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2d ago

Study Exposes Harmful ‘Tongue-Swallowing’ Myth That Delays CPR in Athletes

Medical authorities are urging coordinated public and media education to replace misguided airway interventions with compressions-first CPR in sports settings.

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Overview

  • A Canadian Journal of Cardiology analysis of 45 athlete cardiac arrests (1990–2024) found bystanders attempted tongue-swallowing prevention before chest compressions in 84% of visible cases.
  • Athletes subjected to these airway maneuvers had a 67% rate of death or severe brain injury compared with 0% poor outcomes when CPR began with compressions.
  • Media review showed nearly half of high-exposure news articles praised tongue-swallowing interventions and 77% failed to highlight their inappropriateness.
  • Experts emphasize that the tongue cannot be swallowed and recommend a swift head–chin tilt to open the airway without delaying life-saving chest compressions.
  • The study’s release has prompted calls for global health campaigns to dispel CPR myths, reinforce compressions-first protocols and promote early defibrillation.