Can Anyone Perform CPR?

Jul 30, 2018

Immediate CPR triples the chances of surviving sudden cardiac arrest, yet only 32% of SCA victims receive bystander CPR.

Many people I’ve spoken to assume that if they are not medically-trained, they are not allowed or unable to perform CPR. I hope that if I suddenly collapsed, my family members would step in and try to save my life, but unfortunately most individuals feel helpless in an emergency situation for a variety of reasons.

The two biggest reasons lay persons give are 1) they do not know how to perform CPR or 2) they could do something “wrong” and be held liable for trying to give rescue assistance.

All 50 states have “Good Samaritan Laws” in place that were created for the purpose of protecting people who in good faith, voluntarily give reasonable aid such as CPR or the use of an AED, in an emergency situation where EMT rescuers are not yet available on the scene. These laws were designed to reduce this reluctance of persons to render aid for fear of being held liable in a civil suit. As long as the rescuer is not willfully negligent or reckless in giving aid, and gives aid in a reasonable manner, then the rescuer will not be held legally liable for the outcome.

In 2008, the AHA introduced “Hands-Only CPR” as a way of teaching the public how to perform basic CPR to save a life. Many people are fearful of performing conventional CPR (with rescue breaths) to a stranger or that there are too many steps, however the “Hands-Only” method only requires two simple steps:

1. Call 911
2. Hard and fast compressions on the center of the chest (to the beat of “Stayin’ Alive”)

Hands-Only CPR is intended for anyone who witnesses a teen or adult suddenly collapse. Without CPR, brain damage occurs within minutes of the brain being deprived of oxygen and after 10 minutes without CPR or a shock from a defibrillator, there is very little chance of survival. Following a collapse, there is enough oxygen in the blood to pump through the body and give vital oxygen to the brain IF CPR is performed immediately.

Do not be afraid to step in and perform Hands-Only CPR, your actions can only increase their chances of surviving.