The federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says no scientific evidence shows that Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) is transmitted by saliva. The American Heart Association doesn't know of anyone getting AIDS from contact with a manikin used in CPR training, or from giving CPR to a cardiac arrest victim.

The recommendations in our publication, Instructor's Manual for Basic Life Support, should be strictly followed. For information on ordering, visit www.cpr-ecc.americanheart.org.

We endorse the recommendations on AIDS protection for healthcare workers published by the CDC. The CDC suggests that healthcare workers' employers and physicians should determine how to protect workers from AIDS patients' body fluids. And because AIDS infection can't be identified with certainty, precautions should be taken with all patients.

Face masks with one-way valves are recommended for trained rescuers who give CPR to people who may have infectious diseases. When CPR isn't done by a trained professional, it's usually done by a member of the immediate family. In this case, chances are good that the person's health status is known. A rescuer who knows the status and feels safe should not be reluctant to give CPR.

• CPR Signals and Actions Wallet Card

AHA Scientific Statement: International Guidelines 2000 for Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation and Emergency Cardiovascular Care: A Consensus on Science, #70-2041 Circulation. 2000;102[Suppl I]:I-1--I-384

Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, Centers for Disease Control, Aug. 21, 1987, pp. 35-185

AHA Special Report: A Reappraisal of Mouth-to-Mouth Ventilation During Bystander-Initiated Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation, #71-0118 Circulation. 1997;96:2102-2112

AHA Scientific Statement: Advisory Statements of the International Liaison Committee on Resuscitation (ILCOR), #71-0110 Circulation. 1997;95:2172-2173

AHA Scientific Statement: In-Hospital Resuscitation: Recommended Guidelines for Reviewing, Reporting, and Conducting Research on In-Hospital Resuscitation: the In-Hospital ‘Utstein Style’, #71-0109 Circulation. 1997;95:2211-2212