A new method of two-resuscitator CPR

Standard two-resuscitator cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) (one resuscitator providing Bag Valve Mask (BVM) ventilation and one chest compressions) was compared with a modified method where one resuscitator held the mask while the second provided ventilation and compressions. Twenty-two subjects used both methods in random order on a recording manikin equipped to measure minute volume (Vm), tidal volume (Vt), respiratory rate (RR), compression rate (CR) and depth. Vm and Vt were greater with modified CPR, but the CR was slower. Percent of compressions < 38 mm, 38-51 mm or > 51 mm did not differ between techniques ((Modified--VM, 12.6 1 (S.D. 2.5); Vt, 1110 ml (S.D. 116); CR, 57 (S.D. 11), < 38 mm 6% (S.D. 14), 38-51 mm 36% (S.D. 33), > 51 mm 58% (S.D. 41); Standard--Vm, 9.7 1 (S.D. 3.8); Vt, 640 ml (S.D. 230); CR, 75 (10), < 38 mm 9% (S.D. 22), 38-51 mm 52% (S.D. 37), > 51 mm 38% (S.D. 38)). Modified CPR greatly improves ventilation but reduces CR.