WHY CPR MAY FAIL

Are you trained in CPR? If not, you should be. It's a simple skill that can save a life. But even if you're certified in CPR, there are some reasons why it may not be successful.

1. The Person May Not Be in Cardiac Arrest

CPR is only effective if the person is in cardiac arrest. This means that their heart has stopped beating. If the person is simply unconscious, CPR will not help. Other conditions include stroke, seizure, or a drug overdose.

2. CPR May Be Started Too Late

CPR must be started within a few minutes of the person going into cardiac arrest. If it's started too late, the person may have already died.

3. The CPR May Not Be Done Correctly

CPR must be done correctly in order to be effective. If it's not done correctly, it can actually do more harm than good. For example, if the chest compressions are not done deep enough, they will not be effective. If the rescue breaths are not given properly, they can cause the person to vomit.

4.

The Person May Have a Medical Condition That Makes CPR Ineffective

Some medical conditions can make CPR ineffective. For example, if the person has a severe head injury, CPR may not be able to restart their heart. If the person has a severe lung injury, CPR may not be able to get oxygen into their lungs.

5.

The Person May Be Too Far Gone

CPR can only save a life if the person is not too far gone. If the person has been without oxygen for too long, CPR will not be able to revive them.

Conclusion

CPR is a life-saving skill, but it's not always successful. Keep in mind that it is only one part of a chain of survival. Other parts include early recognition of cardiac arrest, calling 911 immediately, and providing defibrillation if necessary.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What are the signs of cardiac arrest?

The signs of cardiac arrest include:

• Unconsciousness
• No breathing
• No pulse

2. How do I start CPR?

To start CPR, follow these steps:

• Check for responsiveness. Shake the person and shout, "Are you okay?"
• Call 911.
• Start chest compressions. Place the heel of one hand on the person's sternum, between the nipples. Place your other hand on top of the first hand, interlacing your fingers. Push hard and fast, at a rate of 100 to 120 compressions per minute. Allow the chest to recoil between compressions.
• Give rescue breaths. Pinch the person's nose and cover their mouth with your mouth. Give two rescue breaths, each lasting about one second.
• Continue CPR until help arrives.

3. How long should I do CPR?

You should do CPR until help arrives, or until the person starts breathing and has a pulse.

4. What if I’m not trained in CPR?

If you’re not trained in CPR, you can still help by calling 911 and following the dispatcher’s instructions.

5. Where can I learn CPR?

You can learn CPR from a variety of sources, including:

• The American Heart Association
• The American Red Cross
• Your local fire department
• Your local hospital