When PE teacher John Brady saw Tom Haynes collapse during a frisbee game, he knew exactly what to do. "Having that AED so close by and also knowing where it was, having the training to use it... it's certainly probably one of the reasons why Tom is here," Brady said.
Many Australians might hesitate to perform CPR when someone needs it, but Tom's story shows why taking action matters.
Unlike John, many Australians hesitate to perform CPR when someone needs it. Let's tackle these concerns head-on and separate fact from fiction.
The Big One: "I'll Make Things Worse"
Someone collapses at your local shops. They're not responding when you try to wake them, and they're not breathing normally. Can you really make that situation worse?
The Myth: "If I do CPR wrong, I might hurt them or make their condition worse."
The Reality: When someone's heart has stopped, they're already in the most serious situation possible. Any attempt at CPR gives them a fighting chance. As our cardiac arrest survivor Tom Haynes says, "Without CPR, I wouldn't be here talking to you today."
"But I'm Not Qualified!"
The Myth: You need a certificate or formal training to perform CPR.
The Truth: The Australian Resuscitation Council is crystal clear on this: any attempt at CPR is better than none. You don't need a fancy certificate to be a lifesaver.
What you actually need:
Two hands
The willingness to act
Basic knowledge of where to push (centre of the chest)
That's it.
"CPR Will Restart Their Heart"
The Myth: CPR alone will get the heart beating again.
The Facts: Think of CPR like a backup generator. It keeps the lights on (blood flowing) until the power company (the AED) can restore full power. Here's how it really works:
CPR maintains blood flow to vital organs
An AED (defibrillator) is what can actually restart the heart
Together, they're a powerful combination
The Rib-Breaking Worry
The Myths: "I heard CPR breaks ribs, so I'm scared to push too hard." "If I break their ribs, it might puncture their lungs."
The Reality: Yes, ribs might crack during CPR. But here's what our emergency responders want you to know:
Ribs heal
Proper CPR requires firm pressure
Even if ribs break, the risk of lung injury is extremely low
The real risk is not doing CPR at all
The key is to push hard and fast in the centre of the chest. Any concern about broken ribs shouldn't stop you from performing CPR - without it, the person has no chance of survival.
"Don't I Have to Do Mouth-to-Mouth?"
The Myth: CPR always requires mouth-to-mouth resuscitation.
The Truth: Not at all, mate! Hands-only CPR is:
Just as effective in most cases
Recommended for the public
Easier to remember
More likely to be performed
"Once I Start, I Can't Stop"
The Myth: You must continue CPR until paramedics arrive, no matter what.
The Reality: You can:
Switch with someone else if you're tired
Stop if the person starts breathing normally
Take turns with other bystanders
Use an AED if one becomes available
What Really Matters in an Emergency
When someone's heart stops, their survival chances drop by 10% every minute without CPR. The real risk isn't doing CPR incorrectly – it's not doing it at all.
Here's what Tom's story teaches us:
Speed matters more than technique
Any CPR is better than no CPR
Everyone can learn basic life-saving skills
Ready to Learn More?
Take our free online course to build your confidence and learn the basics of CPR and AED use. It takes just minutes to complete, and you'll join thousands of Australians who are ready to act when it matters most.
Comentarios