CPR Highlights — Lay Rescuer

Lay rescuers will no longer perform checks for signs of circulation and will use a 30:2 compression ventilation ratio for all victims.

Three "stacked shocks" have been replaced with a 1 shock scenario followed immediately by 2 minutes of CPR.

"Effective" chest compressions are essential for providing blood flow during CPR — "The rule is: "push hard and push fast."

CPR—Lay Rescuer

Lone rescuers call for help and retrieve an AED (if available) prior to beginning CPR, then use the AED when appropriate (p. IV-14).

The lay rescuer should open the victim's airway and take 5 - 10 seconds (no more than 10 seconds) to check for normal breathing. If no normal breathing is present, the rescuer gives 2 rescue breaths." (p. IV-21)

After delivering 2 rescue breaths, the lay rescuer should immediately begin cycles of 30 chest compressions to 2 breaths (no longer required to check for signs of circulation or breathing). The lay rescuer should continue compressions and rescue breaths until the AED arrives, the victim begins to move or professional responders take over." Class IIa. (p. IV-25)

Lay rescuers will no longer use a 3 stacked shock scenario when using AEDs. The rescuer should deliver 1 shock followed immediately by 2 minutes of CPR at a rate of 30:2. Class IIa. (p. IV-36)

Increasing the amount of CPR time during rescue is thought to improve outcomes for sudden cardiac arrest victims. With the incorporation of cprMAX technology, LIFEPAK AEDs will include voice prompts that guide the rescuer through these new recommendations with the intent of maximizing the amount of CPR performed during the rescue.

The lay rescuer will use the 30:2 compression-to-ventilation ratio for all victims (p. IV-14).

This is an important change from the previous compression-to-ventilation ratio of 15:2. This new recommendation, like the single shock protocol, is aimed at maximizing the number of compressions given.

Lay rescuers are encouraged to do compression-only CPR if they are unwilling to perform rescue breaths. Class IIa. (p. IV-26)

These recommendations place an increased emphasis on the importance of chest compressions both for lay professionals and health care providers. Rescuers will be taught to push hard (depth of 1.5-2 inches), push fast (100 compressions per minute), allow for complete recoil and minimize interruptions. Class IIa. (p. IV-24)