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Forget checking
for a pulse; start CPR right away instead
By JOHN MUNFORD
jmunford@TheCitizenNews.com
Every second counts when someone is suffering from a heart attack.
That’s why the American Heart Association doesn’t want bystanders
to check for a pulse before giving CPR anymore, said Allen McCullough,
deputy chief of the Fayette County Department of Fire and Emergency Services.
For every minute that passes without the victim receiving CPR, the victim’s
chances of surviving drop 10 percent, McCullough said. Initiating CPR
helps the victim until medical personnel can respond, the chief added.
“Some people are afraid that starting CPR will hurt the victim,”
McCullough said. “But they shouldn’t let that be the issue.”
To the contrary, CPR can’t really hurt someone, and even if someone
is hurt, bystanders who assist are protected by “good Samaritan”
laws, McCullough added.
The AHA wants bystanders to look for normal signs of breathing, coughing
or other movement in response to stimulation instead of looking for a
pulse, McCullough said.
If the victim doesn’t respond, chest compressions should begin immediately,
McCullough said.
Checking for a pulse can sometimes create confusion when a bystander hesitates
to start CPR, possibly asking for second opinions from other bystanders,
McCullough said.
The AHA has also eliminated the requirement for using the Heimlich maneuver
on unconscious choking victims. Standard CPR should be used in those cases
since the chest compressions work to dislodge whatever is blocking the
victim’s airway, McCullough added.
Also, the AHA has eliminated the need for different methods to be used
on victims depending upon the number of persons assisting. Now, all CPR
victims should receive 15 chest compressions for every two rescue breaths.
That’s to help get the blood flowing better to all victims and make
the procedure simpler to learn for bystanders, who could eventually help
save someone’s life, McCullough said.
The change in guidelines also will make teaching CPR easier, reducing
class time from four hours to approximately two hours, the chief added.
The department will provide CPR training to groups when requested, but
they refer individuals wanting to learn CPR to other institutions that
provide such classes.
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