Last Updated on: November 26, 2024
Table of Contents
One of the most concerning questions bystanders get in while performing CPR is whether ribs break during CPR. According to studies, around 30% to 80% of people who receive CPR end up with fractured ribs. While this might sound alarming, it’s important to remember that CPR is a life-saving technique used when someone’s heart stops beating. The technique aims to keep blood flowing to organs like the brain and heart until professional medical help arrives.
Chest compressions, a key part of CPR, are performed by pressing down hard on the chest to pump the heart manually. This action requires significant force, especially in adults. Thus, there is a chance that the ribs can break under the pressure. However, while rib fractures can happen, the main priority is to save a life. Broken ribs will heal over time, but without CPR, the person’s chances of survival drop dramatically.
In this article, we’ll explore how CPR can affect the ribs, why fractures happen, and why saving a life is always more important than the risk of breaking bones during CPR.
CPR is used when someone’s heart stops beating and the individual stops breathing naturally. It involves chest compressions and rescue breaths to keep blood flowing and deliver oxygen to the brain and heart. The steps to perform chest compressions are:
Read More: 10 Steps to Perform CPR: Lifesaving Infographic Guide
Yes, ribs can break during CPR. Although it doesn’t happen every time, it is a known risk. Rib fractures can occur because the chest compressions performed during CPR need to be firm and forceful enough to compress the chest and stimulate the heart effectively.
Since the ribs surround the heart and lungs, they are vulnerable to injury during this process. So, if you’re wondering, “Do you break ribs during CPR?” the answer is that it can happen, but the likelihood depends on various factors.
The frequency of ribs breaking during CPR varies depending on the patient’s age, bone health, and the technique used. It happens in a significant number of cases, especially in older adults who may have weaker bones due to conditions like osteoporosis. In contrast, younger, healthier individuals are less likely to experience fractures.
Ribs are more likely to break during CPR. However, there is also a possibility that the sternum could be injured during CPR. The sternum, or breastbone, is the flat bone in the center of the chest to which the ribs are attached.
When strong compressions are applied, fractures of the sternum can occur, though they are less common than rib fractures. So, do you break the sternum during CPR? In some cases, yes, but it is less frequent than rib fractures.
The ribs are a protective cage around vital organs like the heart and lungs. They are flexible, but they can only withstand so much pressure. Several factors contribute to answering the do ribs break during CPR:
One of the big questions people ask is, “Should you break ribs during CPR?” While the goal of CPR is not to break bones, the priority is to save a life. Ribs are more likely to break when CPR is performed with the proper depth and force, but this is a trade-off worth making.
The broken ribs from CPR can be serious. However, the possibility is small when you are properly trained to perform quality CPR. Broken ribs may bruise or rupture the lungs, the heart and the spinal cord and may also pierce the lungs or the heart. The sound or sensation of a rib breaking should not stop you from continuing CPR. This is because, in an emergency, the focus should be on keeping blood flowing to the brain and heart. Medical professionals deal with rib fractures after the person has been revived, but stopping CPR can be fatal.
There are chances that the ribs might break while performing CPR. While it’s not always possible to avoid rib fractures during CPR, there are a few techniques that can help reduce the likelihood of causing injury. These include the following:
However, even with perfect technique, some people will still experience broken ribs due to their unique anatomy or other factors. The focus should always remain on saving the person’s life.
If you perform CPR and suspect that ribs are broken, there’s no need to panic. Once the person has been revived or emergency services have taken over, they will receive appropriate medical care. Rib fractures are typically managed with pain relief and rest.
After the person has recovered, they may need some time to heal from the rib injury. In most cases, broken ribs take about 4-6 weeks to heal, though older adults may require a longer recovery period.
Read More: When To Stop Performing CPR?
One alarming possibility of performing CPR is broken ribs. But the real question is: Does it matter? In most cases, broken ribs are a minor injury compared to the life-saving potential of CPR. When someone’s heart stops, effective chest compressions are more important than the risk of ribs breaking during CPR.
If you ever need to perform CPR, don’t hesitate because of the fear of breaking ribs during CPR. Your actions could give someone a second chance at life. Even if ribs are broken, they will heal, and the person you saved will likely be forever grateful for your quick response and willingness to help.
Taking a CPR course can help you prepare for cardiac emergencies. Learning the right techniques can help you perform CPR effectively, giving you the confidence to save a life without causing severe rib injuries.
