As for CPR I have done it 3 times with one success but years later I still think about my 2 unsuccessful attempts and question myself if I could have done better

My first first-aid course was very good on that point - it was run an ex-paramedic and he illustrated many of the point with an account of an incident or two from the ambulances - a large number were suffixed with "that one didn't make it either". We were all left with the definite impression that it's all very far from an exact science and most of the variables are set even before you arrive - so even the professionals can't save everyone - far from it. It was pretty much drummed into us that you do your best, but you may well only make a significant difference to someone in maybe 1 out of 100 cases - but just that one case makes all the effort more than worthwhile.

   - Andy.

As for CPR I have done it 3 times with one success but years later I still think about my 2 unsuccessful attempts and question myself if I could have done better

My first first-aid course was very good on that point - it was run an ex-paramedic and he illustrated many of the point with an account of an incident or two from the ambulances - a large number were suffixed with "that one didn't make it either". We were all left with the definite impression that it's all very far from an exact science and most of the variables are set even before you arrive - so even the professionals can't save everyone - far from it. It was pretty much drummed into us that you do your best, but you may well only make a significant difference to someone in maybe 1 out of 100 cases - but just that one case makes all the effort more than worthwhile.

   - Andy.