The Critical Role of Proper CPR Technique in Saving Lives
Author:
CPR Select
Last updated:
2/28/2025
CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) is a critical procedure in saving cardiac arrest victims. Whenever sudden cardiac arrest occurs, the victims need assistance within the shortest time possible. If CPR is not provided, fatalities can occur within 4 minutes.
Certain instances might cause a person to stop breathing in which case they are in urgent need for CPR. These include:
Cardiac arrest
Suspected sudden infant death syndrome
Electrocution
Smoke inhalation
Drug overdose
Poisoning
Suffocation
Incidents of near drowning
Road accidents
Choking
How Does Sudden Cardiac Arrest Occur?
Sudden cardiac arrest occurs unexpectedly. Before experiencing cardiac arrest, some victims exhibit certain symptoms such as shortness of breath, dizziness, feelings of near fainting, unexplained wheezing, irregular heart beats, palpitations and chest discomfort/chest pain. Sudden cardiac arrest occurs when the electrical systems of the heart malfunction as a result of underlying factors. It could occur from ventricular fibrillation, ventricular tachycardia and bradycardia.
Ventricular fibrillation- is the most severe of all, instead of contracting to pump blood, the ventricles quiver or fibrillate. This condition is critical and requires emergency attention
Ventricular tachycardia- is a condition whereby the heartbeat is too fast with over 100 beats per minute, and this condition starts with the lower heart chambers.
Bradycardia- happens when the heart’s rhythm is extremely slow.
What are the Causes of Sudden Cardiac Arrest?
Sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) can occur due to various heart conditions and external factors. People who have experienced a heart attack face a higher risk within the first six months. Those with enlarged hearts or cardiomyopathy (thickening of the heart muscles) are also at risk, often due to hypertension or valve problems. Heart muscle disease and heart failure further increase the chances of SCA.
Certain heart disease medications can trigger sudden cardiac arrest, even when taken at recommended doses. Electrical abnormalities, such as long QT syndrome and Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome, may cause SCA in young individuals and children. In rare cases, congenital blood vessel abnormalities affecting the aorta and coronary artery can lead to SCA. Additionally, recreational drug use can trigger cardiac arrest even in otherwise healthy individuals.
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How does CPR keep the victim alive and save lives?
CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation) keeps a victim alive by maintaining circulation and oxygenation of vital organs when the heart stops beating. Chest compressions pump oxygenated blood to the brain and heart, preventing irreversible damage. When combined with an Automated External Defibrillator (AED), CPR significantly increases survival chances by restoring blood flow and potentially reviving the victim before emergency responders arrive.
What Are the Steps of CPR?
Performing CPR correctly can help save a life during cardiac arrest. Follow these essential steps to perform CPR:
Check responsiveness – Tap the victim and ask loudly, "Are you okay?"
Call for help – Dial emergency services (911) and get an AED if available.
Open the airway – Tilt the head back and lift the chin.
Check breathing – If the victim is not breathing normally, begin CPR.
Perform chest compressions – Push hard and fast in the center of the chest (30 compressions).
Provide rescue breaths – Give 2 breaths, ensuring the chest rises each time.
Repeat cycles of 30:2 until professional help arrives or the victim regains consciousness.
When Giving Compressions, How Should the First Aid Responder Position Their Body and Arms?
Proper body positioning is essential for effective chest compressions during CPR. Maintaining the correct posture ensures that compressions are deep and strong enough to circulate blood. Follow these steps for proper positioning:
Kneel beside the victim on a firm surface.
Place both hands, one on top of the other, in the center of the chest.
Keep your arms straight and position your shoulders directly above your hands.
Use your upper body weight to push down hard and fast (at least 2 inches deep at a rate of 100-120 compressions per minute).
What is the correct CPR procedure?
CPR follows a cycle of 30 chest compressions followed by 2 rescue breaths. If an AED is available, use it as soon as possible. Continue CPR until professional help arrives or the victim starts breathing normally.
When should a cardiac arrest victim be put into the recovery position?
A cardiac arrest victim should only be placed in the recovery position if:
They start breathing normally and regain consciousness.
You are sure they do not need CPR.
You need to clear their airway and prevent choking.
If the victim remains unresponsive and not breathing normally, continue CPR until emergency medical services arrive.
What does CPR do to the victim?
CPR helps circulate oxygenated blood to vital organs, especially the brain and heart. It buys time until medical professionals can provide advanced care, increasing the chances of survival and reducing the risk of permanent brain damage.
If CPR alone may not save the life of a victim of sudden cardiac arrest, what else is needed?
If CPR alone may not save the life of a victim of sudden cardiac arrest, use an AED. An or An Automated External Defibrillator is essential in cases of sudden cardiac arrest. CPR keeps blood flowing, but only an AED can restore a normal heart rhythm if the heart is in a shockable rhythm (e.g., ventricular fibrillation). Using an AED as soon as possible, along with CPR, greatly improves survival chances.
What Should You Do If the Victim Regains Consciousness?
If the victim regains consciousness after CPR, follow these steps to ensure their safety until emergency responders arrive:
Check their breathing – Ensure they are breathing normally and not gasping.
