Ace the Canadian Red Cross Standard First Aid Challenge 2026 – Become the Lifesaver You Were Born to Be!

Compression-only CPR is considered acceptable in situations where an individual is unwilling or unable to give breaths, particularly when performing CPR on an adult who has collapsed due to a sudden cardiac arrest. The critical factor is that the provision of effective chest compressions alone can significantly improve survival rates when a bystander responds quickly, even without providing breaths.

This technique is especially promoted because it ensures that blood flow is maintained to vital organs, including the heart and brain, during a cardiac emergency. Bystanders may hesitate to perform CPR due to concern about giving breaths, especially in cases where they are untrained or uncomfortable with mouth-to-mouth resuscitation. In such instances, focusing solely on compressions can still save lives, emphasizing the importance of any action over inaction.

The other scenarios either do not meet the criteria for this approach or do not involve individuals needing CPR. For instance, if an individual is conscious and responsive, they do not require CPR, and visible injuries might indicate a different medical issue rather than cardiac arrest. Being trained in full CPR is helpful but not necessary for compression-only methods, as the essence of the practice is to act quickly and effectively even without extensive training.