Chapter 5

CPR Precautions, Complications,

and Special Situations
 CPR Performance Mistakes
• Rescue breathing mistakes
– Failing to ensure adequate head tilt-chin lift
– Failing to pinch the nose shut
– Failing to give slow breaths
– Providing breaths that are too fast or too forceful
– Failing to watch the person’s chest rise and fall
– Failing to maintain a tight seal around the mouth or
barrier device
 CPR Performance Mistakes
• Chest compression mistakes
– Pivoting at knees instead of hips
– Using wrong compression site
– Bending elbows
– Failing to place shoulders above the sternum
– Touching your fingers to the chest
– Providing quick, stabbing compressions
– Failing to allow the chest to fully recoil
– Failing to keep your hands in contact with the chest
 Precautions During Training
• Practice the following on a manikin:
– Mouth-to-mouth resuscitation
– Chest compressions
– Abdominal or chest thrusts
• Wash your hands before and after class.
• Clean the manikin before using it.
• Do not put anything in your mouth when using a
manikin.
 Disease Precautions During
CPR Training
• DO NOT use a manikin if you have the following:
– Sores on the hands, lips, or face
– An upper respiratory infection
– Hepatitis infection
– HIV or AIDS infection
– An infection or recent exposure to an infectious source
• Clean the manikin between use.
 Disease Precautions During
Actual CPR
• Use a mouth-to-
barrier device.
• If you refuse to give
rescue breaths, active
EMS and give chest
compressions until
another provider
arrives.
 Dangerous Complications
• Dangerous complications include:
– Vomiting
– Stomach distention
– Inhalation of foreign substances
– Chest compression-related injuries
– Dentures, loose or broken teeth, or dental appliances
 Special Resuscitation Situations:
Stroke
• Call 9-1-1.
• Monitor breathing; if not breathing, begin CPR.
• Loosen tight or constricting clothing.
• Be prepared to turn the person onto his or her side.
• If the person is unresponsive but breathing, place
the person on his or her side.
 Special Resuscitation Situations:
Hypothermia
• DO NOT start CPR in the following situations:
– The person has been submerged in cold water for more
than 1 hour.
– The person has obvious fatal injuries.
– The person is frozen.
– The person’s chest is stiff or compressions are not
possible.
– Rescuers are exhausted or in danger.
 Special Resuscitation Situations:
Person in an Avalanche
• If the person is unresponsive and not breathing,
begin CPR.
• Use an AED as soon as available.
• DO NOT attempt resuscitation in a person buried for
35 minutes or longer with an airway obstructed by
snow or ice.
 Special Resuscitation Situations:
Drowning Person
• Give CPR as soon as an unresponsive person is
removed from the water.
– Rescue breathing can begin in shallow water.
• If vomiting occurs during CPR, turn the person onto
his or her side.
• Stop CPR after 30 minutes unless the person is
hypothermic.
 Special Resuscitation Situations:
Person Struck by Lightning
• When multiple people are struck at the same time,
rescuers should give highest priority to people who
are unresponsive and not breathing.
• Use an AED as soon as available.