By Meghan McGowan
Read time: 4 mins.
Most people are familiar with CPR, and many have received training at some point in their lives. Studies show that CPR and automated external defibrillators (AEDs) can dramatically improve survival rates during cardiac arrest. Yet despite widespread awareness, fewer than 40% of victims receive bystander CPR, or CPR provided by a layperson before emergency professionals arrive.
So, what’s causing the gap between knowing and acting?
The most common reasons people hesitate to act often boil down to fear — fear of misreading the situation, causing harm, or facing consequences for well-intentioned actions. Dispelling these fears is vital if more lives are to be saved from cardiac arrest.
Dynarex offers a range of premium CPR supplies to help facilitate safe CPR.
The Heart-Stopping Truth About Cardiac Arrest
Every year in the United States, more than 350,00 cardiac arrests happen in locations other than hospitals. Of that number, 90% are fatal.
When someone’s heart stops, immediate CPR and AED use can drastically increase their chances of surviving. People who receive CPR within two minutes have an 81% greater chance of surviving compared to those who do not receive immediate CPR. Even in cases where CPR was delayed for up to 10 minutes, victims had a 19% higher survival rate than people who didn’t receive CPR at all. Either way, the moments count. Chances of survival decrease by 10% with every minute of delay.
Fear vs. Action: Why People Don’t Step In
The numbers make it clear what a difference immediate CPR can make. However, facing the real thing is far different, and it’s no surprise that people freeze. There are plenty of understandable reasons why someone might choose not to act, but education and practice are the keys to empowering bystanders to push past those fears and step in.
Lack of Confidence
Untrained bystanders or people who aren’t confident in their training often worry that they will do more harm than good by intervening, even if 911 dispatchers offer instructions. The fear of making the situation worse can be overpowering.
In recent studies, respondents reported that in-person, hands-on studies increased their confidence in performing CPR. However, confidence dropped about a year after initial training, indicating that repeated education can be especially impactful.
Many workplaces and schools provide regular training, and people can seek out local training programs themselves. These courses teach far more than chest compressions; they also teach people where to look for AEDs. All 50 states have some form of legislation requiring certain public places to have AEDs available, including doctor’s offices, schools, airports, and sports arenas.
Fear of Repercussions
Good intentions are not always a guarantee of a good outcome, and many people can be hesitant to help in emergencies because they’re afraid of the consequences. What if the victim dies despite their efforts? What if their aid is misconstrued as inappropriate and they face accusations or even legal action?
It’s vital for people to know that laws exist to protect helpful bystanders. Every state has some form of “Good Samaritan Law” to offer legal protection to people who provide reasonable, good-faith assistance when they believe someone is in peril.
Fear of repercussion is especially prevalent when the victim is a woman. Studies show that women are 14% less likely to receive bystander CPR and defibrillation than men. CPR training that uses both male and female manikins for practice and demonstration can help to develop confidence, bridging the gender gap of bystander CPR.
Making Changes, Increasing Survival
CPR Awareness Week may come and go each June, but emergencies don’t follow a calendar, and neither does the split-second decision to act. Widespread CPR and AED awareness and training can help to reduce the number of deaths from cardiac arrest, and every person trained is another potential responder when seconds matter most.
In those critical moments, the willingness to step forward can mean the difference between life and death, and can turn an ordinary bystander into a hero.
Explore Dynarex CPR supplies today!