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Meeker-O'Connell, Ann. "How CPR Works." 08 January 2001. HowStuffWorks.com. <http://health.howstuffworks.com/cpr.htm> 09 May 2008.
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CPR and Infectious Disease
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CPR and Infectious Disease
It's clear that CPR is an effective part of the emergency response to cardiopulmonary arrest, one that could potentially save thousands of lives a year. Yet, in most cases, victims aren't getting this lifesaving treatment, even when bystanders are familiar with CPR.Why won't people perform CPR on strangers? It turns out that a large number of people are afraid of contracting some nasty disease during mouth-to-mouth resuscitation. This fear was heightened by the emergence of deadly infectious diseases, such as HIV, that are spread by bodily fluids. Even though there have been no documented cases of anyone ever catching AIDS during CPR, there is still a chance, however tiny, of this happening.
To assuage the public's fear, CPR training now incorporates personal protective gear during the various steps. Some of the safety devices used include:
- Gloves - Gloves prevent contact with saliva (if you have to reach in their mouth) and blood (if the victim has cuts or abrasions).
- Personal resuscitation masks - A personal resuscitation mask allows you to provide artificial respiration through a barrier that prevents contact with saliva and mucus membranes.
 A personal resuscitation mask from Rondex |
The one drawback is that you have to carry your CPR kit with you everywhere. Most people don't plan when they go into cardiopulmonary arrest, so you never know where you might need your gear.
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Please copy/paste the following text to properly cite this How Stuff Works article:
Meeker-O'Connell, Ann. "How CPR Works." 08 January 2001. HowStuffWorks.com. <http://health.howstuffworks.com/cpr.htm> 09 May 2008.
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