CPR F.A.Q.'S

• What should I do if I'm alone and I do not know CPR?
  If you are alone and don't know how to do CPR, call 911 and ask the emergency dispatcher to give you instructions over the phone.
• I heard that no matter if a person is unconscious that you should perform CPR.  Is this true?  When should you not perform CPR?
  It is true that sometimes a person may be unconscious and their heart is still beating and they may still be breathing.  Such a situation, for example, may occur in someone who has just had a grand mal seizure.  If you tried to do CPR on such a person, he or she would probably groan and even try to push you away.  This would be your clue that they did not need CPR.  CPR is intended only for someone whose heart and breathing has stopped.  If the victim moves or pushes you away, you should stop CPR.
• Can I kill someone if I do CPR incorrectly?
  No. Remember the person in cardiac arrest is already clinically dead.  CPR can only help.  Even if it's not done "letter perfect" it will probably provide some benefit to the victim.
• Can I get sued if I perform CPR?
  You theoretically could, but there has never been a successful suit brought against someone performing CPR.
• Does the Good Samaritan law protect me?
  Yes, if you give assistance, including CPR, for a medical emergency, Good Samaritan laws cover you.
• What if I crack a rib when I do CPR?
  Frequently, ribs are broken with the pressure CPR places on the sternum.  Some studies quote up to 30% of cardiac arrest victims have broken ribs as a result of CPR.  This happens more frequently the older the victim since the cartilage is less compliant and the bones more easily crackable.  But remember, it's better to have a cracked rib then be dead.
• Is it easier to break an overweight person's ribs or a skinner person's ribs when performing CPR?
  The weight of the victim has little to do with the chances of breaking a rib, instead the age of the victim seems to determine the fragility of the bones.
• What if the victim is wearing dentures?
  Keep them in place, if possible, as they will allow for a better seal of your mouth on his/hers.
• How do I perform CPR on a person who has a trachea?  Do I have to cover their mouth or just breathe directly into the stoma?
  There are two types of stomas, one which communicates to the nose and mouth and one which doesn't.  Since you won't know which type you are dealing with, it is best to pinch the victim's nose closed, keep the victim's mouth closed and breath directly into the stoma opening.
• What if the victim has a pulse, but is not breathing?
  Then continue with mouth-to-mouth respiration and continue to check the pulse every minute or so.
• When should I stop CPR?
  When help arrives to take over, or the victim starts to move.
• What are agonal respirations?
  When the heart stops beating in cardiac arrest, the breathing center in the brain is still alive for a couple of minutes and will cause the victim to take a few abnormal breaths.  These abnormal breaths associated in dying are called agonal respirations.  They may appear like snoring, gasping, or snorting and will disappear in a couple of minutes.  Don't let abnormal breathing stop you from starting CPR.
• What is the recovery position?
  Assuming the person has a pulse and is breathing, the recovery position means placing the person on his/her side.  This allows for the person not to choke on saliva and helps keep the airway open.
• Is it true that if a victim "regains" a pulse after doing CPR he/she  probably had a pulse all along?
  You are partially correct.  The most common cause of cardiac arrest is VF (ventricular fibrillation, quivering rhythm heartbeat) and this cannot be converted with CPR alone.  Electricity is required.  However, there are some instances when the heart is going very slowly and CPR can oxygenate the system enough to get the heart going again.  Also, there are instances when the person is really in respiratory arrest and the heartbeat is too faint to feel.  In this situation, CPR may be enough to get the heart beating stronger.