Let's Get Confident with CPR
Learn CPR so you’re ready to step in and save a life when it matters most.
CPR is one of the most important skills you can have in an emergency, but even with the best intentions, mistakes can happen. Whether you’re performing CPR for the first time or brushing up on your skills, knowing the common mistakes to avoid—and the dos and don’ts—can make all the difference.
Let’s break down the top CPR mistakes and the dos and don’ts you need to keep in mind when every second counts.
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Table of Contents
Avoid These CPR Mistakes
Mistakes can happen when you’re under pressure, but knowing what to avoid can help you stay focused and effective.
1. Hesitating to Start CPR
One of the biggest mistakes is waiting too long to act. If someone isn’t breathing normally and is unresponsive, every second matters.
When you hesitate, precious seconds slip away, reducing the likelihood of a positive outcome. Many people pause because they’re unsure about the correct technique or worry about hurting the person. However, the risks of not starting CPR quickly are far greater than any potential mistake in technique. Your main goal is to keep oxygenated blood flowing to the brain and vital organs until professional help arrives.
What to Do:
- Start compressions immediately. Don’t waste time trying to second-guess whether you’re doing it perfectly—it’s better to act than to hesitate.
2. Placing Your Hands Incorrectly
Poor hand placement can make compressions less effective and even cause unnecessary injuries.
Incorrect hand placement often leads to ineffective compressions and can risk fracturing ribs or injuring internal organs. The safest and most effective position is right in the center of the chest on the lower half of the breastbone. Proper placement ensures you’re directly over the heart, providing the best chance of circulating blood effectively.
Dos:
- Place your hands in the center of the chest, on the lower half of the breastbone.
- Keep your fingers off the chest, pressing down with the heel of your hand.
Don’ts:
- Don’t press too high or on the ribs—it reduces the effectiveness of compressions.
3. Not Pressing Hard Enough
Shallow compressions won’t pump enough blood to the brain and vital organs.
Applying insufficient pressure during compressions is a common issue, especially for new rescuers who worry about causing harm. However, pressing too lightly fails to generate adequate blood flow. Using your upper body weight—not just your arm strength—helps maintain the recommended depth and reduces your own fatigue, allowing you to deliver more consistent and effective compressions.
Dos:
- Push at least 5 cm (2 inches) deep for adults.
- Use your upper body weight to apply enough pressure.
Don’ts:
- Don’t rely on just your arms—this can lead to fatigue and shallow compressions.
4. Skipping Chest Recoil
If you don’t let the chest fully rise between compressions, the heart won’t refill with blood.
Allowing full chest recoil is essential because the heart needs time to refill with blood before the next compression. If you’re leaning on the chest, you’re not giving the heart the opportunity to draw in blood effectively. This step is often overlooked when rescuers are focused on speed. A slight pause between compressions, just enough for the chest to rise, can significantly improve blood flow.
Dos:
- Let the chest return to its normal position after every compression.
- Lift your hands slightly after each push to allow full recoil.
Don’ts:
- Don’t lean on the chest or press too quickly without allowing recoil.
5. Pausing Compressions Too Often
Frequent pauses interrupt blood flow, lowering the chances of survival.
Each time you pause compressions, blood pressure in the body drops sharply, decreasing the oxygen supply to vital organs. Constant interruptions mean you have to “restart” the circulation process, which wastes valuable time. Minimizing pauses, even during tasks like switching rescuers or applying an AED, keeps the momentum going and improves the likelihood of successful resuscitation.
Dos:
- Keep compressions going as much as possible, even when using an AED or giving breaths.
- Aim to limit pauses to 10 seconds or less.
Don’ts:
- Don’t stop unless absolutely necessary—like switching rescuers or applying an AED.
6. Giving Rescue Breaths Incorrectly
Blowing too hard or too fast can force air into the stomach instead of the lungs.
Improper rescue breaths can lead to complications such as gastric inflation, which increases the risk of regurgitation and aspiration. By controlling the speed and pressure of your breath, you ensure that air goes into the lungs rather than the stomach. If you see the chest rising, you’re doing it right. Always remember to maintain a good seal around the mouth and nose.
Dos:
- Tilt the head back, pinch the nose, and blow gently until you see the chest rise.
- Use a CPR face shield for hygiene and ease.
Don’ts:
- Don’t skip rescue breaths entirely unless you’re unable or unwilling to give them.
7. Ignoring the AED
The Automated External Defibrillator (AED) is your guide—ignoring its instructions can lead to mistakes.
Modern AEDs are designed to walk you through every step of defibrillation and CPR, so neglecting it or trying to second-guess its prompts is dangerous. By turning on the AED as soon as it’s available and following the audio and visual instructions, you’ll optimize the chances of restoring a normal heart rhythm. Always trust the device—you don’t need specialized training to use it effectively.
Dos:
- Turn on the AED as soon as it’s available.
- Follow the prompts exactly—it’ll tell you when to shock and when to resume CPR.
Don’ts:
- Don’t try to guess or rush ahead of the AED.
8. Compressing Too Fast or Too Slow
The ideal compression rate is 100–120 beats per minute.
When compressions are too fast, you’re not allowing enough time for chest recoil and full blood flow. Too slow, and you’re not maintaining adequate circulation. Practicing to the rhythm of a familiar song like “Stayin’ Alive” helps you keep the correct tempo, ensuring a balance between depth, recoil, and speed. Over time, muscle memory will help you naturally maintain the right pace.
Dos:
- Match your rhythm to “Stayin’ Alive” by the Bee Gees—it’s surprisingly perfect for CPR.
Don’ts:
- Don’t go too fast—it reduces chest recoil and makes compressions less effective.
CPR Dos and Don’ts
Here’s a quick recap of the essential dos and don’ts to keep in mind:
CPR Dos:
- Start CPR immediately if someone isn’t breathing normally.
- Push hard and fast with proper hand placement.
- Follow AED prompts without hesitation.
- Allow full chest recoil after each compression.
- Deliver rescue breaths gently and steadily.
CPR Don’ts:
- Don’t delay compressions to check for a pulse.
- Don’t stop compressions unnecessarily.
- Don’t blow too hard or too fast when giving breaths.
- Don’t overthink it—focus on taking action.
Train to Avoid CPR Mistakes
The best way to avoid mistakes during CPR is through regular training. At CPR Course Brisbane, we teach you how to perform CPR correctly and confidently, emphasizing the dos and don’ts that can save lives.
Sign up today to master these life-saving techniques. Because when it comes to CPR, knowing what to do—and what not to do—can make all the difference.
