Why do Malaysians hesitate to perform CPR during cardiac arrest?

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Malaysians hesitate to perform CPR during cardiac arrest mainly because many people are unsure, worried about harming the patient, and lack training or knowledge of how to use CPR and nearby AEDs.

Many Malaysians remain uncertain about what to do during a cardiac emergency. Some fear causing harm if they intervene, while others worry about performing CPR incorrectly or doing it the wrong way. For many, there is also no formal CPR training experience, which increases hesitation when a person collapses.

Even when an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) is available nearby, people may still hesitate because they do not know how to use it. As a result, precious time is often lost while bystanders wait for someone else to take action. In emergency medicine, that delay matters because irreversible damage to the brain and other vital organs can begin within minutes without oxygen-rich blood circulation, and the first minutes before professional help arrives are where bystanders can make the biggest difference.
Uncertainty about what to do in the first minutes
In a sudden cardiac arrest, there is a narrow window between collapse and when professional care takes over. The text describes how this period often feels long for families and bystanders, but it is also the period in which ordinary citizens can have the greatest impact. When people are not sure what to do, they are more likely to hesitate instead of acting immediately.
Fear of causing harm or performing CPR incorrectly
Some people hesitate because they fear their intervention could cause harm. Others worry about performing CPR incorrectly, including concerns about whether they will do it wrong during a real emergency. This fear and uncertainty can prevent bystanders from stepping forward even when immediate action is possible.
Lack of formal CPR training
Many Malaysians have never received formal CPR training, which leaves them without practiced confidence in using the technique. The text links this training gap to hesitation during cardiac emergencies. When people have not been trained, they may be less willing to act under pressure.
Confusion about using AEDs even when they are nearby
The presence of an AED does not automatically lead to action if people do not know how to use it. The text states that even when an AED is available nearby, some people hesitate due to not knowing how to operate it. That hesitation contributes to delays while bystanders wait for another person to take action.

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Why do Malaysians hesitate to perform CPR during cardiac arrest?

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