New CPR Rules: Press The Chest but No Kissing

Most of us adults grew up learning how to perform CPR, or cardiopulmonary resuscitation. We were taught by books, teachers, or even special visitors who came into our classrooms carting life size dummies to practice on. Now, for the first time since CPR was introduced in 1960, the American Heart Association is changing the rules.

The way we learned was to tilt the jaw back, feel around inside the mouth to clear any obstructions, place your mouth over the victims, exhale two short breaths into the victim, then commence pressing down on the victim's chest 30 times. The problem was people were too uncomfortable or too unsure that they would do it right, so more often than not nobody did anything. Furthermore, in recent years, multiple studies showed time and time again that victims receiving chest compressions alone survived just as often as those getting the full, lip-lock, traditional CPR.

By eliminating the “kissing factor,” you remove the social barrier, and by making CPR simpler, people feel more confident about knowing what to do. But there's a medical reason as well: Getting the heart pumping faster gets oxygen to the heart and brain faster, which is critical, so more people survive. Usually the victim has air in their lungs from their last breath anyway, so you're only delaying air by about 20 seconds.

They've produced an hilarious public service announcement in the U.K showing how to perform CPR to the BeeGee's tune, “Stayin Alive.” (below). There's also a website where you can practice on your choice of hot bodies (3 men and 3 women) at Hands Only CPR.

It should be noted with drowning victims however, you need to get air into them first. That being said, it's recommended that if nothing else, stick with the chest compressions. Press the chest. And remember. No kissing.