Everyone should learn the invaluable life-saving skills taught in a CPR course. CPR training allows you to step in and save a life when it matters most. In addition, learning the proper CPR techniques will give you the confidence to act quickly, calmly, and efficiently.
CPR Facts
- There are more than 350,000 out-of-hospital cardiac arrests annually in the United States.
- The latest data reports that only about 12% of these victims survive.
- When a victim receives CPR, their chances of survival double or even triple if they receive it within the first several minutes.
- Immediate action is critical as brain damage occurs within four minutes of the victim collapsing, and death occurs within 10 minutes.
What is Cardiac Arrest?
Cardiac arrest is not the same as a heart attack. During a cardiac arrest, the heart stops pumping oxygenated blood to the brain and organs. Instead, CPR manually pumps the heart, allowing blood to continue flowing and providing the brain and organs with the oxygen they need to keep the victim alive until emergency medical assistance arrives and can take over and restart the heart.
Common CPR Mistakes
When learning CPR, course participants must pay close attention and take their certification program seriously so they can get the most benefit from their training and learn the skills they need to save lives. Maximize your learning and get the best value for your course by avoiding these mistakes that people make when learning and performing CPR:
1. Forgetting to call 911
As soon as a victim collapses, your first action should be to call 911. If you are alone, contact 911 immediately and begin chest compressions while you are on the phone, if possible. If there are two rescuers, one person can call for help while the other starts CPR. Remember that every second counts in giving the victim the best chance of survival, so take this action immediately.
2. Not asking questions during training
There is no such thing as a wrong question during CPR training. When working through the course materials, it is your best opportunity to ask your instructor if you have questions or review your materials for answers if you’re doing CPR training online.
3. Taking a course that doesn’t provide certification
If you are trying to learn CPR, it’s essential to take a course that offers an exam and official CPR certification. In addition, ensure that your CPR course provides you with certification that complies with all the current American Heart Association (AHA) and Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) guidelines for the most comprehensive, nationally-recognized training.
4. Worrying about hurting the victim
To be effective, the proper CPR technique involves compressing the chest at least two inches down at a rate of 100-120 compressions per minute. To do this, rescuers must use their body weight. While the force of CPR can fracture a victim’s ribs and cause other side effects, rescuers must focus on performing CPR despite the chance of hurting the victim. Failing to perform CPR will result in death, while injuries from chest compressions are treatable.
5. Failing to assess the situation before beginning CPR
Rescuers must evaluate the situation before they begin CPR. This ensures their safety and makes sure they know exactly what the victim needs. Assessing the situation involves checking the area to ensure it’s safe to begin CPR, checking the victim for signs of life, and either performing mouth-to-mouth if they are not breathing or turning their head to one side to prevent choking if they vomit.
Become Certified Today
Completing CPR training and earning your certification is a commendable thing to do, and it’s something that everyone should consider adding to their skill set and education, whether it’s for work or personal knowledge.
Online CPR training allows you to learn the life-saving techniques you need in a medical emergency while completing the course at your convenience, anytime, and from any location. In addition, our courses offer the most complete and up-to-date information because they were created and written by board-certified physicians and educators, so you can be sure that you’re receiving the highest-quality instruction.
So don’t delay learning CPR – check our CPR review questions guide or register for one of our CPR courses that will teach you the priceless skills you’ll need to save a life when it matters most.
