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
Common Mistakes
High-quality CPR depends on rapid recognition, effective chest compressions, appropriate breaths, early AED use, and minimizing interruptions. Knowing common mistakes can help rescuers avoid them.
Delaying CPR
Do not spend excessive time checking responsiveness, breathing, or a pulse. If a person is unresponsive and is not breathing normally or is only gasping, begin CPR promptly.
Incorrect Compression Rate
Chest compressions should be delivered at:
100-120 compressions per minute
Compressing substantially too slowly or too quickly can reduce CPR quality.
Incorrect Compression Depth
For adults:
- At least 2 inches (5 cm)
- Avoid excessive depth greater than approximately 2.4 inches (6 cm)
For children:
- At least one-third the depth of the chest
- Approximately 2 inches (5 cm)
For infants:
- At least one-third the depth of the chest
- Approximately 1.5 inches (4 cm)
Poor Chest Recoil
Allow the chest to return completely after each compression. Do not lean on the chest between compressions.
Bending the Elbows
During adult compressions, keep the elbows straight and position the shoulders directly over the hands. This allows the rescuer to use body weight effectively and helps maintain consistent depth.
Excessive Interruptions
Keep pauses in chest compressions as short as possible.
Do not stop CPR unnecessarily to:
- Repeatedly check for a pulse
- Reassess breathing
- Reposition equipment
- Discuss what to do next
Excessive Rescue Breaths
Give each breath over approximately 1 second and only until the chest visibly rises. Avoid forceful or excessive ventilation.
Incorrect AED Use
Common AED mistakes include:
- Delaying use of the AED
- Placing pads incorrectly
- Allowing pads to touch each other
- Touching the person during rhythm analysis
- Failing to clear everyone before a shock
- Pausing after a shock instead of immediately resuming CPR
Using Outdated Infant Compression Technique
Do not use the older two-finger chest-compression technique. Current infant CPR guidelines use the heel of one hand or a two-thumb, encircling-hands technique.
Remember
Good CPR is built around a few priorities: