Learn CPR

[Red Diamond Ranch]

I think this is the best post I have made.
I hope folks find it useful. I sure did.

Learn CPR online.

http://depts.washington.edu/learncpr/

[Brosia]

excellent, thank you.

I took The Red Cross CPR course about a year ago, what they don't/can't teach you is how you are going to react when you find yourself in a situation.

BTW, I learned firsthand that for apparent heart attack victims (adult), don't bother with the breaths, you'll go right into 600 compressions...

[Oddball]

I know they're teaching the "no breaths" method, now. But, what good are the compressions if the blood isn't oxygenated? I think they're teaching the new method so more people will at least try to render aid. The fact is, people tend to vomit when having a heart attack. Between aspiration and the lack of oxygenated blood, I'm really surprised that they've had decent results from compressions only. Still, I highly encourage everyone to take a CPR class. Some will be heros and some will at least get a sense of responsibility to try or to step up and tell someone to call 911. I guess it's better than freaking out.

[Rustyshakelford]

I know they're teaching the "no breaths" method, now. But, what good are the compressions if the blood isn't oxygenated? I think they're teaching the new method so more people will at least try to render aid. The fact is, people tend to vomit when having a heart attack. Between aspiration and the lack of oxygenated blood, I'm really surprised that they've had decent results from compressions only. Still, I highly encourage everyone to take a CPR class. Some will be heros and some will at least get a sense of responsibility to try or to step up and tell someone to call 911. I guess it's better than freaking out.

Red Cross certified here. 911 on a drilling rig usually means 45 mins minimum wait on a Lifeflight choper.
Not sure I would put my mouth on some of these guys' mouth, so I carry those masks.

[cprdummy]

I know they're teaching the "no breaths" method, now. But, what good are the compressions if the blood isn't oxygenated? I think they're teaching the new method so more people will at least try to render aid. The fact is, people tend to vomit when having a heart attack. Between aspiration and the lack of oxygenated blood, I'm really surprised that they've had decent results from compressions only. Still, I highly encourage everyone to take a CPR class. Some will be heros and some will at least get a sense of responsibility to try or to step up and tell someone to call 911. I guess it's better than freaking out.

When the chest is compressed, the air (old air) is sqeezed from the lungs. When the hands come up and the chest recoils, on the upstroke of the compression, air from outside the body flows into the lungs due to higher atmospheric pressure and less pressure in the lungs. Normal atmosphere contains about 21% oxygen,,,so the victim IS receiving oxygen,
When you give someone a rescue breath, ie: mouth to mouth breathing, you have already used 5% of the 21% O2, giving the victim only 16% O2 and whatever else you have exhaled ie: Carbon Dioxide.
Yes compressions only CPR can help delay cell death...and Yes compressions only CPR is taught because doing something is better than doing nothing.

Take care, Bubba EMT-P and CPR Instructor

[Big_Saw]

When the chest is compressed, the air (old air) is sqeezed from the lungs. When the hands come up and the chest recoils, on the upstroke of the compression, air from outside the body flows into the lungs due to higher atmospheric pressure and less pressure in the lungs. Normal atmosphere contains about 21% oxygen,,,so the victim IS receiving oxygen,
When you give someone a rescue breath, ie: mouth to mouth breathing, you have already used 5% of the 21% O2, giving the victim only 16% O2 and whatever else you have exhaled ie: Carbon Dioxide.
Yes compressions only CPR can help delay cell death...and Yes compressions only CPR is taught because doing something is better than doing nothing.

Take care, Bubba EMT-P and CPR Instructor

One of the reasons they're starting to teach it is the fact that most people have such an aversion to the concept of mouth-to-mouth w/a complete stranger, that they would rather do nothing at all....and your avg. person won't tote around a pocket BVM or face shield....

It's really just more PC nanny B.S. the original method is proven effective, and I would strongly advise against detracting from it until or unless a real improvement is made.

[cprdummy]

One of the reasons they're starting to teach it is the fact that most people have such an aversion to the concept of mouth-to-mouth w/a complete stranger, that they would rather do nothing at all....and your avg. person won't tote around a pocket BVM or face shield....

It's really just more PC nanny B.S. the original method is proven effective, and I would strongly advise against detracting from it until or unless a real improvement is made.

Yeah Saw...so many people were dying as a result of bystanders doing nothing for cardiac arrest victims. Most victims of cardiac arrest have secretions, blood, vomitous around the mouth. No way I'm putting my mouth there and I'm a medic. So...AHA did studies using compression only cpr. One of the studies was conducted in Phoenix AZ. A buddy of mine is a captain there. Lives are being saved using compressions only. Professional rescuers are not allowed to perform compressions only, because we are expected to have a breathing barrier device of some sort, preferably a bag valve mask, (ambu bag). So if you have a barrier device, use it. If you don't, compressions only cpr is better than nothing.

Bubba

[Big_Saw]

Yeah Saw...so many people were dying as a result of bystanders doing nothing for cardiac arrest victims. Most victims of cardiac arrest have secretions, blood, vomitous around the mouth. No way I'm putting my mouth there and I'm a medic. So...AHA did studies using compression only cpr. One of the studies was conducted in Phoenix AZ. A buddy of mine is a captain there. Lives are being saved using compressions only. Professional rescuers are not allowed to perform compressions only, because we are expected to have a breathing barrier device of some sort, preferably a bag valve mask, (ambu bag). So if you have a barrier device, use it. If you don't, compressions only cpr is better than nothing.

Bubba

I give out a pocket face-shield to everyone one my Xmas list every year....it's got its own little pouch that serves as a key fob, and I've actually used 'em twice....

I know the compression-only method has merits, but traditional CPR is, IMHO, superior still.

Still...I agree...kick me, pump me...do something other than stand there and let me die because you can't handle a little spit....

[Big_Saw]

Yeah Saw...so many people were dying as a result of bystanders doing nothing for cardiac arrest victims. Most victims of cardiac arrest have secretions, blood, vomitous around the mouth. No way I'm putting my mouth there and I'm a medic. So...AHA did studies using compression only cpr. One of the studies was conducted in Phoenix AZ. A buddy of mine is a captain there. Lives are being saved using compressions only. Professional rescuers are not allowed to perform compressions only, because we are expected to have a breathing barrier device of some sort, preferably a bag valve mask, (ambu bag). So if you have a barrier device, use it. If you don't, compressions only cpr is better than nothing.

Bubba

BTW, Kudos to RDR for posting this thread...I hope more members take an interest.

If everyone knew at least the bare minimum of BCLS, a lot of people would experience that second chance....people that suffer when the only potential help around is ignorant of the basics and rewards of first response....