Factors that influence bystander CPR: A narrative review

Sudden out-of-hospital cardiac arrests are the most common cause of death worldwide. This mortality rate can be significantly reduced with the provision of bystander cardiopulmonary resuscitation. This narrative reviewuses a constructionist framework, and examines factors related to the provision of bystander cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Common factors include: resistance to perform the act due to various fears, lack of cardiopulmonary resuscitation education and training, legal implications around performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation, and socioeconomic variables whether or not cardiopulmonary resuscitation is initiated during out-of-hospital cardiac arrest.The authors developed a list of recommendations to enhance the provision of bystander cardiopulmonary resuscitation in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest with the ultimate aim to enhance overall survival rates during cardiac arrest. Education around the legal implications for providing bystander cardiopulmonary resuscitation needs to be widely disseminated. Support for cardiopulmonary resuscitationeducation and training should be provided to all individuals, including those with low socioeconomic statuses. Education should be provided around the efficacy of bystander cardiopulmonary resuscitation and the low to no risk for the bystander in relation to contracting infectious diseases.