CPR for the first time!

[MossRoad]

First one,

I commend you on your swift action. If anything, you gave the woman some reassurance that there is some humanity left in the world. Just think how she would have felt if you would have said "Sorry" and driven off.

It also reminds me that my and my coworkers' CPR certification has expired and I should get my employer to set up re-certification.

 

[RobertN]

Can you elaborate?

American Heart Assoc and Red Cross both allow for use of AED's with pacemakers. Both are specific though, that the AED pads are not placed directly over the pacemaker.

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

 

[RoyJackson]

Can you elaborate?

American Heart Assoc and Red Cross both allow for use of AED's with pacemakers. Both are specific though, that the AED pads are not placed directly over the pacemaker.

I was told this by the doctor who put it in me...that's been a bit over 3 years ago...things make have changed since then.
My heart attack was due to an arrhythmia (sp???) between the upper and lower chambers of the heart. The pacemaker is to keep the correct rhythm. I'm assuming the AED could work against the pacemaker in doing this.
But you bring up a very good point! My information and instructions may be out of date.

 

[Sigarms]

I was told this by the doctor who put it in me...that's been a bit over 3 years ago...things make have changed since then.

It seems even CPR itself keeps changing as far as the procedures. Please don't take this the wrong way, but it seems at times that CPR classes are nothing more than a money making machine, particularly if you're required to keep yearly certification and don't get reimbursed for it.

To the OP, you got involved and tried to help. Not much more could be asked of you.

 

[RoyJackson]

It seems even CPR itself keeps changing as far as the procedures. Please don't take this the wrong way, but it seems at times that CPR classes are nothing more than a money making machine, particularly if you're required to keep yearly certification and don't get reimbursed for it.

The classes I've been to (at work) were given by both paid and volunteer EMTs, so I don't think money was the driving force behind them.
One thing I do think about the lack of success in civilians giving CPR is folks are afraid they'll hurt the victim. We were taught that's it's possible correct chest compressions make break an older persons ribs (and make sure you're two fingers above the sternum!).
We were also taught that it is possible the victim may vomit during CPR...that's pretty yucky, but it washes out.

 

[Sigarms]

The classes I've been to (at work) were given by both paid and volunteer EMTs, so I don't think money was the driving force behind them.
One thing I do think about the lack of success in civilians giving CPR is folks are afraid they'll hurt the victim. We were taught that's it's possible correct chest compressions make break an older persons ribs (and make sure you're two fingers above the sternum!).
We were also taught that it is possible the victim may vomit during CPR...that's pretty yucky, but it washes out.

You're lucky, usually I always had to pay for mine, and I'm required by the state to be certified. I'm not complaining, but for the cost of an open book exam, it is decent money to be made.

I was always under the impression that you run a good chance of breaking ribs no matter what the age of the victim was.

As someone else mentioned, about a 6% success rate without advanced medical treatment which I can believe.

 

[First one]

It seems even CPR itself keeps changing as far as the procedures. Please don't take this the wrong way, but it seems at times that CPR classes are nothing more than a money making machine, particularly if you're required to keep yearly certification and don't get reimbursed for it.

To the OP, you got involved and tried to help. Not much more could be asked of you.

I thank you for writing ,as I'd thank everyone if I could , you all have made me see this differently .

I thought the same thing about the classes before this, and asked why we had to go though this every year. But now I see why you have to, in the heat of stress and everyone panicking you have a hard time trying to think. you almost need to be able to just do it without thinking.
The change from the old way of doing CPR and new way Did make a differentiates in making it easier to keep me remembering just what to do . Even if you ask yourself over and over again after the fact. By staying up to date on these things either by classes or by looking it up on line, you can take some, not all of the don't on what to do.
Thanks for all your support to my family and myself!!

 

[Soundguy]

a commont from a couple posts above on AED / pace makers.

As I understand it, some new 'pace makers' already have a small version of a defib built in, or at least that's how it was explained about the one my granmother just got.

on the cpr issue, my wife's a teacher, and they have to take the classes. last few they now are doing it with no breathing.. just the chest compressions.. I guess the issues are that 1, the chest compressions are moving enough air to make a difference, and 2, less chances of disease.. etc.

I know some first responder training is still giving out the lil plastic mouth piece.. buddy of mine gets the first responder / civy police academy training every 2 ys. e tc.. so my info on that could be outdated by that much time.. etc.

soundguy

 

[RoyJackson]

As I understand it, some new 'pace makers' already have a small version of a defib built in, or at least that's how it was explained about the one my granmother just got.

soundguy

That's correct....mine doesn't, but some do...I was told by a guy who has that type pacemaker that it's a heck of a shock when it does defibrillate.

 

[Soundguy]

that's what my grandmother said. she for sure 'feels' it.

apparrently it safer than external defib. takes less power to kick the heart back to rythm, thus does less damage.

soundguy