Evaluation of a prototype CPR assist-tool.

A CPR provider is often called upon to expand considerable physical energy to deliver external cardiac compressions. This research evaluates and compares the performance of recently certified basic rescuers on a mannequin using the standard method of CPR, and the performance with an adjunctive CPR assist-tool. Use of the tool significantly increased the overall quality of individual performances by reducing the frequency of inadequate compressions and increasing the time of acceptable performance. Other common errors were not significantly affected.