The CPR Change You Need to Know: From ABC to CAB

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6 days ago
1 min read

From the desk of Shane Walker, American Heart Association CPR First Aid Instructor.

Hands performing CPR on a training mannequin, lying on a blue mat. Background is yellow, suggesting an educational setting.

For many who have maintained their CPR cards for a long time, there has been a change from the old mnemonic device ABC to the newer CAB mnemonic device.

The original ABC stood for Airway, Breathing, Circulation. The shift to CAB — Circulation, Airway, Breathing — addressed prioritizing compressions to circulate any remaining oxygen in the bloodstream.

This approach helps protect vital organs, especially the brain.

Studies of first aid response in the field revealed that responders were taking too much time in the critical first moments to check breathing before initiating compressions.

Since that switch, there has been a marked improvement in outcomes from cardiac arrest. In some instances, a 10% higher survival rate was attributed to this change. Streamlining the process for lay responders offers clearer guidance and direct action.

This can mean the difference between life and death.