There is increasing evidence that the most important factor in the early stages of a cardiac arrest in adults is continuous chest compressions, to the extent that non trained personnel should not waste time trying to give "kiss of life". Even paramedics are not always very good at continuous compressions - they get distracted with airway, vascular access, etc. It would be nice if someone could lift the chin to open the airway so that there is air movement with the compressions, and of course the chances of survival also rely on rapid defibrillation using the Automatic External Defibrillator if it is a shockable rhythm. There's nothing to lose by trying, particularly in the pilot age group. Someone mentioned up to 10% survival - one in ten doesn't sound bad when the alternative - doing nothing - is pretty close to 0%