Place them in the recovery position – Roll them onto their side to keep their airway open and prevent choking.
Monitor their condition – Stay with them and watch for any changes in breathing or responsiveness.
Keep them calm and comfortable – Reassure the victim and keep them warm.
Be prepared to resume CPR – If they stop breathing again, begin CPR immediately.
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What are the Common Mistakes People Make When Giving CPR?
Here are the common mistakes people make when giving CPR:
1. Depth of Compressions:
In most cases, CPR is not as effective because the rescuer is not applying enough pressure on the victims chest. It is most likely that the rescuer is in fear of hurting the victim. The purpose of doing CPR is to provide an artificial heart beat and maintain blood circulation. Without applying enough pressure the intention for CPR is not achieved. The blood is not moving as it should and the victim isn’t receiving the necessary assistance.
2. The Number of Compressions
It is common for rescuers not to count the number of compressions they give to the victim per minute. The recommended number is 100. Too slow and too fast compressions are not effective in maintaining circulation.
3. Keeping the Arms Straight and Interlocking Fingers
The main reason why professionals recommend that arms remain straight and fingers interlocked is because that way the rescuer can apply the appropriate amount of pressure. When the fingers are not interlocked the pressure is not sufficient. Instead, it provide a feeling of massage.
4. Tilting the Head of the Victim Backwards
It is common for rescuers to resuscitate a victim without opening up their airway. The aim of keeping the victims head tilted is to prevent the airway from constricting and allow for air to go through to the lungs. When this is not done the process is not as effective as it should be.
5. Crossing of the Arms:
When giving CPR it is recommended that the arms remain straight. Some first aid responders hold the assumption that crossing their arms increases the amount of pressure. However, it reduces the amount of pressure and the rate of the compressions.
6. Not Calling Emergency Medical Services:
CPR alone cannot revive a victim of sudden cardiac arrest. The procedure works at keeping the victim alive as you wait for specialized help to take over or the AED to be availed. It is therefore important to get the assistance of specialists within the shortest time possible. High quality CPR can keep the victim alive for up to six hours. It is common for rescuers to get exhausted after offering continuous CPR for two hours. It is best that the chest compressions are continuous. If someone else is available, let them take over as that’s the only way to keep the victim alive. If the victim regains consciousness, they should also seek medical assessment and further treatment.
7. Overlooking the Safety Precautions:
The safety of the rescuer should always be a priority when offering first aid and CPR. Rescuers should not compromise on their safety as they attempt to save lives. They should always assess the environment in which they are performing CPR and use of the appropriate personal protective equipment.
8. Safety Precautions in Offering CPR:
In some cases, it is risky to give mouth to mouth resuscitation. When the victim is in doubt about the health condition of the victim, it is best to give hands only CPR which entails 100 compressions per minute. Transmission of illnesses and diseases can occur from patient to victim and vice-versa. With the victim being unconscious, it is the responsibility of the rescuer to follow the recommended safety measures and ensure safety for both of them.
Conditions that can be transmitted through mouth to mouth resuscitation include COVID and tuberculosis among others. AHA provides guidelines for rescuers to follow when using personal protection:
Rescuers should treat all body fluids with suspicion as they could potentially expose them to the risk of contracting illnesses.
Rescuers should always make use of personal protective equipment (PPE). These include disposable gloves, face shields, goggles, gowns, eye gear, facial masks and other protective equipment.
Certain procedures apply in the removal and disposal of PPE. When finished with the rescue process, it is recommended that these items be disposed of in a bio hazardous bin.
Perform A Proper CPR Procedure
CPR procedure requires training. Various institutions offer CPR training alongside the use of the AED. Sudden cardiac arrest mostly occurs without warning. The victim suddenly becomes unresponsive and is not breathing properly.
The first step in CPR is to check if the victim is responsive by checking for signs of life. If the victim suddenly falls unconscious, check for breathing. With the COVID-19 pandemic, rescuers are advised to avoid risky procedures such as listening to the victim for breathing. In stead, it is recommended that you talk to the victim and check for other signs of breathing such as rising of the chest.
If you can’t tell whether or not the victim is breathing, start performing CPR. As you start on CPR, have someone call for help. If you are alone, take the least time possible by yelling out for assistance.
Let the victim lie on their back and kneel beside them. Locate the middle of the victim’s chest and place one hand and the other on top. Clasp the fingers and using the heel of your hands, press on hard. Keep your hands straight at the elbow and apply pressure 2 inches deep at the rate of 100 compressions per minute.
For a child, use one hand to apply pressure and push 2 inches. For infants, use only two fingers to apply pressure to a depth of 1.5 inches.
Each 30 compressions should alternate with two rescue breaths. To perform rescue breaths, slightly tilt the victims head, pinch on the nose and open the mouth. Breath into the victim’s mouth until the chest rises. If the victim’s chest doesn’t rise, it could be a case of choking. Repeat the cycle of the compressions and rescue breathing until the victim shows obvious signs of life, the emergency response team takes over, or the AED device is available and ready for use.
For infants, to perform mouth to mouth resuscitation cover the nose and mouth with your own and breath in with the volume of your cheeks until the chest rises.
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