Did you know that every year about 436,000 Americans die from cardiac arrest? If you are new to CPR and wondering how to perform it correctly, this article is for you.
While CPR can be a life-saving technique, there are some common mistakes beginners make that could reduce its effectiveness. In this blog post, we’ll cover the top CPR mistakes for beginners and provide tips on how to avoid them.
Whether you’re learning CPR for personal or professional reasons, read on to ensure that you’re performing this vital skill as effectively as possible. Let’s go!
1. Delaying Starting CPR
Delaying starting CPR is a common mistake people make when it comes to CPR. Many people are hesitant to start CPR because they don’t have the AED Certification, but the reality is that every second counts when someone is having a cardiac arrest.
The sooner you start CPR, the better the chances of survival. When you are hesitant, remember that it is better to do something than nothing at all. If you want to learn more about how to start CPR, a CPR training class is a good option.
2. Not Calling 911
Many people are hesitant to call 911, thinking they might not be able to do CPR properly or they might get in trouble because they don’t have the right certifications. When someone has a sudden cardiac arrest, every second counts. The sooner you can start CPR, the better your chances of survival.
Calling 911 should be your first step when someone has a cardiac arrest. The dispatcher will be able to give you instructions on how to perform CPR if you’re not familiar with it. And don’t worry about getting in trouble – good Samaritan laws protect you from liability as long as you’re acting in good faith and not doing anything negligent.
3. Not Giving Adequate Chest Compressions
Another mistake when performing CPR is not giving adequate chest compressions. You must be applying pressure in CPR, hard and fast enough to keep the blood flowing. The American Heart Association recommends that your CPR hand placement and pressing rate is at least two inches deep and at a rate of 100–120 compressions per minute.
4. Not Breathing Properly
Not breathing properly is a mistake that people make when performing CPR. Remember, you need to perform mouth-to-mouth resuscitation for the victim to get oxygen.
You also need to make sure that you are using the correct CPR compression rate. The recommended ratio is 30 compressions to 2 breaths.
5. Not Using a Mask
When performing CPR, not using a mask is a common mistake. Masks help protect rescuers from mouth-to-mouth contact with the victim and prevent the spread of disease.
Masks are an important part of CPR because they help reduce the risk of infection. When performing CPR on someone who is not breathing, there is a chance that you could come into contact with their saliva, blood, or other bodily fluids. This can put you at risk of contracting diseases like HIV or hepatitis.
Avoid These CPR Mistakes for Beginners
Knowing how to perform CPR properly can be a life-saving skill, so we all must take the time to understand the basics or enroll in CPR Courses Hamilton Ontario and avoid making any of these common mistakes. These mistakes include not calling 911, not giving adequate chest compressions, not breathing properly, not using a mask, and delaying starting CPR.
By avoiding these CPR mistakes for beginners, you can have the confidence you need to help save someone in need.
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