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Regardless of widespread public well being efforts, the harmful fable of “prevention of tongue-swallowing” continues to persist throughout cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). New analysis within the Canadian Journal of Cardiology exposes the mainstream and social media’s detrimental position in perpetuating this false impression, which regularly results in vital delays in correct CPR for collapsed athletes.
Concern about “tongue-swallowing” leads resuscitators to waste invaluable time attempting to take away the tongue from the airway path, quite than instantly initiating important CPR procedures. The findings from this evaluation underscore an pressing want for world public well being campaigns to appropriate CPR myths and emphasize the significance of instant chest compressions. The research systematically analyzed 45 instances of athletes collapsing throughout sports activities occasions (1990–2024) that have been caught on video or documented on-line, specializing in preliminary resuscitation actions and corresponding media protection.
Commenting on the primary findings of the evaluation, Dana Viskin, MD—the lead investigator of the article titled “The Myth of “Tongue Swallowing’ Delays Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation of Athletes With Cardiac Arrest, But It Is Usually Perpetuated by the Media,”—says, “Our evaluation confirmed that in 84% of instances the place the preliminary response was seen, inappropriate maneuvers to ‘stop tongue-swallowing’ have been carried out earlier than correct CPR. These incorrect actions have been considerably related to poor outcomes: 67% of these receiving such maneuvers died or had extreme mind damage, in comparison with 0% when CPR was the primary response.”
Dr. Viskin is from the Division of Cardiology, Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Middle and College of Drugs, Tel Aviv College.
“Given that some SCA patients, particularly young males with shockable arrest rhythms, may exhibit seizure-like activity at onset—a pattern frequently observed in sports-related SCA—it is understandable how this myth may have carried into the public response to athletic SCA, despite the absence of clinical guideline support for such an intervention,” factors out Nicholas Grubic, MSc, the writer of the accompanying editorial, titled “Countering Misinformation in the Response to Sudden Cardiac Arrest in Athletes.” Grubic is from the Division of Epidemiology, Dalla Lana College of Public Well being, College of Toronto.
“Furthermore, signs such as cyanosis and agonal respirations can be mistaken for choking, often prompting bystanders to prioritize airway inspection over initiating CPR. Recent qualitative research has confirmed that such misinterpretations can delay or even interrupt life-saving interventions. Although promoting CPR and automated external defibrillator (AED) knowledge remains a cornerstone of SCA education, teaching the public to recognize the early signs of an arrest is equally critical, as every second without action drastically reduces the chance of survival.”
This analysis is very necessary now, as public CPR training turns into more and more very important with widespread media publicity to cardiac arrests in sports activities.
“Our study highlights the dangerous and persistent misconception of ‘tongue-swallowing prevention,’ which can delay the initiation of life-saving chest compressions. These delays may cost lives, and yet the media often praise such misguided actions as heroic. We urgently need to re-educate the public and the media and reframe the narrative around CPR, especially in sports,” emphasizes Dr. Viskin.
Mr. Grubic provides in conclusion, “Coordinated, evidence-informed communication methods are important to counter misinformation and assist public understanding, significantly in high-stakes conditions such because the response to SCA in athletes. Our public capability to avoid wasting lives shouldn’t be impeded by misinformed voices—now could be the time for the educational, well being care, and media sectors to affix forces and construct a more healthy info atmosphere for all.
“Responding to SCA is a team sport that starts with proper education to ensure that everyone is ready to step in, stay focused, and act. Although the prize is not a trophy, it is something much more valuable.”
Extra info:
The Fable of “Tongue Swallowing” Delays Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation of Athletes With Cardiac Arrest, But It Is Usually Perpetuated by the Media, Canadian Journal of Cardiology (2025). DOI: 10.1016/j.cjca.2025.06.002
Editorial: doi.org/10.1016/j.cjca.2025.07.001
Quotation:
‘Tongue swallowing prevention maneuvers’ delay CPR, may contribute to mind damage or loss of life for collapsed athletes (2025, July 30)
retrieved 30 July 2025
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