Many people are nervous about performing CPR; understandably so. A life is quite literally in their hands! Unfortunately, there are many myths circulating about CPR that may prevent a person from performing lifesaving maneuvers.
Myth #1: You must do mouth-to-mouth resuscitation.
The most recent guidance from the American Heart Association emphasize the importance of high quality chest compressions. Ideal CPR does have a rate of 30 Compressions and 2 breaths in a cycle. However, hands only CPR is still effective! By doing this, compressions are never interrupted to give breaths. While giving rescue breaths is preferred, if you are not comfortable giving them or if the patient has been vomiting and you don’t have a barrier device, hands-only CPR is better than no CPR!
Myth #2 CPR is only for medical professionals.
This couldn’t be farther from the truth! There are CPR classes designed for just about anybody to learn. We aren’t asking you to learn how to tune a full code like an episode of Grey’s Anatomy. We just are asking you to help the patients blood circulate until more advanced help arrives. There are plenty of courses for professional rescuers (BLS, ACLS, PALS, etc.) but an AHA Heartsaver course is perfect for the average Joe.
Myth #3: I am going to harm someone if I do CPR.
We’ve all heard the stories of someone’s ribs and sternum getting cracked during compressions, and understandably so. We are asking you to compress their chest two inches! So yes, occasionally there is some damage to the chest. However, cracked ribs heal; a malfunctioning heart takes priority. There is far greater harm in not performing CPR.
Myth #4: The patient has to have no pulse to do CPR.
Current AHA guidelines are actually saying no! They say checking for a pulse can waste precious seconds (especially for laypeople who don’t check for pulses on the regular). The current steps advise to check the patient for responsiveness (after ensuring the scene is safe), call for help/send someone to get an AED, and then scan the chest to for 5-10 seconds to check for breathing. If the patient is not breathing, begin CPR. The pulse can be absent, or in some circumstances still be detected.
Myth #5: That shock device is dangerous!
An Automatic External Defibrillator (AED) is a crucial lifesaving tool that I believe should be visible in every business. This device will analyze a patients heartbeat and if it is a “shockable rhythm” advise that the rescuer deliver a shock to the patients heartbeat and then resume CPR. While a large jolt of electricity is scary, the AED has loud and clear audio prompts to follow and will only tell you to shock the patient if necessary. It will remind you to yell for everybody to stand clear (Yes! Just like TV!) and press a button to deliver a shock. It’s incredibly user friendly!
There are many myths that persist about CPR. Dispelling these myths is an important part of saving lives. Book A Class today to learn how to bust these myths and save a life!