kiss of life?

[bieasy]

Hi,

When someone has drowned and we try to save him we give him a 'kiss of life'? Is it true or do you have a more common term?

 

[emsr2d2]

Hi,

When someone has drowned and we try to save him we give him a 'kiss of life'? Is it true or do you have a more common term?

"The kiss of life" is a common, informal term. Officially, it's "mouth-to-mouth resuscitation".

It's not only when someone drowns. It's used whenever someone has stopped breathing.

 

[bhaisahab]

Hi,

When someone has drowned and we try to save him we give him a 'kiss of life'? Is it true or do you have a more common term?

"Mouth to mouth resuscitation" is commonly known as "the kiss of life".

 

[Ouisch]

In AmE, "kiss of life" would be understood as mouth-to-mouth resuscitation, but the most common term for that procedure is CPR, which is an abbreviation for cardiopulmonary resuscitation. For example, if a person untrained in the proper mouth-to-mouth resuscitation procedure pulled a drowning person out of the swimming pool, he would immediately call out to the bystanders "Does anyone here know CPR??"

 

[emsr2d2]

In AmE, "kiss of life" would be understood as mouth-to-mouth resuscitation, but the most common term for that procedure is CPR, which is an abbreviation for cardiopulmonary resuscitation. For example, if a person untrained in the proper mouth-to-mouth resuscitation procedure pulled a drowning person out of the swimming pool, he would immediately call out to the bystanders "Does anyone here know CPR??"

Though CPR is the name for the combination of the process of trying to restart someone's heart by pressing the chest, and also using the mouth to mouth procedure. Pressing the chest is the "cardio" part, and the breathing bit is the "pulmonary" part.

If someone has simply stopped breathing, but their heart is still beating, it's important not to do the chest compressions as this can cause serious heart damage. You would only do the full procedure if the person has stopped breathing AND their heart has stopped.

 

[Ouisch]

Though CPR is the name for the combination of the process of trying to restart someone's heart by pressing the chest, and also using the mouth to mouth procedure. Pressing the chest is the "cardio" part, and the breathing bit is the "pulmonary" part.

If someone has simply stopped breathing, but their heart is still beating, it's important not to do the chest compressions as this can cause serious heart damage. You would only do the full procedure if the person has stopped breathing AND their heart has stopped.

Well, technically speaking, this is an understood part of the whole "Does anyone know CPR?" query in an emergency situation. A person who has had proper (certified) CPR training knows not to perform the chest compressions if there is a heartbeat present. "Does anyone know CPR?" is similar to asking "Is there a doctor in the house?" The person who responds is expected to know proper procedure.

 

[emsr2d2]

Well, technically speaking, this is an understood part of the whole "Does anyone know CPR?" query in an emergency situation. A person who has had proper (certified) CPR training knows not to perform the chest compressions if there is a heartbeat present. "Does anyone know CPR?" is similar to asking "Is there a doctor in the house?" The person who responds is expected to know proper procedure.

Oh yes, I agree that if someone was asked to help, you would hope that they knew the correct procedure. I was simply commenting on your post which said "In AmE, "kiss of life" would be understood as mouth-to-mouth resuscitation, but the most common term for that procedure is CPR," as if the kiss of life and CPR were exactly the same thing.

 

[BobK]

'CPR' is the term I'd use, but I used to be a first-aider. The reason for using it is that mouth-to-mouth breathing is useless unless the heart is going; (manual CPR is pretty useless as well - about 7% successful I was told - but not as useless ;-))

b