MOUTH TO MOUTH, WOULD YOU DO IT

Abstract

CPR training guidelines have evolved since 1970's. Changes were made to make CPR easier for the use of layman and to maximize the possibility of early resuscitation. The new CPR guideline for layperson (if not confident) includes chest only compressions without rescue breaths until help arrives. Studies have identified unwillingness to perform mouth to mouth ventilation performance of bystander CPR due to a significant psychological barrier.

This is a Phase One study aimed to determine first aid providers' opinion whether layman are willing to provide mouth to mouth ventilations in bystander CPR. Later, Phase Two study will be carried out via questionnaire directed at layperson, to compare with the outcome of Phase One study.

A cross sectional study was done, using questions based on the opinions of the participants regarding possible attitudes of layman in certain scenarios. The sample size consisting of 810 individuals ( all CPR trained) were First Aid Providers: members of the St. John's Ambulance Services and the Red Cross Society. The ages of the participants ranged between 10 to 54 years, of which 54.8% are females and 45.2% are males.

Our study indicated that participants with background knowledge of first aid have different outlook as compared to laypersons, regarding mouth to mouth ventilations. In bystander CPR, hesitation about mouth to mouth ventilations is not a problem among first aid providers. The survey revealed that 42.2% of the laymen were ready to provide mouth to mouth ventilation to strangers compared to 25.9% who wouldn't. Moreover the person who were not confident about mouth to mouth ventilation could provide chest only compressions if in doubt. 42.2% of them agreed as compared to 29.1 % who disagreed on this method. As suggested by AHA, a bystander who is trained and confident in CPR could use conventionally recommended CPR of 30: 2 compressions to ventilations ratio. Otherwise compression only CPR is recommended if a person is not trained or unwilling to give ventilations. Therefore our assessment suggested that execution of first aid and CPR programs amongst public community may generate positive attitude and confidence towards first aid intervention.