CPR for the first time!

[RobertN]

I teach for cost of materials to youth organizations(primarily Boy Scouts). In the FD, I am a volunteer, so that is at no cost. For Scouts, it is part of a commitment I made at an adult leadership class.

Since I got involved with volunteer fire in '99, I've only seen a couple changes, at least at health care provider level; this new version is not used for EMS personnel.

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.

 

[dodge man]

Good job first one. I know you wish the man had made it, but you can feel that much better knowing you tried. As it sits, you aren't left wondering "what if I had helped".

 

[forgeblast]

For training I was told about cpr pro, online training.
Online CPR Certification & CPR Re-Certification | ProCPR.org
We had a friend who was a tester, once you were done you could be tested by her to see if you passed.

 

[Sigarms]

This made the local news.

AP News | JournalNow.com

This news report mentioned paramedics, but another news article I had read on the subject mentioned that multiple medical doctors were on site and tried to revive the runner as well. Guess if your heart was going to give out, if there was any chance of getting help, this guy had the chance that most others wouldn't as far as professional help, and he still didn't make it.

Guess my only point is that when your heart gives for whatever reason, it's not like you see on TV or the movies when someone performs CPR and the person always makes it.

 

[woodchuckie]

I had the privilege of using my never used cpr skills on a nine year old girl who had been under water not breathing for about one minute. She was blue with her eyes and mouth open. I'm not the excitable type and I knew she would be gone if I couldn't help. She responded slowly but surely and returned home after one night in the hospital. You talk about seeing in replay in your mind. All I could think about for weeks was what if I couldn't have helped. I know I didn't do it perfectly but apparently perfect isn't always required I hope I don't need to do it again but I surely won't hesitate to try. You did a great job and I'm sure the experience will help you. You'll never have to think, "What if I had tried"

 

[First one]

I had the privilege of using my never used cpr skills on a nine year old girl who had been under water not breathing for about one minute. She was blue with her eyes and mouth open. I'm not the excitable type and I knew she would be gone if I couldn't help. She responded slowly but surely and returned home after one night in the hospital. You talk about seeing in replay in your mind. All I could think about for weeks was what if I couldn't have helped. I know I didn't do it perfectly but apparently perfect isn't always required I hope I don't need to do it again but I surely won't hesitate to try. You did a great job and I'm sure the experience will help you. You'll never have to think, "What if I had tried"

God bless you for what you did saving her life!!! The feeling of pride in saving her is something you will always remember for the rest of your life. That girl and family will always remember and love you for what you did . You're a hero, whether you think so or not. You don't know how lucky you are that you don't have to see in your mind her not making it.Thank God!
I know I tried ,and would again without thinking twice , I wasn't thinking that when I started CPR that he was going to die , I thought that he'd come around or at least be ok when the Ambulance got there.
Reading all your reply's has helped alot, and I still go back and start reading from were I started this. I get it that is wasn't my felt that he didn't make it.... now. But I still see a man dying ,over and over while I'm working on him and I can't do a dame thing about it. (I don't know what I would have done if it had been a child that didn't make it). This has changed me and how I look at CPR , I know when we go though our class this year , I'll have alot more Q's to ask about what to do in the case of a baby or young child.

 

[MossRoad]

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.

So call up the cardiologist and tell him the gear heads on the tractor board want to know how to hot wire you since you are a newer model with a computer. :thumbsup:

Seriously, though, bodies are like machines. Very very interesting to find out how they work. Always fascinating.

 

[MossRoad]

We were also taught that it is possible the victim may vomit during CPR...that's pretty yucky, but it washes out.

That's true. We lived on a lake. My mom made all of us take Red Cross swimming lessons. All of us became lifeguards at the beach on the lake, local swimming pools, etc...

The lake was an ox-bow lake about a mile long. The beach was at one end. A family came running up to the beach to report a relative was swimming about 1/3 of a mile away from the beach and went under. My sister took off running, ran 1/3 of a mile, dove in and found the guy tangled in weeds. She pulled him in, and another guard started CPR compressions while my sister did the breathing. The guy vomited in her mouth. She promptly vomited and passed out. Several other lifeguards had arrived by then and took over breathing. Unfortunately, the man died a few days later in the hospital. My sister felt pretty bad for the guy, but everyone assured her that she did all she could do. It was kind of amazing that they got a pulse back on him in the first place.

 

[dmccarty]

First One you did what you should have done. I have been taking CPR classes since 9th grade which was many decades ago. In a First Responder class almost two decades ago, the instructor who works at a trauma center and as the head of the county EMT/Paramedics, mentioned the low survival numbers when using CPR. It was the first time I had heard the survival rate and I was surprised at how low it was.

TV and movies show someone getting CPR and the person surviving but it is not reality. But even 5-6% is better than dead.

AEDs seem like a real life saver when available. One of my places of employment does not have them. I think this is because of money and liability issues. I have noticed that Disney World has AEDs all over the place. There is an AED near every bathroom in the parks and resorts.

The training works. Our old city house was small. There was basically one big, open room with the kitchen, living room and dining area. The dining area and living room was separated by our couch. One night I got up to do something with the TV while we were eating. Our child was in a high chair. I heard a noise and looked back to see the kid in the classic choking position with wide eyes and hands to the throat. Just as described in so many training classes. I hopped over the couch pulled our child out of the high chair, turned her face down on my arm and whacked her upper back as I had been trained.

Out popped the big chunk of food. :thumbsup:

It took you longer to read what I said than it did for me to do it. Our kid was fine, I put her back in the chair, and she kept on eating like nothing had happened. :laughing:

The wifey on the other hand aged 10 years and gained quite a few gray hairs.

Given the limited amount of time in CPR classes it is interesting how much of the training sticks with you.

You did what many people would not have done. You gave they guy a chance. Many people do not get a chance. I am sure the man's wife is very grateful for you help with CPR and driving her to the hospital.

Later,
Dan

 

[czechsonofagun]

Excellent job, First One! You did the right thing and he just didnt have it in him to come through - and I like what your wife said too, smart and true.