CPR for the first time!

[RoyJackson]

As mentioned above, CPR does not have a really high success rate. It is worth it though, because even if only 6% are saved, that is significantly better than 0%.

The main thing is to keep the blood oxygenated and flowing to the brain...even if the first responder cannot revive the victim, there is a decent (more then 6%, I should think) chance a hospital can revive them.

BTW, I had a heart attack...however, this is First One's thread and I'll save that story for another thread.

 

[RobertN]

That is correct. That is also why the new compressions only CPR for Layperson is out. A whole lot of compressions can move some air, but it also keeps the blood flowing, even if O2 is minimal. Breathing for someone is hard, but compressions are not so much.

No, the numbers are low still.
Type of Care for SCA Victims after Collapse Chance of Survival
No care after collapse 0%
No CPR and delayed defibrillation (after 10 minutes) 0-2%
CPR from a non-medical person (such as a bystander or family member) begun within 2 minutes, but delayed defibrillation 2-8%
CPR and defibrillation within 8 minutes 20%
CPR and defibrillation within 4 minutes; paramedic help within 8 minutes 43%
Chain of Survival

Those are the general numbers quoted since I became an instructor.

The main thing is to keep the blood oxygenated and flowing to the brain...even if the first responder cannot revive the victim, there is a decent (more then 6%, I should think) chance a hospital can revive them.

BTW, I had a heart attack...however, this is First One's thread and I'll save that story for another thread.

 

[RobertN]

I just found out a long time friend, and EMT, had the same situation yesterday. She is taking it pretty hard. She started CPR, and FD arrived and worked on the person too, but the person did not make it.

 

[First one]

That is correct. That is also why the new compressions only CPR for Layperson is out. A whole lot of compressions can move some air, but it also keeps the blood flowing, even if O2 is minimal. Breathing for someone is hard, but compressions are not so much.

No, the numbers are low still.
Type of Care for SCA Victims after Collapse Chance of Survival
No care after collapse 0%
No CPR and delayed defibrillation (after 10 minutes) 0-2%
CPR from a non-medical person (such as a bystander or family member) begun within 2 minutes, but delayed defibrillation 2-8%
CPR and defibrillation within 8 minutes 20%
CPR and defibrillation within 4 minutes; paramedic help within 8 minutes 43%
Chain of Survival

Those are the general numbers quoted since I became an instructor.

I would like your thought on the new way of CPR with hands only? easier yes, but is it as good as the old way, with no breathing?
The last time we had our refresher class in CPR they had changed from the old way from 30 and 2 breaths to just 30 compressions and no breathing. After I had given him the first 30 I felt that I should have given him 2 breaths , but didn't because I was told that the new way was better. In the stress of it all I tried to stay with what was just taught to us.
I'm shocked at the different % that there is in the survival rate . You make me more convinced to try and get a AED at that store. I can't help now to think that if they had a AED there that the chance of that man surviving would have jumped up from 2-8% to 20-43% how sad that the "only if "could have made that much more of a chance he'd be here today.
I keep coming in after I work for awhile to read more ,you all have made this alot easier to try and cope with.
Thanks again for all.

 

[RobertN]

From what I have seen at Instructor recert training, and have browsed, for the general public, Hands Only seems to be working well.

Historically, people have had trouble rescue breathing properly. And, they took too long to switch between breathing, and compressions; the switch should be very short.

Hands Only works, because it keeps the blood flowing, even if poorly oxygenated. And, the compressions themselves will cause some air movement in the chest(and oxygen exchange).

The other thing it overcomes, is the yuck factor. With mouth to mouth breathing, will you catch something that victim has? Hands only takes away that worry.

For EMS, the original procedures are used.

Hands-only CPR gets better results - The Denver Post
Hands-only CPR enough to save a life, studies say - Health - Heart health - msnbc.com

I would like your thought on the new way of CPR with hands only? easier yes, but is it as good as the old way, with no breathing?

 

[Archer EV]

You did your best and that is all anyone can do. I used to be a CPR Instructor. I never used it on a person myself but I taught firemen who probably did. I taught bank employees and even taught a little girl who did use it to save her father's life. So I figure I had a part in saving some lives myself. It was fortunate that you were right there to give him a chance. He would have had zero chance otherwise. You just can not save everyone. Take pride in the fact that you were willing to get training and willing to use it when the time came.

 

[Western]

Just a couple AED mentions. Within the past 2 weeks near me.

A 15 yoa football player collapsed at a game in Azle TX about 2 weeks ago, coaches revived him with the use of AED's now required at football games here. Boy was on the news after hospital stay and looked good.

A 10 yoa girl collapsed after gym practice in Dallas TX last week, 2 coaches revived her using an AED, she was hospitalized and recieved a pacemaker, she looked good and cheerful after discharge.

Overall, I think AED's should be as widely dispersed as possible. Any edge someone can have to render aid is a good thing. When I was getting out of LE, we where getting them for certain patrol cars.

 

[RoyJackson]

Just remember, you DO NOT want to use an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) on a person with a pacemaker!

Just a couple AED mentions. Within the past 2 weeks near me.

A 15 yoa football player collapsed at a game in Azle TX about 2 weeks ago, coaches revived him with the use of AED's now required at football games here. Boy was on the news after hospital stay and looked good.

A 10 yoa girl collapsed after gym practice in Dallas TX last week, 2 coaches revived her using an AED, she was hospitalized and recieved a pacemaker, she looked good and cheerful after discharge.

Overall, I think AED's should be as widely dispersed as possible. Any edge someone can have to render aid is a good thing. When I was getting out of LE, we where getting them for certain patrol cars.

 

[Soundguy]

God bless you.

soundguy

 

[RoMad]

First, I am very sorry to hear of the loss of your son. As the Father of three I can't think of anything worse.

As far as your feelings after the CPR, I had a very similar experience a few years ago. I was on the way to work one morning and came upon a bad crash that had just happened. I was one of the first ones to get to the car of a lady in her early 60's. She had ended up in the back seat and was pretty broken up, and with no pulse. I climbed in the car and gave her CPR until the Paramedics arrived. They checked her and said she was beyond help.
I went on to work and boy was it a rough day. I could not get her out of my mind.
I called the EMT on duty where I work and told them what happened. They told me that I had done everything I could and that it was rare for CPR to work but always worth trying.
I still think about her sometimes when I pass where the wreck happened.