Do chest compressions normally break ribs?

I’ve heard they usually do.

This is common from my understanding.

Sure beats the alternative if they are keeping someone alive.

It’s uncommon but not unheard of.

Yes if the compressions are done correctly.

Yes. You learn that during CPR training. If you crack a rib, you’re doing it right. For an average adult, you need to do chest compressions hard enough to lower the chest about 2 inches repeatedly for 20 counts at a time.

@Coolhandluke and @gondwanalon That’s just not true. @ironmathyu5 is absolutely correct.

I wonder if the frequency of ribs breaking is a function of whether it’s a heathcare professional performing the CPR or just an average Joe who took a CPR course and is otherwise inexperienced? Perhaps for the latter group, it’s more common? That might explain why the training may over-exaggerate the likelihood of this occurrence? I take the course every couple of years and while my memory may be inaccurate, I seem to recall them stressing the idea that there is a good chance you could break the ribs.

@Coolhandluke Makes an interesting point that the intent behind this training is to mentally prepare you for this situation ahead of time, even if the risk is exaggerated. Perhaps the calculation is that more lives will be saved by this “white lie” than by having people worry they’ve just hurt someone (which apparently ought to be uncommon) and then not perform the skills correctly?

It is a known complication. But the adage of “if you don’t break a rib you’re not doing it right” is incorrect.