?
A: Yes. In a national survey, Americans who have not been trained in CPR within the last 5 years stated that they would be more likely to perform Hands-Only CPR than conventional CPR.
In addition, Hands-Only CPR offers an easy-to-remember and effective option to those bystanders who have been previously trained in CPR but are afraid to help because they are not confident that they can remember and perform the steps of conventional CPR.
Q: What is someone trained in conventional CPR that includes breathing (30 compressions to 2 breaths, or 30:2 CPR) who sees an adult suddenly collapse to do?
A: Call 911 and start CPR. If the person is confident in the ability to provide conventional CPR, provide either the conventional CPR or Hands-Only CPR.
Continue CPR until an automated external defibrillator (AED) arrives and is ready for use or EMS providers take over care of the victim.
If the responder is not confident in the ability to provide conventional CPR, then provide Hands-Only CPR and continue until an AED arrives and is ready for use or EMS providers take over care of the victim.
Q: How long should someone trained in conventional CPR that includes breathing do Hands-Only CPR before switching to conventional CPR?
A: At this point, there is not sufficient data to provide a specific recommendation. Trained rescuers will take over when they arrive at the victim’s side.
Q: For lay rescuers who have a duty to respond to emergencies as part of their job and who have received training in Heartsaver CPR, AED, and/or first aid, what kind of CPR should they perform?
A: These responders may use Hands-Only CPR or conventional CPR if they witness an adult suddenly collapse.
AHA recommends that these responders call 911, continue CPR until an AED arrives and is ready for use, or EMS providers take over care of the victim.
Q: Should a responder using an AED that prompts CPR with breathing just give chest compressions?
A: Follow the directions provided by the AED and minimize any interruptions to chest compressions.
Remember, all victims of cardiac arrest should receive high-quality chest compressions. You should push hard and fast in the center of the chest with minimal interruption.
Q: Not all people who suddenly collapse are in cardiac arrest. Will CPR seriously hurt them?
A: Adults who collapse and are not responsive are likely to have sudden cardiac arrest, and their chance of survival is nearly zero unless someone takes action immediately if sudden cardiac arrest is the cause of the collapse.
If an adult has collapsed for reasons other than sudden cardiac arrest, Hands-Only CPR could still help by causing the person to respond (begin to move, breathe normally, or speak).
If that occurs, Hands-Only CPR can be stopped. Otherwise, chest compressions should continue until EMS providers arrive.
 

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