10 Reasons Why People Don't do CPR
‘I might get sued’
Problem
Most people are afraid of being sued. Studies show that people think they can be sued for helping to treat someone.
Answer
People CAN NOT be sued for doing CPR or using an AED. The good Samaritan Act prevents people from being sued if they are trying to help and are not being paid for their services.
‘I might get a disease by doing Mouth to Mouth’ (Rescue breathing)
Problem
Most people are afraid to do mouth to mouth or rescue breathing because they think they will get a disease from the patient.
Answer
New “HANDS ONLY” CPR does NOT need the rescue to do mouth to mouth or rescue breathing. There is enough oxygen already in the blood, the rescuer just needs to do chest compressions and pump the blood and oxygen to the person’s brain. Paramedics will give Oxygen when they arrive to help.
‘It’s Gross!!’
Problem
Many patients have saliva or vomit around their mouth. Bystanders don’t have a shield or barrier device to prevent them from making direct contact with the patient. Most people don’t want to touch or contact the patient’s mouth because it’s really gross.
Answer
“Hands Only” CPR does not require mouth the mouth. Just place your hands on the patient’s chest and compress the chest at a rate of 100 compressions per minute
‘It’s really intense and you need a lot of training just like the Doctors on TV’
Problem
Treating a cardiac arrest patient on TV is very dramatic and intense. Doctors, RNs and paramedics are all really excited, anxious, sweating, yelling, the drama intimidates many people.
Answer
In reality, it is very simple, just do chest compressions “Hands Only” CPR and turn on the talking Automated External Defibrillator (AED) and follow the voice prompts. You don’t have to start an IV or intubate the patient, give medications etc. Keep it simple; DO “Hands Only” CPR and follow the voice prompts on the AED.
‘Mouth to Mouth is really difficult’
Problem
Treating a cardiac arrest patient on TV is very dramatic and intense. Doctors, RNs and paramedics are all really excited, anxious, sweating, yelling, the drama intimidates many people.
Answer
In reality, it is very simple, just do chest compressions “Hands Only” CPR and turn on the talking Automated External Defibrillator (AED) and follow the voice prompts. You don’t have to start an IV or intubate the patient, give medications etc. Keep it simple; DO “Hands Only” CPR and follow the voice prompts on the AED.
‘How many compressions and breathes do I give?’
Problem
CPR used to be more difficult. Rescuers had to do compressions and give mouth to mouth. The ratios always seemed to change; 5 compressions : 1 breath, sometimes it was 15:2 and later it was 30:2 and different depths of compressions for different ages AND SO ON…very confusing!
Answer
New “HANDS ONLY” CPR is really simple, just place your hands in the centre of the patient’s chest and do 100 compressions each minute about 2 inches or 5 cm deep. Don’t do mouth to mouth – keep it simple!!
‘I don’t want to hurt the person’
Problem
Many people are afraid of hurting the patient, breaking ribs or making it worse. What if I make mistake or injury the patient?
Answer
The patient is in cardiac arrest – it doesn’t get much worse than this. If you don’t start “HANDS ONLY” CPR then they will die. Broken ribs will heal, remember the patient’s heart has stopped pumping. You must get the blood circulating again by doing chest compression and using an AED.
‘I don’t know what to do first or next’
Problem
What do I do first, call for help, give 2 breathes, shake and shout, roll the person over, open their mouth, start chest compressions, use the AED, meet the firefighters out front, I am NOT SURE WHAT TO DO!
Answer
Call 911, Start “HANDS ONLY” CPR and do 100 compressions a minute until help arrives or an AED is available to use.
‘Should I do something before the paramedics arrive?’
Problem
People say “the paramedics will be here quickly”. In reality it takes most 911 agencies about 10 minutes or more to get to the patient. Most fire departments and EMS services measure their response time from the time they receive the 911 call until they arrive at the SCENE and NOT the time to the PATIENT. In some rural areas response times can be much greater.
Answer
DON’T WAIT for the paramedics or firefighters, begin “HANDS ONLY” CPR and use an AED until they arrive and take over.
‘I don’t want to shock the person’
Problem
Some people think an AED gives electric shocks and they are afraid they will be electrocuting the patient.
Answer
An Automated External Defibrillator (AED) gives therapeutic energy. These measured, controlled energy “shocks” are designed to re-set the heart and return a normal heart. rhythm.
