CPR Certification Manual: Common Mistakes
- 1. Introduction
- 2. Recognizing Cardiac Arrest
- 3. Positioning & Pulse Check
- 4. Compressions for Adults
- 5. Compressions for Infants & Children
- 6. Ventilation Equipment
- 7. Ventilations for Adults
- 8. Ventilations for Infants & Children
- 9. AED Usage
- 10. AED Special Circumstances
- 11. Common Mistakes
- 12. Conclusion
- MyCPR Now™ Glossary
CPR - COMMON MISTAKES
Avoiding common CPR mistakes when administering Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation can help ensure high-quality CPR and maximize the chance of saving a life. Proper CPR techniques, including chest compressions and rescue breaths, are essential to improving the survivability of the victim. High-quality CPR can significantly reduce SCA mortality rates.
Some of the most common CPR administration mistakes are listed below:
- Not checking for scene safety before starting CPR
- Not calling for help before starting CPR
- Compressing at the wrong speed (usually too slowly)
- Not exerting enough force on the compressions
- Not allowing full chest recoil between compressions
- Bending elbows during compressions
- Compressing on the wrong area of the chest
- Using an incorrect compressions-to-ventilation ratio
- Treating non-life threatening wounds before starting or while performing CPR
- Not maintaining proper chest compressions, including depth and rate
- Not forming a proper seal during mouth-to-mouth resuscitation
- Not recognizing cardiac arrest and starting CPR immediately
- Not calling 911 immediately in the event of sudden cardiac arrest
Proper CPR training is crucial to avoid common mistakes and ensure effective responses in emergency scenarios. Regularly refreshing your CPR skills is essential to stay current with the latest guidelines and significantly impact life-saving efforts.