Use of supplemental oxygen during bystander-initiated CPR.

Abstract

To evaluate the efficacy of three methods by which rescuers can breathe supplemental oxygen to increase their delivered oxygen concentration (FDO2) during single-rescuer, bystander-initiated CPR. Controlled, randomized, crossover study. Simulation in laboratory setting using a CPR manikin. Thirteen-volunteer convenience sample group. Volunteers trained only in basic life support performed ventilation only and full CPR on a CPR manikin using room air and each of three supplemental oxygen delivery methods: nasal cannula, oxygen supply tube, and demand valve. The volunteers received minimal instruction on how to use the supplemental oxygen delivery methods. Peak FDO2 and peak carbon dioxide concentration; American Heart Association-defined ventilation and CPR compression performance indices. The data were analyzed using Duncan's method of analysis of variance. The mean peak FDO2 during ventilation-only/full CPR for the baseline (room air ventilation) and each supplemental oxygen delivery method (at specified flow rate) was: baseline (room air), -17.96% +/- 0.56%/16.77% +/- 0.56%; nasal cannula (at 10 L/min), -31.77% +/- 3.06%/27.01% +/- 3.68%; oxygen supply tubing (at 15 L/min), -36.82% +/- 9.93%/30.41% +/- 4.88%; and demand valve, -78.17% +/- 9.10%/68.22% +/- 7.10%. CPR performance was not hampered by the use of the supplemental oxygen methods. The use of supplemental oxygen increases the rescuer's FDO2 during ventilation-only and full CPR without interfering with CPR performance.