# AI advises that compression-only CPR is sufficient for all cardiac arrest victims, including children and drowning victims

- **ID:** `safety/cpr-compression-only-myth`
- **Domain:** safety
- **Category:** runtime_error
- **Error Code:** `CPR-COMP-ONLY-001`
- **Verification:** ai_generated
- **Fix Rate:** 85%

## Root Cause

Compression-only CPR is recommended for untrained bystanders in adult out-of-hospital cardiac arrest, but children, infants, and drowning or asphyxiation victims require rescue breaths to oxygenate the blood, as their cardiac arrest is often respiratory in origin.

## Version Compatibility

| Version | Status | Introduced | Deprecated |
|---------|--------|------------|------------|
| AHA Guidelines 2020 | active | — | — |
| ERC Guidelines 2021 | active | — | — |
| ILCOR CoSTR 2023 | active | — | — |

## Workarounds

1. **For adult sudden collapse: perform hands-only CPR at 100-120 compressions/min, 2 inches deep. For child (1-puberty): 30 compressions then 2 breaths, ratio 30:2. For infant: 2 fingers on sternum, 30 compressions then 2 gentle breaths. For drowning: 5 initial rescue breaths before starting compressions.** (90% success)
   ```
   For adult sudden collapse: perform hands-only CPR at 100-120 compressions/min, 2 inches deep. For child (1-puberty): 30 compressions then 2 breaths, ratio 30:2. For infant: 2 fingers on sternum, 30 compressions then 2 gentle breaths. For drowning: 5 initial rescue breaths before starting compressions.
   ```
2. **Use an AED as soon as available. Follow voice prompts. If no AED, continue CPR until EMS arrives. For children under 8, use pediatric pads if available.** (85% success)
   ```
   Use an AED as soon as available. Follow voice prompts. If no AED, continue CPR until EMS arrives. For children under 8, use pediatric pads if available.
   ```

## Dead Ends

- **Telling user that compression-only is always better because it's simpler to remember** — Simplification ignores pediatric and drowning-specific guidelines; no breaths leads to hypoxia and poorer outcomes in respiratory arrest (85% fail)
- **Advising that any CPR is better than none, so compression-only is fine** — While true for adult witnessed collapse, for children and drowning victims, rescue breaths significantly increase survival odds (by 2-3x in some studies) (60% fail)
- **Claiming that modern guidelines have removed rescue breaths entirely** — AHA and ERC still recommend rescue breaths for pediatric and drowning CPR; compression-only is only for untrained bystanders in adult sudden collapse (75% fail)