USE OF SUPPLEMENTAL OXYGEN DURING BYSTANDER-INITIATED CPR

Study objective: To evaluate the efficacy of three methods by which re scuers can breathe supplemental oxygen to increase their delivered oxy gen concentration (FDO2) during single-rescuer, bystander-initiated CP R. Design: Controlled, randomized, crossover study. Setting: Simulatio n in laboratory setting using a CPR manikin. Subjects: Thirteen-volunt eer convenience sample group. interventions: Volunteers trained only i n 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 volu nteers received minimal instruction on how to use the supplemental oxy gen delivery methods. Main outcome measures: 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. Results: The mean peak FDO2 during ventilation-only/full CPR for the baseline (room air ventilatio n) and each supplemental oxygen delivery method (at specified flow rat e) 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 sup ply tubing (at 15 L/min), -36.82% +/- 9.93%/30.41% +/- 4.88%; and dema nd valve, -78.17% +/- 9.10%/68.22% +/- 7.10%. CPR performance was not hampered by the use of the supplemental oxygen methods. Conclusion: Th e use of supplemental oxygen increases the rescuer's FDO2 during venti lation-only and full CPR without interfering with CPR performance.