Fire - Ask a Firefighter Columns

Glendale Republic
02-07-09

Continuous Chest Compressions

With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, many people are wondering what to get their loved ones. Though I will not offer my opinion on flowers versus jewelry, both are good, the Glendale Fire Department would like to offer tips to learn how to save a heart this Valentine’s Season, literally. Glendale Fire continues its efforts of sharing a new method of CPR called CCC (continuous chest compressions). CCC is safe, easy to remember and it’s legal. CCC has a documented increased survival rate over traditional CPR for adults who suffer from a cardiac arrest incident.

Unlike traditional CPR, mouth to mouth resuscitation is not required for CCC. To perform CCC, you simply have to follow three steps:

• Direct someone to call 911 or make the call yourself.
• Deliver Chest Compressions: Position the patient on the floor. Place the heel of one hand on the center of the chest with the other hand on top of the first. Lock your elbows and perform forceful chest compressions at a rate of 100 per minute.
• If an automated external defibrillator (AED) is available, attach it to the patient and follow the machine’s voice instructions. Otherwise, keep pumping until firefighters arrive.

For cases of suspected drowning, drug overdose or collapse in children, follow standard CPR (2 mouth-to-mouth breaths for every 30 chest compressions).