Online CPR Certification Blog

According to a Japanese study, there is a higher chance of cardiac arrest survival when a by-stander uses chest compression cardiopulmonary resuscitation. It was also observed by Takuiwami, (MD, PhD, of the Kyoto University Health Service in Kyoto, Japan) and colleagues that there was 40.7% chance of survival of the out-of-hospital patients living independently from external help. This case was only evident when the bystander used chest compression-only CPR technique and a public-access defibrillator. This rate of survival is 7.8% better than the standard CPR which is 32.9%. They continued to encourage this technique as it offers favorable neurological outcomes.

In the year 2010, the common expected CPR practice by the by-standers changed to only include chest compressions even if advised otherwise by the emergency dispatch assistance. This would prevent the by-stander from wasting much time on the difficult rescue breathing and thus concentrate more on chest compressions. But for the professional rescuers, it has been a common procedure to alternate between chest compressions with mouth-to-mouth rescue breathing. The group of researchers also explained that by use of hands-only technique, effective CPR can be achieved immediately a patient suffers cardiac arrest. This can even be improved if an automated external defibrillator is availed.

According to the American Heart Association (AHA), a significant part of the population is facing death caused by cardiac arrest. This is because their families and friends have limited knowledge on how they can help. This research study would help train them on the easy procedure of the hands-only CPR

Statistical data on hands-only CPR in Japan

In the specific record in Japan, a research was done exclusively on patients that suffered cardiac arrest resulting from cardiac origin. Subsequently, CPR and automated external defibrillator shocks procedures were performed on them. 1,376 patients from a total of 547,153 were obtained for a case study that would run for five years. In the data analysis 34% of the by-standards had used the chest compression-only CPR. This percentage can be explained by the high number of individuals (1.6 Million) who get annual training by the Japan Fire Department with the additional support from the emergency dispatch team who offer one on one CPR instructions.

The percentage on those embracing hands-only CPR, increased gradually from a low of 5% in the year 2005 to 44% in 2009.

The researcher in general was unable to determine the reason that might have led to chest compressions-only CPR to be practiced by the by-standers in Japan, regardless of conventional CPR having been used for training at the time. It could not also use the statistical results obtained on the 97% of out-of-hospital heart attack with CPR done by by-standers and didn’t get shocked by public access automated external defibrillators.

Recommendations by the research

It is recommended that for children, the conventional CPR approach should be used because of their cardiac arrest causes are unlikely to be of cardiac origins.

According to the Iwami’s group, they suggest that chest compressions-only should be used as a standard CPR training procedure for medical professionals and other persons including leaders of specific groups of persons.