10 Things you Didn't know about CPR - Debunking Common Myths

CPR or cardiopulmonary resuscitation is one such vital discipline in the field of healthcare that everyone should be acquainted with. Not only professionals in the respective industry, but even a common man should know how to administer the techniques and methods of CPR on a victim of cardiac arrest. There are many myths and misconceptions present in the entire sphere of CPR techniques, education and methods. The following are few of the common myths, which are debunked in this article:

  1. The most common misconception about performing CPR is that it isa mandatory rule of providing mouth-to-mouth resuscitation or breathing to a victim. It is nothing but a big misconception. Health professional or a rescuer will immediately initiate the process of chest compressions on the concerning victim. You will require wearing a mask in order to give breaths or avoid it completely, if you are uncomfortable with the process.
  2. Another myth is that CPR works always, which is not true, unfortunately. Survival rate amongst adults having cardiac arrests in places other than a hospital is between 2% and 15%.
  3. With the availability of online programs and the promises made by many institutions, many people are under this wrong notion that proficiency in CPR can be attained via a single online class. Through the online classes, you can learn the techniques and steps, but performing the same is not possible via the virtual arena. Hands-on practice can be done only with the help of a certified CPR instructor.
  4. There are people who are scared to perform CPR during an emergency out of legalities. They fear of getting sued, if they make a mistake while giving CPR. There isn’t any lawsuit against such mistakes or errors. Lawsuits are enforced on certified CPR professionals or when they make use of AED.
  5. Another myth surround CPR is that a victim can be saved with CPR alone. A defibrillator/AED will aid in returning the normal rhythm of a victim’s heart, which is not possible via CPR alone. CPR can delay fatality until an AED provides lifesaving shocks.
  6. Health emergencies should be handled by healthcare professionals with lot of experience only and this goes same for situations occurring out of cardiac arrests amongst victims. This is so not true. A victim suffering from cardiac arrest can be saved, if someone gives CPR immediately and chest compressions.
  7. Amongst common myths surrounding CPR is that cardiac arrest is not different from heart attack. They are different conditions, which prevalence of different treatments. The causes of both conditions are not same.
  8. Many believe that the concerning victim should cough in order to prevent his/her condition from getting worse. Cough CPR is misinterpreted with vagal maneuver, which is used for stimulating vagus nerve in a victim for slowing down the heart rate.
  9. One of the biggest misconceptions surrounding CPR is that it can help restart the heart of a victim if it is in asystole condition. CPR helps in pushing oxygenated blood to the brain and vital organs of a victim. Continuous CPR will only reduce the number of brain cells in a victim, thereby, reducing longevity of the same.
  10. Finally, many think that CPR only harms or aggravates the situation than doing any good, which is not at all true. CPR is performed on a person with the absence of heartbeat. Chest compressions can only be effective, if done in a fast and rigorous manner. This can damage the ribs, but do no harm at all.

if you know more, please share in our comments section!

CPR HQ

More articles by the writer

CPR or cardiopulmonary resuscitation is one such vital discipline in the field of healthcare that everyone should be acquainted with. Not only professionals in the respective industry, but even a common man should know how to administer the techniques and methods of CPR on a victim of cardiac arrest. There are many myths and misconceptions present in the entire sphere of CPR techniques, education and methods. The following are few of the common myths, which are debunked in this article:

  1. The most common misconception about performing CPR is that it isa mandatory rule of providing mouth-to-mouth resuscitation or breathing to a victim. It is nothing but a big misconception. Health professional or a rescuer will immediately initiate the process of chest compressions on the concerning victim. You will require wearing a mask in order to give breaths or avoid it completely, if you are uncomfortable with the process.
  2. Another myth is that CPR works always, which is not true, unfortunately. Survival rate amongst adults having cardiac arrests in places other than a hospital is between 2% and 15%.
  3. With the availability of online programs and the promises made by many institutions, many people are under this wrong notion that proficiency in CPR can be attained via a single online class. Through the online classes, you can learn the techniques and steps, but performing the same is not possible via the virtual arena. Hands-on practice can be done only with the help of a certified CPR instructor.
  4. There are people who are scared to perform CPR during an emergency out of legalities. They fear of getting sued, if they make a mistake while giving CPR. There isn’t any lawsuit against such mistakes or errors. Lawsuits are enforced on certified CPR professionals or when they make use of AED.
  5. Another myth surround CPR is that a victim can be saved with CPR alone. A defibrillator/AED will aid in returning the normal rhythm of a victim’s heart, which is not possible via CPR alone. CPR can delay fatality until an AED provides lifesaving shocks.
  6. Health emergencies should be handled by healthcare professionals with lot of experience only and this goes same for situations occurring out of cardiac arrests amongst victims. This is so not true. A victim suffering from cardiac arrest can be saved, if someone gives CPR immediately and chest compressions.
  7. Amongst common myths surrounding CPR is that cardiac arrest is not different from heart attack. They are different conditions, which prevalence of different treatments. The causes of both conditions are not same.
  8. Many believe that the concerning victim should cough in order to prevent his/her condition from getting worse. Cough CPR is misinterpreted with vagal maneuver, which is used for stimulating vagus nerve in a victim for slowing down the heart rate.
  9. One of the biggest misconceptions surrounding CPR is that it can help restart the heart of a victim if it is in asystole condition. CPR helps in pushing oxygenated blood to the brain and vital organs of a victim. Continuous CPR will only reduce the number of brain cells in a victim, thereby, reducing longevity of the same.
  10. Finally, many think that CPR only harms or aggravates the situation than doing any good, which is not at all true. CPR is performed on a person with the absence of heartbeat. Chest compressions can only be effective, if done in a fast and rigorous manner. This can damage the ribs, but do no harm at all.

if you know more, please share in our comments section!

Vlad Magdalin

Passionate reader | People person | The one behind All dad jokes