The risk of a severe medical event during long-duration spaceflight is significant and can endanger both the whole mission and crew. There is a certain risk for a cardiac arrest in space requiring cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). So far, 5 known techniques to perform CPR in microgravity have been reported.~The aim of the present study was to describe and gather data for two new CPR techniques useful in microgravity.~The investigators conducted a randomized controlled manikin trial and asked 15 participants with valid diving-license to resuscitate a manikin in two different techniques of CPR in a free-floating position underwater. The first technique, (Schmitz-Hinkelbein-Method) is similar to conventional CPR, with the patient in a supine position on the performer's knees for stabilization. The second technique (Hinkelbein-Schmitz-Method) is similar to the first, but chest compressions are conducted with the elbow.
The risk of a severe medical event during long-duration spaceflight is significant and can endanger both the whole mission and crew. There is a certain risk for a cardiac arrest in space requiring cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). So far, 5 known techniques to perform CPR in microgravity have been reported.~The aim of the present study was to describe and gather data for two new CPR techniques useful in microgravity.