5 Mistakes When Performing CPR and How to Avoid Them

When a life is on the line, you are able to be tested as a human being. When it is a loved one that collapses, in a crucial moment, you need to act fast.

Recognizing an emergency, you rush to perform CPR. When it’s a fictional movie or television series, performing CPR is simple. The problem comes in when you are called to save a life. It costs nothing to learn, but it costs everything to perform incorrectly.

When saving a life is a moment of tests your ability as an individual, saving a life is important to do correctly. Be aware of these mistakes when performing CPR, and how to prevent them.

Read on!

  1. Excessive Ventilation

Excessive ventilation is providing the patient with more breaths than necessary, and if breaths are too strong, they can cause airway destruction.

To avoid this mistake, keep breaths to ten-to-twelve per minute and make sure not to press too forcefully on the patient’s chest. Lastly, ensure that the patient’s chest is fully inflated after each breath to ensure proper oxygen levels reach the lungs. 

  1. Incorrect Chest Compressions

It is essential to press at least 2 inches deep and to keep the correct rate of 100-120 beats per minute. When pressing, the chest should be released completely, without any residual pressure.

To ensure that the right amount of force is applied throughout the resuscitation, rescuers can periodically check the carotid pulse with two fingers. Also, rescuers should avoid pressing too hard on the chest as this can damage the ribs. 

  1. Bending the Fingers

Bending your fingers while pressing on the chest can make it difficult to keep proper form and could cause injury. Ensure that your fingertips are parallel to the center line of the body, as it will help prevent chest compression depth errors. 

To avoid making this mistake, ensure that your arms are kept straight and that you’re using your palms to perform compressions. It takes practice to become comfortable with applying proper chest compressions, so consider taking a class and refining your skills.

  1. Failing to Call for Help

Knowing when and how to call for help can save the life of the person requiring CPR. The first step is to be aware of where the closest phone is located.

Symptoms that indicate a need for help include any signs of life from the person, and/or lack of responsiveness. If no one is present, call 911, and give the necessary information to the dispatcher, such as the address of the location, the person’s name, and the condition.

Being CPT certified is also important to ensure that you know how to save a life while waiting for help to arrive.

  1. Incorrect Position of Arms

CPR hand placement s important not to make mistakes like the incorrect placement of arms. The mistake of putting arms in the wrong place can decrease the number of chest compressions and prohibit adequate blood flow to the patient’s brain.

To avoid such errors, focus on the sternum when placing arms.

Avoid These Mistakes When Performing CPR

To avoid these mistakes when performing CPR, remember to take your time and stay calm. Make sure you are providing enough compressions, allowing for complete chest recoil, and checking for any signs of awakening.

Use an AED if available, and seek medical help if possible. With these precautions, you can help give those in need of CPR a greater chance at survival.

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