Site Map | Important Notices | Contact Us | Français

Ask the Experts - Can I break a person's ribs when doing CPR?

Can I break a person's ribs when I'm doing CPR?

Yes. Even performed properly CPR can break some ribs, especially in older people whose bones are more brittle. Remember though, if a person's heart has stopped, he or she is basically dead at this point and has little to lose. Broken ribs may slow a person's recovery, but only slightly. And remember, we ARE talking about recovery. Without CPR, we would not be.

-- Lib Mendoça, Instructor/Instructor Trainer, St. John Ambulance - Ottawa


ACT's Corporate Health Partners As part of our commitment to improving the health and quality of life of Canadians, AstraZeneca is proud to support ACT's commitment to saving lives through the delivery of CPR training to high schools across the country. Pfizer Canada is a proud supporter of the ACT Foundation's mission to promote health and empower Canadians to save lives. The more people know how to react during the first crucial moments, the greater the chance of survival. Sanofi Canada recognizes the value to society of the ACT Foundation's initiatives and fully supports the foundation's goal to see mandatory CPR training in Canadian high schools.
©2012 ACT Foundation