Are you a beginner looking to learn CPR?
Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) is a life-saving technique. It can make a critical difference in a cardiac arrest emergency.
However, performing CPR correctly is crucial to ensure the best chance of survival for the victim. Unfortunately, beginners often make certain common errors while attempting CPR.
In this article, we will discuss six of these common beginner CPR errors and provide guidance on how to avoid them.
- Not Pressing Hard Enough
One common mistake is not providing deep enough chest compressions. To ensure effective compressions, place the heel of your hand on the victim’s breastbone and apply enough pressure.
Compressions should be at least two inches deep. This allows the chest to fully recoil between each compression.
- Wrong Compression Rate
Another error is performing compressions too slowly or too quickly. The ideal CPR compression rate is around 100 to 120 compressions per minute. To maintain the correct rate, you can count aloud or use the rhythm of the song “Stayin’ Alive” by the Bee Gees as a guide.
- Forgetting to Open the Airway
Opening the victim’s airway is essential for proper CPR. Tilt their head back and lift the chin to ensure a clear airway for effective rescue breaths. Remember to check for any obstructions and maintain proper head and neck alignment.
- Inadequate Rescue Breaths
Rescue breaths deliver oxygen to the victim’s lungs. Many beginners fail to create a proper seal around the victim’s mouth or nose. This results in inadequate breaths.
To avoid this, seal your mouth properly and deliver two full breaths. This ensures you see the chest rise.
- Stopping Compressions During Breaths
It is crucial to maintain a continuous cycle of compressions and breaths with minimal interruptions. Some beginners make the mistake of stopping compressions while delivering rescue breaths. Remember to keep the cycle going to ensure consistent blood flow and oxygenation to vital organs.
- Not Following the 30:2 Ratio
Beginners may struggle with the recommended compression-to-breath ratio of 30:2. This ratio involves 30 chest compressions followed by two rescue breaths.
Consistency in maintaining this ratio is vital for optimal blood circulation and oxygenation. If you’re alone, call emergency services before starting CPR.
To improve your CPR skills, consider taking a CPR training class that includes bloodborne pathogens certification. You can get this from organizations like the American Heart Association or the Red Cross. These courses equip you with the necessary skills how to perform CPR while ensuring your safety when dealing with potentially infectious materials.
Avoid These Common Beginner CPR Errors
CPR is a basic skill everyone should know. Common beginner errors can greatly decrease the effectiveness of CPR.
Always put safety first when performing CPR. Stay up to date on any changing guidelines by getting Best CPR courses in Ottawa Ontario, and ensure you practice proper technique.
Taking a CPR class to review the basics can help you make sure that you are properly prepared in the case of an emergency. For more information on how to avoid common beginner CPR errors, reach out to a certified instructor!
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