Have you ever wondered what might happen if you perform CPR incorrectly? It’s a common concern, especially if it’s your first time performing CPR, and you might be the only one available to help in a crisis. Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation(CPR) is a powerful, lifesaving tool, but like any emergency technique, doing it incorrectly can reduce its effectiveness and potentially cause injuries.
That said, taking action is almost always better than doing nothing. Even hands-only CPR, combined with calling emergency services, can significantly increase a person’s chances of survival. Awareness of the potential risks of incorrect CPR can help you avoid common mistakes, act more confidently, and respond more safely.
In this article, we’ll explore the potential risks of improper CPR, strategies to avoid common mistakes, and the laws that protect the rescuer.
What are the Risks and Consequences of Improper CPR?
While performing CPR is better than doing nothing, it’s important to understand that doing it incorrectly can lead to complications. These risks don’t mean you should hesitate or avoid helping; rather, they highlight the importance of being prepared to help safely and effectively.
A clear understanding of what can go wrong helps you stay calm, avoid common mistakes, and provide CPR more safely and effectively.
Here are some of the most common risks and consequences of improper CPR:
1. Reduced Chance of Survival
If CPR is done the wrong way, like pressing too lightly or too slowly, it might not push enough blood to the brain and other vital organs such as the liver and kidneys. High-quality chest compressions are essential to maintain circulation and oxygen delivery during cardiac arrest and other emergencies.
With poor chest compression, the organs might not receive enough oxygen-rich blood, which severely reduces the person’s chances of survival and recovery. Even though incorrect CPR is not ideal, it can still help more than doing nothing at all.
2. Rib and Sternum Fractures
When doing CPR, pressing too hard or in the wrong spot can sometimes break ribs or the breastbone. This happens more in people with weak bones, like children and older adults. Broken ribs can hurt, but they usually don’t cause serious problems. The most important thing is to keep blood flowing and save the person’s life.
Fractured ribs and sternum pose a small risk compared to the critical importance of reviving a life. Medical professionals can treat these injuries after emergency care, so focus first on delivering effective compressions.
Also read: Does CPR Break Ribs?
3. Internal Injuries
Incorrect CPR, such as pressing too deeply or placing your hands in the wrong spot, can cause damage to organs inside the chest or abdomen, like the lungs, liver, or spleen. These injuries are rare but can be serious. Using the right hand position and the correct amount of force during chest compressions is important to reduce the risk of internal injuries.
Emergency responders should remember that the chance of internal injury is low compared to the potential to save a life. Prompt and effective CPR remains the best action in an emergency, with medical professionals available to address any complications.
4. Aspiration
During CPR, if you provide rescue breaths incorrectly, the person might vomit, and they can inhale it without knowing, which can cause aspiration. This is dangerous because it can lead to lung infections or breathing problems. To reduce this risk, it’s important to give breaths carefully or use hands-only CPR if you’re untrained.
According to the American Heart Association(AHA), hands-only CPR can simplify the process and still greatly improve survival chances, so you should perform hands-only CPR even if you are untrained. And aspiration can be managed once the medical help arrives.
5. Pneumothorax
If the broken ribs or the breastbone injure the lungs, it can cause air to leak into the space around the lungs, which causes the lung to collapse. Pneumothorax causes hard to breathe and chest pain. It is rare but causes serious problems and needs immediate medical treatment.
Careful hand placement and controlled force during compressions help minimize the risk of lung injury. Staying focused on proper technique improves safety while maximizing the chance to save a life.
6. Abdominal Distension
With improper rescue breaths, the air can go to the stomach instead of the lungs, which causes the stomach to swell. This is called abdominal distension. To avoid abdominal distension, the rescuer should give gentle breaths, and the untrained bystander should perform hands-only CPR.
The trained rescuer can provide proper breaths, which helps prevent discomfort and complications during CPR. Remember, maintaining effective chest compressions remains the top priority compared to rescue breaths in an emergency.
What’s the Right Solution to Avoid Common CPR Mistakes?
Most CPR mistakes happen because of fear, lack of training, or panic in an emergency. The good news is that these problems can be avoided with some basic knowledge and preparation. By learning the right steps and staying calm, you can give safe and effective CPR when it matters most.
Here are some simple ways to reduce the risks and improve your chances of helping someone survive:
1. Take a Certified CPR Course
One of the most important steps to avoid common CPR mistakes is to take a certified CPR course. Training teaches you everything from correct hand placement and compression depth to how to perform rescue breathing if necessary. More importantly, they ensure you’re aware of the latest guidelines, which can evolve.
2. Practice Regularly on Training Manikins
Even after taking a CPR course, regular practice on training manikins is essential. These manikins mimic the human chest, helping you develop muscle memory for correct compression depth and rhythm, which is crucial for maintaining blood flow during cardiac arrest. Practicing helps you feel confident and ensures your actions become instinctive in an emergency.
3. Minimize Interruptions
During CPR, it’s important to minimize interruptions in chest compressions. Aim for 100–120 compressions per minute at a depth of at least 2 inches. If you’re untrained, use hands-only CPR—just chest compressions without rescue breaths. While brief pauses may be needed, keep them as short as possible. Continuous compressions help to achieve high chest compression and help maintain blood flow to the brain and vital organs until EMS arrives or someone more trained takes over.
4. Stay Calm and Confident
In an emergency, staying calm and confident is key to performing effective CPR. Panic can lead to hesitation or mistakes, while calmness helps you focus on what you’ve learned. If you feel overwhelmed, take it step by step: check responsiveness, call for help, and begin compressions.
Legal Protections for Performing CPR
Many people hesitate to perform CPR out of fear that they might cause harm or face legal consequences. However, most regions have Good Samaritan laws that are designed to protect individuals who step in to help during emergencies.
These laws protect you from legal liability as long as you provide aid voluntarily, in good faith, and without gross negligence. In the case of CPR, this means you won’t be held legally responsible if you unintentionally cause an injury, such as a broken rib, or if the person doesn’t survive, as long as you intended to help and you acted within your ability and training.
The purpose of Good Samaritan laws is to encourage bystanders to take action without fear, knowing that trying to help is almost always better than doing nothing at all.
Conclusion
While performing CPR incorrectly can carry some risks, taking action is almost always better than doing nothing in an emergency. Emergency responders should understand the common mistakes and legal protections, like Good Samaritan laws, that help boost confidence and respond more effectively. It is also important to stay calm and use proper technique to improve a person’s chance of survival.
The best way to prepare is through proper training. Heart Start CPR, an AHA-authorized training center, offers ACLS, PALS, and BLS courses. Our expert instructors use real-life scenarios to help you gain the skills and confidence needed in critical moments.
We offer classes throughout the San Francisco Bay Area and in Reno, Nevada. Take the first step, enroll in a Heart Start CPR class today, and be ready to make a difference.
