Being Scared to Provide CPR: You’re not alone.

Kimesha Blackwood BScN, MEd.

January 4, 2026

The idea of performing CPR can be terrifying. Many people imagine a high-pressure emergency, a stranger’s life in their hands, and the fear of doing something wrong. If you’ve ever thought, “What if I mess up?” or “What if I hurt them?” you’re not alone.

Fear is one of the biggest reasons bystanders hesitate to act during cardiac emergencies. But understanding that fear and learning how to move past it can make all the difference.

Why People Are Afraid to Perform CPR

Fear of Doing It Wrong

Many people worry they don’t remember the steps correctly or that they’ll make a mistake. CPR training can fade over time, and emergencies don’t come with instructions.

The truth: Doing something is almost always better than doing nothing. Imperfect CPR is far better than no CPR at all.

Fear of Causing Harm

People often worry about breaking ribs or injuring the person.

The truth: Broken ribs can heal. A stopped heart cannot. CPR is performed when someone is already clinically dead or close to it your actions are meant to save their life.

Fear of Legal Consequences

Some are afraid of being sued or blamed if the outcome is poor.

The truth: Most countries and regions have Good Samaritan laws that protect people who provide reasonable assistance in emergencies. It is to be noted that the Good Samaritan laws do not apply when there is gross negligence, recklessness, intentional harm, performing medical procedures beyond your training, expectation of payment, failure to get consent from a conscious victim, or abandoning care after starting interventions.

Fear of Mouth-to-Mouth Contact

Concerns about disease transmission make some people hesitant.

The truth: Hands-only CPR (chest compressions only) is effective for most adult cardiac arrests and is recommended for untrained bystanders.

The Moment That Matters Most

Cardiac arrest doesn’t wait for confidence. Brain damage can begin within 4–6 minutes without oxygen. Every second without CPR lowers the chance of survival.

In that moment, you don’t need to be perfect, you need to be present.

How to Push Past the Fear

Call for Help First

Dial emergency services immediately. Dispatchers can guide you step-by-step while help is on the way.

Remember: You Can’t Make It Worse

If a person isn’t breathing or doesn’t have a pulse, clinically, they are already dead, CPR is their best chance of survival.

Focus on One Simple Action

Push hard and fast in the center of the chest about 100–120 compressions per minute. Even this alone can save a life.

Practice Builds Confidence

Taking CPR classes, watching refresher videos, or practicing on mannequins can make the steps feel automatic under stress. Code blue and pink scenarios are often organized by clinical Practice Leaders in hospitals and long-term care homes, participation in these drills can be helpful.

Real Courage Isn’t Fearlessness

There is an adage that says, "Courage isn’t the absence of fear it’s acting despite it". The people who step forward in emergencies are often scared too. They shake, they doubt themselves, but they act anyway.

Your willingness to try could mean someone gets to go home to their family.

Final Thoughts

If you’re afraid to provide CPR, that doesn’t make you weak it makes you human. What matters most is remembering that your effort could be the difference between life and death.

When the moment comes, trust yourself. You are capable of more than you think.

Blackwood's Healthcare Learning Center

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