{"id":11482,"date":"2023-08-07T12:15:00","date_gmt":"2023-08-07T16:15:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.protrainings.com\/blog\/?p=11482"},"modified":"2025-01-09T17:01:10","modified_gmt":"2025-01-09T22:01:10","slug":"bystander-effect-why-people-dont-attempt-cpr","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.protrainings.com\/blog\/bystander-effect-why-people-dont-attempt-cpr\/","title":{"rendered":"The Bystander Effect: 7 Reasons People Don\u2019t Attempt CPR"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Table of Contents <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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  1. The Bystander Effect<\/a>\n
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    1. The Fight, Flight, Freeze Response<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
    2. Emergency Versus Non-Emergency Situations<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    3. 7 Reasons People Don\u2019t Attempt CPR<\/a>\n
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      1. The Burden of Responsibility<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
      2. Misunderstanding Responsibility<\/a> <\/li>\n\n\n\n
      3. Misinterpreting the Situation<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
      4. Fear of Doing It Wrong<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
      5. Fear of Being Sued<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
      6. Fear of Contamination or Disease<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
      7. Lack of Training<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
      8. \u201c7 Reasons People Don\u2019t Perform CPR\u201d Infographic<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      9. How to Overcome the Bystander Effect<\/a>\n
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        1. \u201c6 Reasons to Get Certified in CPR\u201d Infographic<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n
        2. Every Second Counts<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

          Most of us hope that when we experience an emergency, someone will come to our rescue. But the reality is that far too many people hesitate to give life-saving aid. Often, this is because they believe someone else will \u2014 or should \u2014 do it instead. This phenomenon is commonly known as the bystander effect.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

          According to a study in the Journal of the Chinese Medicine Association<\/em><\/a>, of 142,740 people who experienced cardiac arrest, only 32% received CPR from a bystander despite 53% of these emergency events being observed by onlookers. There are many reasons people may hesitate to administer CPR to a stranger, but most can be overcome with training and a better understanding of what\u2019s needed in an emergency. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

          Whether you hesitate to perform CPR out of fear, uncertainty, or feeling unqualified, you\u2019re not alone. But those fears and misconceptions don\u2019t have to stop you from saving a life. Understanding what keeps you from helping someone in need is the first step to gaining the confidence and skills you need to take action.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

          Read on to learn more about the bystander effect and how to overcome common fears and misconceptions that prevent people from administering CPR in an emergency. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

          The Bystander Effect<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

          Also known as bystander apathy, the bystander effect is a theory first introduced by John Darley and Bibb Latan\u00e9<\/a> that states that the presence of other bystanders in an emergency decreases the likelihood that someone will help. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

          Following the murder of Kitty Genovese, who received no help despite the presence of multiple witnesses, Darley and Latan\u00e9 conducted a series of experiments that helped them both define the bystander effect and begin to understand why people hesitate to intervene when an emergency occurs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

          While the reasons for a bystander\u2019s inaction can and do vary, Darley and Latan\u00e9 found that often people simply assume that someone else will help, so they don\u2019t need to. But when everyone makes this assumption, no one steps forward, and the emergency victim may not receive the help they need until after it\u2019s too late. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

          The Fight, Flight, Freeze Response<\/em><\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

          A natural response rooted in our evolutionary past can lead to the manifestation of the bystander effect \u2014 fight, flight, or freeze. Humans developed this response when environmental awareness and responses to threats were crucial for survival. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

          In stressful or emergency situations, some people may jump up to help. This is called the fight response. Many brave first responders possess this quality. It could involve administering CPR, providing first aid, or immediately calling for help. They don\u2019t back down from the situation and take a proactive, empathetic approach. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

          Fight, flight, or freeze is our body’s instinctive reaction to stress.<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

          Others may experience the urge to flee from the situation, also known as the flight response. This response is often driven by fear, uncertainty, or feeling like they\u2019re unable to handle the emergency. Live-saving skills training to gain confidence can be extremely beneficial for these individuals. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

          \"ProTrainings<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

          Lastly, individuals could also become immobilized or uncertain about what action to take. This is a freeze response, stemming from shock, indecision, and feeling overwhelmed by the situation. Despite recognizing the need for action, those experiencing this response find themselves unable to act due to conflicting impulses and emotions. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

          These responses are influenced by factors such as personal characteristics, past experiences, and the perceived level of danger in the situation. Whether it be fight, flight, or freeze, each response serves as a natural protective mechanism for personal safety and well-being.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

          Emergency Versus Non-Emergency Situations<\/em><\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

          Another way the bystander effect arises is when it\u2019s time to decide whether a situation is an emergency. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

          In emergency situations, people may feel uncertain about the situation or fear making a mistake in front of others. They may also look to others for cues on how to behave, and if nobody else is taking action, they may interpret this as a signal that no action is necessary. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

          Signs of an emergency include situations where someone’s life or safety is in danger and when immediate professional help or action is required.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

          On the flip side of emergency situations, with non-emergencies, there’s no immediate threat to anyone’s well-being, no pressing need for professional assistance, and no urgency to prevent harm.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

          In non-emergency situations, like witnessing someone being harassed or where a minor injury takes place, individuals may be less likely to intervene if others are present. They assume someone else will step in, or they worry about what others might think if they act alone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

          Sometimes, you may have a hard time deciding whether a situation is an emergency. For example, when people fall, injuries to the head, neck, and back are common, and it can be tricky to determine if they need urgent help. Watch our video to learn more about assessing head, neck, and back injuries:\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n