[Rescue breathing is still a part of basic life support]

Abstract

Bystander cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) consisting of mouth-to-mouth ventilation and chest compressions improves survival from cardiac arrest. Bystanders perform CPR only in a minority of cardiac arrests. To improve the number of bystanders initiating CPR, the American Heart Association recommends that laypersons omit rescue breathing and perform Hands-only CPR. In this paper studies on Hands-only CPR are reviewed. Currently, the evidence is insufficient to herald immediate changes to CPR guidelines and further research is warranted.