Is mouth to mouth resuscitation still used?

As a medical professional with expertise in emergency care, I can provide insight into the current practices of resuscitation. Mouth-to-mouth resuscitation, also known as rescue breathing, was a traditional part of CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation). However, guidelines have evolved over time. The American Heart Association and other resuscitation councils around the world have recognized that many people are hesitant to perform mouth-to-mouth breathing due to concerns about infections or personal discomfort. As a result, they have endorsed a technique known as "compression-only" or "Hands-Only" CPR for bystanders who are unwilling or unable to provide rescue breaths. This approach focuses on continuous chest compressions, which can maintain blood flow to the brain and heart, and it's based on the principle that "something is better than nothing." While traditional CPR, which includes mouth-to-mouth resuscitation, is more effective, the "compression-only" method is encouraged for those who are not trained or do not feel comfortable performing rescue breaths. Nonetheless, for those who have been trained in traditional CPR, including mouth-to-mouth resuscitation, they can still opt to use it. The choice between compression-only and traditional CPR should be based on the rescuer's training, confidence, and comfort level.

In these cases, people need mouth-to-mouth to get air into their lungs and bloodstream. But in either case, ��Something is better than nothing,�� Sayre said. The CPR guidelines had been inching toward compression-only. ... Those who have been trained in traditional cardiopulmonary resuscitation can still opt to use it.