ProsSudden cardiac arrest results in an instant stoppage of
blood flow through the blood vessels. This stoppage of blood
flow means that fresh, oxygenated blood is not transported to
the brain, which will die within four minutes. There is a
significant amount of oxygen in the bloodstream capable of
sustaining brain tissue for several minutes, even without
breathing. Proponents of doing CPR without rescue breathing
argue that continuous chest compressions get blood flowing
better than chest compressions interrupted by rescue breaths,
and that blood flow is the only way oxygen can reach vital
organs such as the brain. Proof that circulated blood holds
enough oxygen to sustain life without taking a breath lies in
examples of breath-holding. Freediver Tom Sietas of Germany
holds the world record for holding his breath, lasting 8 minutes
and 47 seconds. How could he do that unless his bloodstream was
capable of sustaining his brain? Opiate overdoses cause
respiratory arrest - victims completely stop breathing whil