CPR Fear | Medical Watch | WGNTV.com | WGN TV

CPR Fear

Wednesday, June 11

If someone passed out in front of you, would you know what to do? In tonight's Medical Watch, we learn about an easier, less scary way to save lives. Experts hope it will help you help someone else.

The desire is there, but is the know-how?

Dina Bair: "When you say you know CPR what would be the first thing that you would do? If there was a person lying on the ground what would you do? You know what it's been awhile."

"I would probably call for help. I don't really know what to do in a situation like that."

CPR or cardio pulmonary resuscitation has been taught for decades but the guidelines have changed dozens of times ... confusing many people. Now it's simple. Push.

Karen Schneider, Rush CPR Trainer, American Heart Association: "The heel of your hand goes on the center of their chest. Between the nipples. The other hand on top. And I'm gonna push down about 1 and a half to 2 inches about 30 times."

For babies use two fingers instead but follow the most important message: quick action.

Karen Schneider: "If they do nothing there's no opportunity for survival. They do something it's better than nothing."

And it's better to think of the goal when you put your heart into bringing someone else back.

Karen Schneider: "When you are compressing as you push down on the chest you're releasing blood out of the heart when you allow the chest to come back to normal position you allow that heart to refill."

Think of the chest. Do compressions only and don't worry if the idea of giving mouth to mouth is a turnoff.

"With the world today you just don't know what's going on ... yes, I would be hesitant about it."

Call out for someone to call 9-1-1... and ask if anyone knows CPR better. On this day in the park we ran into a flight attendant who demonstrated her skills.

"I would check for pulse and if they were breathing ... and if they weren't doing either one of those I would start compressions."

The American Heart Association says these guidelines are necessary since currently nearly 90% of people know how to do CPR but only about 20% say they would. Compressions only could close the gap.

More Information on CPR:

American Heart Association: Information on heart-related health and CPR.
Hands-Only CPR: Learn more about Hands-Only CPR from the American Heart Association.
Learn CPR: Helpful information and videos on correct CPR procedures from the University of Washington School of Medicine.