When it comes to CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation), misinformation is everywhere. These myths can prevent people from stepping in to help when every second counts. At Survival CPR, we believe knowledge is power—and in this case, it could be life-saving.
Separate fact from fiction and empower yourself to act confidently in an emergency.
Busted with the Facts That Matter
Myth #1: “CPR is only for medical professionals.”
- Fact: Anyone can learn and perform CPR — and everyone should! You don’t need to be a doctor or nurse to make a difference. In fact, bystanders who take action before paramedics arrive can double or even triple a person’s chance of survival.
Myth #2: “You might hurt the person if you do CPR incorrectly.”
- Fact: Doing something is always better than doing nothing. While it’s true that CPR can sometimes result in cracked ribs, that’s a small price to pay for saving a life. When someone’s heart has stopped, they’re already in a life-threatening situation—your efforts could be the reason they survive.
Myth #3: “If someone is breathing, they don’t need CPR.”
- Fact: Not always true. Some cardiac arrest victims might gasp or exhibit irregular breathing (agonal breathing), which can be misleading. If a person is unresponsive and not breathing normally, it’s time to start CPR.
Myth #4: “Mouth-to-mouth is always required.”
- Fact: Not anymore! For adult cardiac arrest victims, hands-only CPR (just chest compressions) is proven to be highly effective and is now recommended by many emergency response guidelines. Mouth-to-mouth is only necessary in certain cases like drowning or for children.
Myth #5: “Once CPR is started, you can’t stop.”
Fact: You can and should stop CPR when:
- The person shows signs of life
- A trained professional takes over
- You are physically unable to continue
CPR isn’t about perfection—it’s about action.
The more people who understand the truth about CPR, the more lives we can save. Debunking these myths is just the first step. Consider taking a certified CPR course to equip yourself with practical, life-saving skills.
Book your training with Survival CPR today.
Adult CPR & First Aid Course
Adult CPR & First Aid Course Our CPR and First Aid Course will provide you with Adult CPR and standard first aid information to meet all the requirements for certification. You will learn the appropriate skills and techniques to handle a variety of situations, from unresponsive victims to serious wounds.
CPR for Professionals Course
The Resuscitation Council CPR for Professionals Course is designed for medical professionals (physiotherapists, chiropractors, homeopaths, doctors, nurses, dentists, pharmacists etc), who are registered with the Health Professions Council of South Africa. Members of the public are also allowed to attend this course. Medical professionals who need to learn or stay
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