The acronym CPR stands for "Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation". If you are performing CPR you are giving chest compressions and breaths with a ratio of 30:2. However, if you are ill-prepared and do not have a barrier device, then it is recommended that you do not give the breaths but instead perform chest compressions. The idea here is that your patient has residual oxygen in their body from the time cardiac arrest ensues. Our job at this point, is to move the blood around back into circulation to feed the dying organs while we wait for EMS to arrive. Most patients unfortunately do not receive CPR and perish as a result. Just starting chest compressions can triple the chance of survival for the victim. If you...