My husband says when you give someone CPR, that it usually breaks the sternum. He says if it doesn't break, then you can't actually 'pump' the heart. I mean, it kinda' sounds correct, but I've never heard anything about the bone breaking!
Anybody know?
2006-07-18 06:30:31 · 12 answers · asked by CountryGirl 2 in Health ➔ General Health Care ➔ Injuries
I've done CPR many, many times. If you're going to do it and give the person a chance at life, then you will have to pump hard, and you'll hear some "cracking". I agree with the other guy, there is nothing pretty about CPR. They don't tell you that the person might vomit on you, or have a bm in his clothes. CPR is very hard work...and it has to be done correctly, in order to give the person a chance of life. I understand that CPR is only like 30% effective as a regular heartbeat, but it's the best thing to do as of now, until something better is developed. I can also tell you that most of the people won't live......by the time CPR is started, it's too late. But we'll do it just in case, to give that person the benefit of the doubt...to at least give him/her some type of hope.
2006-07-18 09:06:30 · answer #1 · answered by cajunrescuemedic 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If someone knows what they are doing no further injuries can occur. The key to it is to properly landmark as outlined in CPR guidelines 2005. Sometimes the sternum can fracture depending on the age of the person and the force exerted. For adults pts compression should be at 11/2 - 2" in depth, Children and Infants is 1/2 - 1/3 the depth of the chest.
2006-07-18 06:43:12 · answer #2 · answered by tantum4 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You DO NOT crack ribs when doing CPR, the popping noise you hear when doing compressions is the cartilage separting. If you break ribs, you are compressing way too forcefully. Breaking the sternum is incredibly bad. If you break it, it can pierce your patient's heart or a lung, and then you have more problems than you started with. You can "pump" the heart just fine without breaking anything. :-)
2006-07-18 09:32:47 · answer #3 · answered by emmadropit 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sorry friend its not tue that the sternum breaks actually our sternum is of three small bones and are joined with the flexible cartilagenous joints. thus when u give an CPR u dont have to break the sternum. try it in any demonstration in nearby Hopistal. Its not allways that u break it ..... but may if done hard.
2006-07-18 06:36:02 · answer #4 · answered by Dr. Rahumika 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have heard that in CPR classes as well. Makes sense to me since the sternum serves a purpose to protect the heart.
2006-07-18 06:34:20 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
But when you conduct CPR do you apply compression on the diaphragm or heart. And are you suppose to apply the compressions below the sternum or the lower part of the sternum
2006-07-18 07:50:54 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
You should not break the sternum!!! It may break for geriatric adults due to bone degeneration. The breaking of ribs/sternum puts the patient/victim at risk for punctured lungs thereby compiling the problem!!! So, NO, you do not have to break ribs or a sternum to "pump" the heart!!!
2006-07-18 07:57:38 · answer #7 · answered by que_rida 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You are not supposed to break the sternum! It does happen fairly often, but it can puncture a lung or the heart- so there are protocols- proper ways and certain depths to push with different ages- infants, children and adults are all different with the depth you are supposed to push down on the chest with.
2006-07-18 07:44:44 · answer #8 · answered by verdes0j0s 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
That is incorrect. CPR may break ribs, but if this happens the hand placement should be readjusted. It is common to give broken ribs during CPR.
2006-07-19 10:19:42 · answer #9 · answered by blaze_your_brow 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
yes the ribs weren't ment to bend like that and neither was the sternum that's why you always have to call for help before performing CPR.
2006-07-18 06:36:06 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