Del. Nadkarni said research shows that at least 35 percent of lay rescuers are wrong about whether a victim has a pulse. Therefore, the new guidelines recommend that people not trained in CPR look for normal breathing, movement, response to stimulation and other signs of circulation when deciding whether to begin chest compressions. Other aspects of CPR training, such as techniques to clear airway obstructions in unconscious choking victims, also are being simplified. Cindy Amore, emergency medical services coordinator and coordinator of the Centegra Community Training Center of the American Heart Association in McHenry, stresses that the preferred CPR method for professionals is still to do chest compressions and ventilations. If you're standing in line at Jewel and the lady in front of you goes down, initiating chest compressions alone may be acceptable.
Compressions are better than doing nothing.
The American Heart Association has designated this weekend as National CPR Weekend, with training occurring nationwide. But for the short course, here is how CPR instructors teach rescuers to administer chest compressions. Place the heel of one hand between the nipples in the center of the chest. Place the other hand atop the first hand. Press down about 2 inches, then let up.