CPR: Is it Ever Risky?
CPR is a powerful tool that saves lives, but because we’re first aiders and not doctors, it’s easy to worry about the potential side effects or complications.
Are there risks? You might have wondered: Can CPR be done on someone with a pacemaker?” or Can CPR cause brain damage? Can it even kill you if you do it wrong?
These are common concerns students ask in our Wollongong CPR Courses Let’s answer these questions so you can feel more confident and informed whether you’re already trained or considering a first aid course.
Can CPR Be Done on Someone with a Pacemaker?
Let’s start with the first question: Can CPR be done on someone with a pacemaker? This is a crucial question, especially given the growing number of people with pacemakers or other cardiac devices. The short answer is yes, CPR can and should be performed on someone with a pacemaker if they are unresponsive and not breathing. The presence of a pacemaker doesn’t change the basic principles of CPR.
A pacemaker is a small device implanted in the chest to help control abnormal heart rhythms. It sends electrical impulses to the heart to ensure it beats regularly. However, in situations where a person’s heart stops or they stop breathing, CPR is necessary to keep blood flowing to the brain and vital organs until emergency medical help arrives.
How to Perform CPR on Someone with a Pacemaker
When performing CPR on someone with a pacemaker, you should follow the same steps as you would on anyone else. Place your hands in the center of the chest and begin chest compressions at a rate of 100 to 120 compressions per minute. The pacemaker is usually located below the collarbone on the left side of the chest, but this shouldn’t alter the location where you place your hands for compressions.
One concern people often have is whether the pacemaker could be damaged during CPR. While it’s possible that the force of chest compressions could cause some damage to the pacemaker, this is a minor concern compared to the immediate need to restore circulation. The priority is to save the person’s life, and performing CPR is the best way to do that.
Chances are if a person needs CPR their pacemaker is not working properly
Additionally, automated external defibrillators (AEDs), which are often used in conjunction with CPR, are also safe to use on someone with a pacemaker. AEDs are designed to detect whether a shock is necessary and will guide you through the process, ensuring that the person receives the correct treatment.
Can CPR Cause Brain Damage?
Moving on to another critical question: Can CPR cause brain damage? This concern arises because CPR involves physically pumping the heart, which might raise worries about potential harm, especially if performed incorrectly. However, it’s important to understand that CPR is actually designed to prevent brain damage.
CPR Helps Prevent Brain Damage, not cause it
When someone’s heart stops beating, the brain is deprived of oxygen-rich blood. Brain cells begin to die within minutes without this essential supply. CPR helps to circulate oxygenated blood, keeping the brain and other vital organs alive until more advanced medical care can be provided.
Without CPR, brain damage can start within 4 to 6 minutes, leading to irreversible damage or death within 10 minutes. By performing CPR, you’re essentially buying time, keeping blood flowing and oxygen circulating until professional help arrives.
Still, CPR doesn’t guarantee a perfect outcome. In some cases, if CPR is delayed or if the person has been without oxygen for too long, there may be some degree of brain damage.
However, this is not caused by the CPR process but rather by the medical emergency they’ve had.
The quicker CPR is started, the better the chances of preventing brain damage. This is why it’s so important for as many people as possible to be trained in CPR and feel confident in using it during emergencies.
Here in Wollongong, our courses are designed to give you the practical skills you need to act quickly and effectively, ensuring the best possible outcome for someone in distress.
Can CPR Kill You?
The third and perhaps most concerning question: Can CPR kill you? This question often stems from the fear that the physical force of CPR could cause more harm than good, especially in frail or elderly individuals.
CPR involves applying firm pressure to the chest, which can sometimes result in injuries such as broken ribs or a bruised chest. While these injuries sound serious, they are generally not life-threatening and are considered an acceptable risk compared to the alternative of not performing CPR.
The truth is, while CPR is physically intense and can cause injury, it is unlikely to kill someone. On the contrary, it’s the best chance of survival for someone in cardiac arrest.
Injuries vs. Life-Saving Outcomes
When we talk about the potential injuries from CPR, it’s important to put things in perspective. The primary goal of CPR is to save a life. Without it, the chances of survival are slim. Yes, broken ribs and other injuries can occur, but these are treatable and far less severe than the consequences of not receiving CPR.
Another key point is that CPR is most often performed when someone is already clinically dead or very close to it—meaning their heart has stopped, and they are not breathing. In such situations, the choice is between attempting to save the person’s life with CPR or doing nothing. The risk of injury is outweighed by the potential to revive the person and keep them alive until more advanced care is available.
Get Trained Today
If you’re in Wollongong, our CPR courses at Accidental Health and Safety are a great way to get the training you need. We focus on providing practical, hands-on experience that prepares you for real-life situations, ensuring that you can perform CPR safely and effectively when it matters most!
So, don’t let fear or uncertainty hold you back. Enroll in a CPR course today and be ready to make a difference in an emergency. Your actions could be the difference between life and death—and that’s a responsibility worth preparing for.
Hey there! I’ve been a first aider since 2012, eventually becoming a first aid trainer and writer. When I’m not writing first aid articles you can find me birding and listening to jangle pop.
