South Korea Simplifies CPR Rules to Boost Emergency Response and Save Lives

South Korea has updated its CPR guidelines to simplify life-saving procedures and encourage more bystanders to act in emergencies. The changes, announced by the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA), remove previous requirements and introduce clearer steps for different situations.

A key update involves the use of automated external defibrillators (AEDs) on women. Rescuers no longer need to remove an unresponsive woman's undergarments before attaching the pads. Instead, they should adjust the clothing and place the pads directly on bare skin, avoiding breast tissue. Experiments led by Lee Chang-hee, a professor at Namseoul University, confirmed that leaving undergarments in place did not interfere with pad placement or the shock's effectiveness.

For infants under one year old, the guidelines now recommend two-thumb encircling chest compressions, regardless of how many rescuers are present. Palm-heel thrusts have also been added to the existing advice for clearing airway obstructions in babies. In cases of drowning-related cardiac arrest, rescuers should perform conventional CPR, including rescue breathing.

The KDCA hopes these revisions will reduce hesitation around physical contact and increase the use of AEDs. The updated guidelines are available for download on the agency's website.

The changes aim to make CPR simpler and more accessible, particularly in emergencies where bystanders might hesitate. By removing barriers and clarifying techniques, health officials expect survival rates for cardiac arrest patients to improve. The revised guidelines apply immediately and are now the standard for training and emergency response.