CPR and Rib Fractures: Debunking the Floating Rib/Liver Puncture Myth

Myth: Improper CPR causes floating ribs to pierce the liver.

Fact: Impossible. Floating ribs (11th–12th pairs) attach only to the spine—not the sternum or each other. They are anatomically positioned away from the liver and cannot puncture it, even if fractured during CPR.

CPR can cause rib fractures (especially in elderly/osteoporotic patients), but these are typically anterior ribs. The benefit of life-saving CPR vastly outweighs fracture risk. Proper hand placement (lower sternum) minimizes complications.