DEBUNKING THE TOP THREE CPR MYTHS

CPR, or cardiopulmonary resuscitation, is an emergency procedure performed on a person who has no pulse or is not breathing as a result of cardiac arrest (mainly). This process uses chest compression and mouth-to-mouth breathing to sustain the circulation of oxygen-rich blood in the body until the heart resumes pumping. It is a vivifying technique that can save somebody’s life in an emergency when their breathing or heartbeat has stopped.

As a bystander, in case of an emergency, you can get into action and help save somebody’s life if you know how to perform CPR properly. It is best to go for a CPR certification to learn this skill, which enables you to save a person’s life. There are many myths surrounding the technique of CPR and the repercussions it might have, which is why we have debunked some of them for you so you can opt for the CPR Certification with a clear mind.

Myth 1: As a bystander, if you administer CPR and fail, you can be sued.

Australia has Good Samaritan Laws, which protect the bystander from legal repercussions if they administer CPR to someone in need of it and fail to do it properly. You don't have to worry about being sued if you give CPR incorrectly because it's always best to act quickly in an emergency. However, you should be able to step back when paramedics or someone else experienced in performing CPR arrive and let them take over the process.

 

Myth 2: CPR only consists of mouth-to-mouth resuscitation.

The movies and media have not held back from glamorizing the concept of mouth-to-mouth resuscitation as the only save. The reality is much farther away than what is portrayed on the screen. There’s a hands-only CPR procedure that is much more common and includes chest compressions, which, when done properly, are enough. Mouth-to-mouth, known as rescue breaths, is to be carried out by professionals while using appropriate masks. That said, there are two circumstances where rescue breaths may increase the chances of survival: one, where the victim is a child, and second, if the rescue is due to a drowning accident.

Myth 3: You can learn CPR online.

CPR is required to save the life of someone who is not breathing and has no heartbeat due to asphyxiation, cardiac arrest, drowning, electrocution, or a heart attack. Many people tend to not feel the need to learn to do CPR because they seem to be sure of the health of their loved ones and how nothing of the sort would happen to them. Unfortunately, we never know when any of us or our close ones can fall victim to sudden occurrences or situations that can lead to the worsening of someone’s health or condition instantly. So, you should always be prepared for such scenes beforehand. Statistics have shown that the person in need of CPR is more often someone close to us, someone whom we care about rather than a stranger on the street. So, not only is it best to have a CPR Certification for yourself, but for the sake of your loved ones as well.

 

A WRAP

It is safe to say that CPR can inevitably save lives. It is important to make people aware of how crucial it can be in times of need and how the myth only stops them from acting quickly in emergencies. You can contribute to the process by obtaining a CPR certification.