5 Common Errors in Performing CPR and How to Avoid Them
Practicing first aid is important because it could one day mean the difference between life and death. That goes double when you’re a parent, as your children often run into dangerous, unforeseen circumstances.
It’s vital that you know CPR. However, many people have misconceptions about how to perform it, worrying it will result in damage to the patient. This isn’t the case.
Most errors in performing CPR come from the rescuer, not the procedure itself. Keep reading to learn about common CPR mistakes, so you can avoid them.
5. Understanding the Basics of CPR Before Attempting
One of the biggest mistakes people make when attempting CPR is not understanding the basics before trying. This can lead to a lot of common errors and mistakes in performance.
To prevent these errors, it is important to become familiar with the signs, symptoms, and techniques of CPR and to practice them. Before attempting the procedure, learn more about how to perform CPR at https://cprcertificationnow.com/pages/group-discounts for example, and enroll in CRP training classes.
4. Proper Hand Placement in CPR
This can reduce chest compression effectiveness and can even cause harm sometimes. To ensure safe and proper chest compressions in CPR, it is important to ensure that your hands are placed in the proper position.
In adult CPR, your hands should be placed just below the center of the victim’s chest, with the heel of one hand placed directly over the lower sternum, and the other hand placed directly over the first hand. Interlock your fingers and straighten your arms.
3. Delivering Rescue Breaths
If air is exhaled too quickly, either because the rescuer is breathing in too short of a burst, or breathing out quickly due to panicking, the heart can be deprived of vital oxygen.
To avoid this mistake, practice delivering the breaths in a slow and steady manner, using a count of five for each breath in and a count of five for each breath out. A good way to ensure your air is delivered in the correct manner is to count out loud and make sure the person you are delivering CPR to is responding with rising and falling of their chest.
2. Preventing Hyperventilation
Hyperventilation is dangerous because it increases the amount of carbon dioxide lost from the body, possibly resulting in respiratory or cardiac arrest. To prevent hyperventilation, chest compressions should always be done at a rate of 100-120 compressions per minute without allowing for full chest recoil.
Overpressurizing lungs with high-rate breaths can lead to a release of carbon dioxide, triggering hyperventilation. Providers should maintain consistent and even pressure when blowing air.
1. Dealing with an Unresponsive Victim
One of the most frequent errors is failing to check for responsiveness before beginning CPR. It is important to look for signs of breathing and movement, listen for sounds of breathing, and feel for the presence of a carotid pulse.
Another mistake is failing to take proper steps in preparing for compression and ventilation, such as ensuring that the head is in a neutral position, maintaining an open airway, and providing adequate ventilation.
Avoid Errors in Performing CPR Today
It is important to remember to stay up to date on CPR training to be able to confidently and effectively perform CPR and help save a life. It’s easy to avoid errors in performing CPR by knowing the most current guidelines and techniques.
Remember – every second counts!
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