Imagine: you’re at the grocery store and suddenly, the stranger next to you drops to the floor and doesn’t appear to be breathing. A million thoughts run through your mind. You are CPR/AED certified and know how you are supposed to respond, but this is real life. Fear immediately takes over: could CPR hurt this stranger even more? What if they regain consciousness and are angry with you? Could starting CPR actually lead to a whole new set of problems for you?
Can you picture yourself in this situation? If so, you’re not alone. Fear of performing CPR is common for a variety of reasons, despite its proven effectiveness in saving lives. According to the American Heart Association, CPR has the ability to double or triple a victim’s chance of survival[1], which means it’s incredibly important that citizens feel comfortable and confident stepping in to help save a life!
Take a look at three reasons why you shouldn’t fear performing CPR when the time comes:
1. Bone breaks heal, sudden cardiac death doesn’t!
You’ve probably heard that performing CPR can lead to broken or cracked ribs and other similar injuries in the victim. It’s true that CPR compressions need to be hard and fast, which can indeed lead to broken bones. What’s important to remember is that a broken bone can be mended and treated, while death from sudden cardiac arrest is permanent. It is always better to provide immediate care and give a sudden cardiac arrest victim a chance at life rather than stay away for fear of causing minor damage. Every second counts when it comes to sudden cardiac arrest!
2. You’re protected by law.
It’s normal to fear possible ramifications if the person you are performing CPR on is unhappy about it for any reason. The good news is, most states protect citizens acting in good faith during these situations through a Good Samaritan Act or Law. In the state of Texas, the Good Samaritan Law states: “A person who in good faith administers emergency care is not liable in civil damages for an act performed during the emergency unless the act is willfully or wantonly negligent.”[2] While certain rules and parameters apply for each state, these laws are in place to protect the everyday heroes who step in to save lives and encourage citizens not to fear helping someone in danger. We all have the ability to be a hero for a victim of sudden cardiac arrest, and the law acknowledges this!
3. A few simple steps can make all the difference!
It’s true that AEDs are incredibly powerful in their ability to shock hearts back into rhythm in the case of sudden cardiac arrest, but we know the sad reality is that many public locations are still without AEDs. If you find yourself in a life-threatening situation where an AED is not present and skills you learned during CPR training are not fresh in your mind, hands-only CPR is a simple yet effective option to help keep a victim alive until further help arrives. Simply calling 911 and beginning chest compressions can be the difference between life and death, so you should never feel helpless due to a lack of equipment or training!
Finding yourself in a situation where you need to help someone in danger can be frightening. At Living for Zachary, we believe in the power of CPR/AED training to help citizens obtain the skills and confidence they need to make a difference in the moments where every second counts. Check out our Events Page for upcoming CPR/AED classes and grab a spot so you can become a Heart Hero too!