Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) 2025 – 400 Free Practice Questions to Pass the Exam

The recommended strategy for teaching the public about CPR centers around emphasizing hands-only CPR, which highlights the critical role of immediate chest compressions. This approach is particularly effective because it simplifies the learning process for laypersons who may feel overwhelmed or apprehensive about performing CPR.

Hands-only CPR focuses on the key elements: pushing hard and fast in the center of the chest at a rate of 100 to 120 compressions per minute. By removing the aspect of mouth-to-mouth breathing, it increases the likelihood that bystanders will spring into action without hesitation. Research has shown that immediate chest compressions can significantly improve survival rates in cases of cardiac arrest, as they help maintain blood flow to vital organs, particularly the brain.

In contrast, while mouth-to-mouth breathing is a component of traditional CPR, it can pose challenges for individuals who may not feel comfortable performing it or may lack the training needed to do so effectively. Encouraging the use of an AED is important, but it should complement, not replace, hands-only CPR, as defibrillation is most effective when combined with good-quality CPR. Additionally, checking for a pulse prior to initiating CPR can delay critical intervention and is not recommended for laypersons who may not be skilled in pulse assessment.

Overall,