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Kiss of life: a waste of time?

By Alix Miller
November 18, 2009 at 4:29 pm

Woman giving rescue breathes

Having recently completed a one-day British Red Cross first aid course, I was fascinated to read about the controversy surrounding the kiss of life in The Daily Mail, Mirror and Metro.

Apparently, an Arizona university study has called into question whether the kiss of life, used in cardio-pulmonary resuscitation (CPR) , is necessary when treating a cardiac arrest.

Currently, the CPR we teach involves giving 30 quick chest compressions followed by two rescue breaths. However, according to the study, the breaths interrupt crucial time spent doing the chest compressions.

Naturally, being one of the world’s largest first aid training providers, we have our finger on the pulse of the latest scientific research and welcome anything that improves the effectiveness of first aid.

As I learnt recently during my training, rescue breaths can be very effective in some circumstances (such as after choking or drowning incidents). However, chest compressions are the more important component generally - that’s why UK  guidelines make provision for people just doing compressions. This is a good thing, as we know that CPR is the procedure the public is most concerned about carrying out.

Image © Jonathan Banks

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This entry was posted on Wednesday, November 18th, 2009 at 4:29 pm and is filed under First aid. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

  • http://twitter.com/knittingnelly Jo

    I also heard today there’s a rumour it’s being proposed that in some circumstances 400 compressions will be needed before any rescue breath.

    Am now wondering how many Nelly the Elephant’s that is!

  • http://twitter.com/knittingnelly Jo

    I also heard today there’s a rumour it’s being proposed that in some circumstances 400 compressions will be needed before any rescue breath.

    Am now wondering how many Nelly the Elephant’s that is!

  • http://www.firstresponsetraining.com/ Chris

    I know from my SCUBA diving training just how critical the mixture of gases in the lungs can get when you stop breathing. It makes sense that any first aid training would include CPR with these valuable rescue breaths, I can’t believe that leaving them out makes any sense!

  • http://www.firstresponsetraining.com Chris

    I know from my SCUBA diving training just how critical the mixture of gases in the lungs can get when you stop breathing. It makes sense that any first aid training would include CPR with these valuable rescue breaths, I can’t believe that leaving them out makes any sense!

  • http://www.redcross.org.uk/ Brad Smith

    Jo – I’m sure it’s quite a few verses. I’ve heard many people prefer to use the Bee Gees’ Staying Alive (though strictly speaking it’s two beats per minute too slow, so you’ll have to hum it faster!)

    Practice makes perfect. Our centre organiser has a metronome we can use to practice it to precision!

  • http://www.redcross.org.uk Brad Smith

    Jo – I’m sure it’s quite a few verses. I’ve heard many people prefer to use the Bee Gees’ Staying Alive (though strictly speaking it’s two beats per minute too slow, so you’ll have to hum it faster!)

    Practice makes perfect. Our centre organiser has a metronome we can use to practice it to precision!

  • Karl

    Part of the rationale is the act of CPR also moves the lungs, getting some fresh air in there. Also moving the hands increases the chance of your hands/fingers get in the wrong place and resulting in ineffective reps

  • Karl

    Part of the rationale is the act of CPR also moves the lungs, getting some fresh air in there. Also moving the hands increases the chance of your hands/fingers get in the wrong place and resulting in ineffective reps

  • Robbie – First Aid Cadet

    Hey there. I am Robbie, I am a first aid cadet with St andrews Ambulance Assosiation Scotland, I have just recently been trained in CPR at cadets for the regime. It is not a waste of time doing Rescus Breaths, It de-creases the risk of Hypoxia (low brain oxygen.

    Thankyou

    Robbie
    Age 11
    First Aid Cadet

  • Robbie – First Aid Cadet

    Hey there. I am Robbie, I am a first aid cadet with St andrews Ambulance Assosiation Scotland, I have just recently been trained in CPR at cadets for the regime. It is not a waste of time doing Rescus Breaths, It de-creases the risk of Hypoxia (low brain oxygen.

    Thankyou

    Robbie
    Age 11
    First Aid Cadet

  • http://www.appguide.de Best App

    Never a waste of time!

Author

Alix Miller

Alix Miller

Alix is senior writer, based in London. She writes and edits across print and online media

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