The findings are published in the Oct. 6 issue of The Journal of the American Medical Association .

Researchers found that adults who experienced cardiac arrest in a non-hospital setting, such as a restaurant or mall, were 60% more likely to survive if they received compression-only CPR than if they received traditional CPR or no CPR until an emergency medical services (EMS) crew arrived at the scene.

Benefits of Chest-Compression-Only CPR

The researchers say chest-compression-only CPR may be easier to learn and remember than traditional CPR, which alternates between chest compressions and mouth-to-mouth resuscitation. Non-medical personnel may be more willing to perform chest-compression-only CPR, as they may not want to do mouth-to-mouth resuscitation -- especially on strangers.

There may be additional benefits to this method as well. The survival edge may occur because interrupting chest compressions --- even just for rescue breathing-- may further hamper blood flow, and it takes longer to get that blood flow back when it is time for more chest compressions, explains study researcher Bentley J. Bobrow, MD, of the Arizona Department of Health Services in Phoenix.

The new study adds to a growing body of literature that supports the use of chest-compression-only CPR by bystanders during cardiac arrest. Guidelines due out later this year are expected to endorse this method as equal to, if not better than, traditional CPR for nonmedical bystanders, according to information in an accompanying editorial.

The new study looked at rates and types of CPR performed by lay people following a five-year statewide public education effort in Arizona that aimed to teach and encourage chest-compression-only CPR. Outreach included radio spots and interviews, inserts in utility bills, and free training in various settings.