Abstract

BACKGROUND: The ability to perform high-quality cardiopulmonary resuscitation is one of the basic
skills for lifeguards. The aim of the study was to assess the influence of chest compression frequency on
the quality of the parameters of chest compressions performed by lifeguards.
METHODS: This prospective observational, randomized, crossover simulation study was performed with
40 lifeguards working in Warsaw, Wroclaw, and Poznan, Poland. The subjects then participated in
a target study, in which they were asked to perform 2-min cycles of metronome-guided chest compressions
at different rates: 80, 90, 100, 110, 120, 130, 140, and 150 compressions per minute (CPM).
RESULTS: The study involved 40 lifeguards. Optimal chest compression score calculated by manikin
software was achieved for 110–120 CPM. Chest compression depth achieved 53 (interquartile range
[IQR] 52–54) mm, 56 (IQR 54–57) mm, 52.5 (IQR 50–54) mm, 53 (IQR 52–53) mm, 50 (IQR 49–51)
mm, 47 (IQR 44–51) mm, 41 (IQR 40–42) mm, 38 (IQR 38–43) mm for 80, 90, 100, 110, 120, 130,
140 and 150 CPM, respectively. The percentage of chest compressions with the correct depth was lower
for rates exceeding 120 CPM.
CONCLUSIONS: The rate of 100–120 CPM, as recommended by international guidelines, is the optimal
chest compression rate for cardiopulmonary resuscitation performed by lifeguards. A rate above 120 CPM
was associated with a dramatic decrease in chest compression depth and overall chest compression
quality. The role of full chest recoil should be emphasized in basic life support training.

Details

Title
The effect of chest compression frequency on the quality of resuscitation by lifeguards. A prospective randomized crossover multicenter simulation trial
Author
Smereka, Jacek 1 ; Iskrzycki, Łukasz 1 ; Makomaska-Szaroszyk, Elżbieta 2 ; Bielski, Karol 2 ; Frass, Michael 3 ; Robak, Oliver 3 ; Ruetzler, Kurt 4 ; Czekajło, Michael 5 ; Rodríguez-Núnez, Antonio 6 ; López-Herce, Jesús 7 ; Szarpak, Łukasz 8 

 Department of Emergency Medical Service, Wroclaw Medical University, Wroclaw, Poland., Wroclaw, Poland 
 Lazarski University, Warsaw, Poland 
 Department of Internal Medicine I, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria 
 Departments of Outcomes Research and General Anesthesia, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA., Cleveland, United States 
 Hounter Holmes McGuire Center for Simulation and Healthcare, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA, Richmond, United States 
 Paediatric Emergency and Critical Care Division, Paediatric Area Hospital Clinico Universitario de Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, Spain., Santiago de Compostela, Spain 
 Paediatric Intensive Care Department, Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Marannón, Medical School, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain., Madrid, Spain 
 Lazarski University, Warsaw, Poland. [email protected] 
First page
769
End page
776
Publication year
2019
Publication date
2019
Publisher
Wydawnictwo Via Medica
ISSN
18975593
e-ISSN
1898018X
Source type
Scholarly Journal
Language of publication
English
ProQuest document ID
2464206114
Copyright
© 2019. This work is published under https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/ (the “License”). Notwithstanding the ProQuest Terms and Conditions, you may use this content in accordance with the terms of the License.