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	STANDARD CPR FOR ADULTS - CPR in three simple steps HANDS-ONLY CPR FOR ADULTS - CPR in two simple steps CPR FOR CHILDREN - CPR in three steps for small children CPR FOR INFANTS - CPR for infants in five simple steps STANDARD CPR POCKET GUIDE - Printable CPR instructions HANDS-ONLY CPR POCKET GUIDE - Printable CPR instructions CPR FOR CATS & DOGS - CPR instructions for your family pet
	STANDARD CPR FOR ADULTS VIDEO - Standard CPR techniques for adults HANDS-ONLY CPR FOR ADULTS VIDEO - Hands-only CPR techniques for adults CPR FOR CHILDREN VIDEO - CPR techniques for children CPR FOR INFANTS VIDEO - CPR techniques for infants CHOKING ADULT VIDEO - First aid for a choking conscious adult CHOKING CHILD VIDEO - First aid for a choking conscious child CHOKING INFANT VIDEO - First aid for a choking conscious infant
	CONSCIOUS ADULTS - First aid for a conscious adult CONSCIOUS CHILD - First aid for a choking child CONSCIOUS INFANTS - First aid for a choking infant
	CPR FAQ - Have a question about CPR? Check here first CPR FACTS - Facts and general information about CPR CPR LINKS - Links to other great CPR resources CPR QUIZ - Think you're an expert? Take our quiz and test yourself CPR HISTORY - Interested in learning about the history of CPR? SELF CPR? - Click here to view information about this phenomenon.
This web site is to be used as a free guide and an informational resource, but it cannot replace real CPR or first aid training. Please try to attend a CPR training course in your community and help save a life. CPR training courses are offered by the American Heart Association (for training courses near you call 1-800-AHAUSA1), the American Red Cross and by many local fire departments.

Compression only (cardiocerebral) resuscitation

The traditional International Liaison Committee on Resuscitation approach described above has been challenged in recent years by advocates for compression-only CPR, also known as cardiocerebral resuscitation (CCR). This technique is simply chest compressions without artificial respiration. The respiration component of CPR has been a topic of major controversy over the past decade. The CCR method has been championed by the University of Arizona's Sarver Heart Center, and a study by the university, claimed a 300% greater success rate over standard CPR. The exceptions were in the case of drowning or drug overdose.

In March 2007, a Japanese study in the medical journal The Lancet presented strong evidence that compressing the chest, not mouth-to-mouth (MTM) ventilation, is the key to helping someone recover from cardiac arrest. An editorial by Gordon Ewy MD (a proponent of CCR) in the same issue of The Lancet called for an interim revision of the ILCOR Guidelines based on the results of the Japanese study, but the next scheduled revision of the Guidelines was not until 2010. However, on March 30, 2008, the American Heart Association broke away from the ILCOR position and stated that compression-only CPR works as well as, and sometimes better than, traditional CPR.

The method of delivering chest compressions remains the same, as does the rate (100 per minute), but the rescuer delivers only the compression element which, the University of Arizona claims, keeps the bloodflow moving without the interruption caused by MTM respiration. It has been claimed that the use of compression only delivery increases the chances of lay person delivering CPR.

Rhythmic abdominal compressions

Rhythmic abdominal compression-CPR works by forcing blood from the blood vessels around the abdominal organs, an area known to contain about 25 percent of the body's total blood volume. This blood is then redirected to other sites, including the circulation around the heart. Findings published in the September 2007 issue of the American Journal of Emergency Medicine using pigs found that 60 percent more blood was pumped to the heart using rhythmic abdominal compression-CPR than with standard chest compression-CPR, using the same amount of effort. There was no evidence that rhythmic abdominal compressions damaged the abdominal organs and the risk of rib fracture was avoided. Avoiding mouth-to-mouth breathing and chest compressions eliminates the risk of rib fractures and transfer of infection.

Self-CPR

A form of "self-CPR" termed "Cough CPR" was the subject of a hoax chain email entitled "How to Survive a Heart Attack When Alone" which wrongly cited "ViaHealth Rochester General Hospital" as the source of the technique. Rochester General Hospital has denied any connection with the technique.

Rapid coughing has been used in hospitals for brief periods of cardiac arrhythmia on monitored patients. One researcher has recommended that it be taught broadly to the public.

However, “cough CPR” cannot be used outside the hospital because the first symptom of cardiac arrest is unconsciousness in which case coughing is impossible. Further, the vast majority of people suffering chest pain from a heart attack will not be in cardiac arrest and CPR is not needed. In these cases attempting “cough CPR” will increase the workload on the heart and may be harmful. When coughing is used on trained and monitored patients in hospitals, it has only been shown to be effective for 90 seconds.

The American Heart Association (AHA) and other resuscitation bodies do not endorse "Cough CPR", which it terms a misnomer as it is not a form of resuscitation. The AHA does recognize a limited legitimate use of the coughing technique:

"This coughing technique to maintain blood flow during brief arrhythmias has been useful in the hospital, particularly during cardiac catheterization. In such cases the patients ECG is monitored continuously, and a physician is present."