Published By: Ishani Karmakar

Avoid These Mistakes While Giving CPR

Knowing how to do cardiopulmonary resuscitation is a crucial skill for everyone interested in first aid. The following are common errors that might be made during CPR that should be avoided.

Heart disease rates are rising as people across the globe are increasingly indulging in fast food and leading sedentary lifestyles. Consequently, it is vital that people understand how to conduct CPR or Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) appropriately, without making typical CPR blunders.

CPR, or cardiopulmonary resuscitation, is a lifesaving method used in cases of cardiac arrest. Learning CPR is a vital skill.

When performed properly, CPR is reported to boost a patient's chances of survival by a factor of two to three. Don't hesitate to begin CPR if the individual in front of you is unresponsive and not breathing and you can't detect a pulse.

There are 5 common errors that might be made during CPR:

Incorrect arm positioning It is imperative to ensure the patient is flat on their back before proceeding. Interlace your fingers and lay your hands palms down in the middle of your chest. The natural position of your shoulder is above the level of your hands.

The proper position for your hands and shoulders when performing chest compressions is at a right angle to the patient's chest. Don't bend at the waist; your arms should be completely straight. If you don't, you won't be able to compress with the right amount of force.

During chest-to-chest resuscitation, raise your bodyoff your patient Lift your full body off the patient in between consecutive compressions to let the chest relax back to its normal posture.

However, keep your hands pressed firmly on the patient's chest. The patient is not someone you want to jump on. Consistent and regulated compressions are desired.

Too quick or too slow compressions When you squeeze too quickly, blood can't reach the heart in time. However, the opposite is true if compressions are excessively sluggish and lead to a reduction in blood pressure. So, the oxygen supply to the tissues and cells is inadequate.

In a perfect world, you'd be able to achieve a compression rate of between 100 and 120 per minute.

Inadequate or excessive pressure Too little blood is pumped from the heart if chest compressions are too shallow. Rib and sternal fractures can occur if the body is compressed too deeply.

Compressions in adults should be 5-6 cm deep to be effective.