Knowing CPR can save the life of someone you know and love. But not knowing exactly what to do can hinder the healing process, or worse—jeopardize their life. Most of this danger stems from an incorrect knowledge of the CPR compressions to breaths ratio. Do people still practice breaths? What is the correct number of compressions?
Getting CPR recertification as needed ensures your knowledge stays up to date, but keeping on top of things can make a big difference—especially when lives are on the line.
We here at SimpleCPR would like to share with you some basic knowledge about the CPR compressions to breaths ratio.
How to Safely (and Correctly) Provide CPR
If you’ve seen CPR used in the movies or on television, you likely haven’t put much thought into the actor or actress’s technique. But distributing the right amount of CPR breaths and compressions can make all the difference in saving someone’s life.
Real life isn’t like the movies—you’ve taken CPR classes online to know that there’s a specific science to the amount of CPR breaths and compressions. However, this ratio changes or reevaluates according to current research findings somewhat regularly.
The current ratio of CPR breaths to compressions is 30 compressions for every 2 CPR breaths. This is the recommended number for people with CPR training who feel confident in their ability and know exactly how to place their hands.
What if I Don’t Have Training?
Even if you’ve never had CPR and first aid training, you can still make a difference. Instead of worrying about the CPR compressions to breaths ratio, health professionals at the American Heart Association advise that you can concentrate on providing compressions.
First call emergency medical professionals before performing CPR. Then perform a rate of 100 chest compressions per minute. You can forgo attempting CPR breaths in favor of the more effective compressions.
Are CPR Breaths Really Necessary?
Recently, a shift has occurred which states the vastly more important compressions to CPR rescue breaths. While still important, CPR breaths aren’t as effective for the average person without CPR certification to perform as simply chest compressions.
So if you are trained, CPR rescue breaths can be a big help when resuscitating a patient.
The bottom line: Don’t get caught unprepared. Step up and make a difference by getting the necessary CPR and first aid training you need to know how to properly assess a situation and handle it. Rather than risk the life of a loved one in need, why not get the answers you need? Take a CPR training course and get the confidence you need to be a hero.
