Misunderstandings

People have a lot of misunderstandings about resuscitation because of their lack of knowledge. Here we will talk about some of them, so we can debunk them together! 

1. After a resuscitation you end up like 'a plant'

One of the most common misunderstandings about resuscitation: Many people fear that if they are ever resuscitated after a cardiac arrest, there will be a high chance that they will have permanent brain damage. Research shows that this is rarely the case; no less than 90% of the victims who have been successfully resuscitated indicate that they are doing well again after a year. 

2. You can easily recognize a cardiac arrest

In films, we often see victims of cardiac arrest grabbing their hearts and falling to the ground. In practice it is often different, for example; a cardiac arrest may resemble an epileptic seizure, with limbs that have a  cramp and contract. It also happens that people seem to have fallen asleep and/or make snoring noises. Victims of a cardiac arrest also often remind us of a fish on dry land that gasps for breath. It is important that people with cardiac arrest are resuscitated as quickly as possible. Does someone collapse and show no or no normal breathing? Start CPR immediately.

3. You can harm someone by misusing an AED 

An AED always performs a heart analysis itself and measures whether there is a shockable heart rhythm; this is therefore not determined by the care provider. Only when the AED measures a shockable heart rhythm, it will deliver an electric shock. The shock can only be delivered to the victim to whom the electrodes are attached. As soon as these are removed, the AED discharges itself and no more shocks can be delivered. It is therefore not possible to deliver a shock if this is not necessary or if you risk harming someone by delivering a shock.

4. You can be sued for performing CPR

Some people are scared to perform CPR as they are concerned that they may hurt the person who needs treatment or that they will be sued for their actions. Although there is no 'Good Samaritan' law as of yet, there has never been a case of someone facing legal action for performing CPR to a victim.

5. Performing chest compressions can make a person's heart beat again

Performing chest compressions (and artificial respiration) alone is not enough to make someone's heart beat again! By performing breast compressions, blood is pumped through the body, transporting oxygen to the various organs. The function of the heart is temporarily taken over.

However, the only way to make a heart beat normally is by applying an electrical shock (using an AED). The faster an AED is deployed, the greater the chances of survival of the victim. 

6. A heart attack and cardiac arrest are the same thing

A cardiac arrest is not the same thing as a heart attack. They are different conditions and require different treatments. A heart attack happens when one of the coronary arteries becomes blocked. The heart muscle is robbed of its vital blood supply and, if left untreated, will begin to die because it is not getting enough oxygen.

A cardiac arrest is when a person's heart stops pumping blood around their body and they stop breathing normally. Many cardiac arrests of adults happen because of a heart attack. This is because their heart has developed an abnormal heart rhythm, which can lead to a cardiac arrest.

7. Don't perform CPR on a victim if you haven't been trained

The first three minutes after a cardiac arrest are the most important, therefore it is essential that a bystander performs CPR. Ambulance dispatches will always provide instructions on how to perform chest compressions over the phone (T-CPR).

8. It takes too long to learn CPR

During a short two hour course covering CPR and how to use a defibrillator, you get knowledge about the technique and also get a chance to simulate a heart attack on a simulating doll. These two hours are enough to get comfortable with the technique.

Fear of resuscitation

A big portion of the population is scared to perform CPR. Causes of this fear are very diverse.

1 Lack of knowledge:

Whether you are a medical professional or not: doing nothing is basically the only "wrong thing" you can do as a bystander while someone closeby is experiencing a heart failure. Call the emergency services and ask them on how to start the resuscitation! This is much better than doing nothing.

2 The fear of breaking a bone:

Chest compressions are physically demanding: you have to push the chest deep down (approximately 5 cm) to get the heart pumping. Sometimes ribs can break. Anyone would prefer a few broken ribs over death.  

3  Hesitation to perform CPR, because the resuscitation team is on their way:

Every minute counts! Heart Compressions, heart compressions and heart compressions! It can make the difference between life and death. Fast reaction also has a major influence on whether the person will make it or not.

4  Criticism from bystanders:

Feedback/criticism is not always given correctly, people will often address you on possible errors. It's up to you to stay focused on what you are doing and evaluate their feedback. It is also important not to take any criticism personally.

5  Fear being accused of sexual assault:

A study has found that women are less likely to receive CPR because men fear being accused of sexual assault. While these are actual fears the public holds, it is important to realise that CPR is lifesaving and should be given to collapsed individuals regardless of gender, race or ethnicity.

6 Fear to perform mouth-to-mouth ventilation, among others.

7 Call 112 (Europe) / 102 (Ukraine)

8 Fear of not being understood

In some countries - for example America - there are a lot different ethnicities, therefor this causes a possibility for people to not understand each other in these situations.

9 The cost of taken into a hospital without health insurance 

People that don't have any life / health insurance will have the instinct to say no to healthcare because they know it'll cost them a fortune. This could have a large toll on the chance to stay alive.

10 Fear of using a automated external defibrillator

People are scared of using this AED because that they lack knowledge. The AED will guide you through the process on how to use this device. Here are some tips:

- The device will tell you when the shock is gonna take place. This is the moment where everyone should step back and let the device give the proper shock. after this shock, the device will tell you to resume the resuscitation. 

- The device is made so every age can use it successfully. No knowledge about the device is needed.

- The pedals that have to be placed for the shock have a cartoon on them. This tells you where to place the exact pedal. 

- An AED is a intelligent monitor that can read heart rhythms and can detect if there is a shockable rhythm.

11 Fear of not finding an AED device

It's very important that someone always keeps the resuscitation going. If a bystander gets involved, it's key to ask him / her to go get an AED device. Finding an AED device could be done by installing an app called "Staying Alive". This app can be found in the Google Play Store.

Staying Alive provides defibrillator mapping and citizen responders management. The app is available in 18 languages and maps over 120.000 defibrillators worldwide. Staying Alive is an award winning free app designed and developed by AEDMAP.

Take a breath