CPR is easy to learn and easy to perform. That being said, there are still a few common mistakes laypeople and even a professional rescuer may make when administering life-saving CPR.
Mistake 1: Not Calling for Help First
You’ve witnessed a collapse and are providing aid. That’s great! But who is on their way to relieve you and take over to provide more advanced measures?
Activating the emergency response system is a vital part of the American Heart Association’s Chain of Survival. For most people, this means calling 911 if you are in the United States. Your workplace may have you call a different number or dial an outside line first. Calling 911 before starting CPR increases the chances of survival, as emergency responders are already on their way when you start compressions. The 911 operator can also coach you through the CPR process.
Mistake 2: Incorrect Hand Placement
Incorrect hand placement can increase the chances for injury during CPR. The AHA guidelines state to put the heel of one hand on the center of the person’s chest, over the lower half of the breastbone and put your other hand on top of the first hand.
Going too low can result in injuring the xiphoid process, a cartilage tip at the bottom of your sternum.
For a child, you can use one hand in the same location to give compressions rather than two. For an infant, use two fingers or two thumbs while encircling the infant with your hands.
Mistake 3: Compressing too shallow or too deep.
For adults and children, the ideal depth of compressions is two inches. For an infant, you are aiming to compress about 1/3 or the chest or about 1.5 inches.
Shallow compressions do not circulate blood, which is the entire point of compressions. Blood needs to travel to the brain and throughout the body to keep the patient alive. If you are not pressing deep enough, that blood is not moving effectively.
Compressions that are too deep can hurt your patient. Not only can ribs be cracked, anything in the general area is at risk. Doctors have reported patients with lacerations to organs, punctured lungs, and internal bleeding.
Mistake 4: Inconsistent Compression Rate
The CPR scene from The Office has them discussing which songs are best for thinking of when doing CPR. The most common song people know is Stayin’ Alive by The Bee Gees.
The ideal rate of chest compressions are 100-120 per minute. I’ve actually already done a blog post about songs that are great for this! Check it here 10 Songs You Can Do CPR With.
Slowing down or speeding up can reduce the effectiveness of compressions and increase rescuer fatigue.
Mistake 5: Stopping Compressions Too Often
Continuous compressions are vital for keeping oxygenated blood pumping through the body. When the rescuer stops compressions, that blood stops too. The AHA recommends that you should pause CPR for no more than 10 seconds to give rescue breaths or apply the AED.
Don’t forget, teamwork makes the dreamwork. If you have another rescuer, you can work together in these situations. One of you can give compressions while the other one is simultaneously applying the AED pads.
Studies show that your compressions start to become less effective after 2 minutes. At this point, if you have a second rescuer, you can switch out. Verbalize what your plan is and count off the switch to minimize time off the chest.
Don’t let these mistakes stop you from performing CPR
Mistakes happen. Most states have Good Samaritan laws in place that say if you act earnestly, and in good faith, you’re covered!
Practicing and refreshing your CPR skills is highly recommended every two years. Skills start to decline by this point. Building that muscle memory can be incredibly helpful! Sign up for a Schreiner CPR class today!