Short answer: Yes. But not actually a big concern.
If someone needs CPR, you really can’t make things worse for them, it’s better to do something than to do nothing. That person will have no chance of survival if you do nothing.
Longer answer: It’s possible to break a rib, it’s possible to break cartilage, it’s possible you don’t break anything. But the concern or fear of breaking something should not prevent us from starting CPR when needed. There have been several studies done looking at injuries caused while doing CPR, and most have concluded that the injuries were minor in comparison to the need to perform chest compressions to save someone’s life.
A few weeks ago we were teaching Hands Only CPR at an event and this question and concern were brought up quite a bit. A few folks had a story to share with their statement that they would not do CPR because they could break something. So we spent a lot of time dispelling stories and providing information. One of the things we explained is that not everything you view or hear online or in the news is accurate. What gets views are the extremes, not the mundane stories where everything works as it should.
Not so exciting but true fact: If someone is in cardiac arrest and no one does CPR that person will not survive.
A more interesting fact: With bystander CPR a person’s chance of survival is much higher.
A common question: Can I be sued for doing CPR or breaking something? No. As a bystander you are covered by the Good Samaritan Law. Every state in the U.S. has one. The wording for each state varies, but bystanders are covered if they act to help in an emergency, do not exceed their training, and are not expecting compensation in return.
We cover a lot of the facts in a CPR class.
