
Originally Posted by
Red Ketchup
Absolutely NOT!
Hate to disagree, but in this day of deadly transmissible diseases, you look out for #1 first. You aren't of any use to anyone as a trained rescuer if you get contaminated by a patient.
When it comes to a stranger, no pocket mask? NO facial contact. Period. (Obviously things may a little different with a family member.) You can always start the cardiac massage while someone finds a pocket mask, but unprotected mouth-to-mouth is truly a thing of the past.
In first aid and cpr courses now, the first thing they teach you is to insure your personnal safety (that includes scene safety AND adequate personnal protection).
You then intervene according to your level of personnal safety, wether it's full CPR, partial, or even just calling 911 if your safety is at risk. (well, thats rules in Canada... Captn, I assume it's probably the same in the US?)
Red