Rescuers may vary their side of approach to a casualty without impact on cardiopulmonary resuscitation performance.

AIM: To determine whether cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) performance is influenced by a rescuer's preferred side of approach.

METHODS: Eighty-three first-year healthcare students were enrolled in a prospective randomised crossover study comparing chest compression quality during uninterrupted chest compression CPR after approach from both their preferred and non-preferred sides.

RESULTS: Chest compression quality was not dependent on rescuers' sidedness preference; neither mean compression rate and depth nor hand positioning differed between sides of approach.

CONCLUSIONS: No link exists between the side from which a rescuer approaches, or prefers to approach, a casualty and chest compression quality.