Can You Perform CPR?
By villageanne
@villageanne (8553)
United States
February 25, 2008 6:49am CST
My husband teaches Standard First Aid & CPR. I am constantly amazed at the people who do not even want to learn how to perform CPR. I really cannot understand this as it could save a family members life sometime. It has been successful in saving many peoples life.
Procedure to perform CPR on an Adult:
Performing CPR is not difficult to do. You only need to know how. You do need to be a trained individual to administer mouth-to-mouth resuscitation to the patient. You do this by blowing air directly into the patient's mouth. The patient's chest is pressed in a regular rhythm to help restore heartbeat.
1. Position the adult so that he is lying on his back.
2. Open the airway by placing one hand on the forehead and lifting the chin with your other hand.
3. Gently tilting the head backward, pinch the patient's nose and cover his mouth with yours.
4. Breathe twice into his mouth; until you see the chest rise. Breaths should be about one second each.
Administer chest compressions.
1. Place the heel of one hand palm down on the chest, with the other hand on top.
2. Straighten your arms and lock your elbows; begin pressing down in a straight motion. The compressions should be about two inches deep.
3. Push hard, push fast, at a rate of 100 compressions/minute
Allow the chest to rise completely in between compressions
Minimize interruption between compressions
After 30 compressions, give two rescue breaths.
4. Continue cycle of 30 compressions and 2 breaths until the help arrives or it becomes unsafe to continue or the victim regains consciousness and is able to breathe.
Can you perform CPR?
Have you ever had to use CPR to save a life?
Do you think learning CPR is important or a waste of your time?
4 people like this
18 responses
@lilaclady (28207)
• Australia
25 Feb 08
I learnt the hard way, when a special friend had a heart attack, I had to ring the emergency service and direct a friend on what to do but unfortunately it was too late, its a good thing to know and it is also a good idea to carry a plastic mouth shield for such emergencies, as it can be very messy which is one thing they never seem to show in the movies or tell you about when learning...
@pergammano (7682)
• Canada
26 Feb 08
About 2 1/2 years ago the procedure changed in Canada. It is really important to get updated.
1 person likes this
@jpso138 (7851)
• Philippines
29 Mar 08
Well, the procedure was change last October 2005. I believe that this applies to every country most especially in the United States since the committee who change the program held the presentation in Texas. After the committee gathered the results of CPR and other lifesaving procedure, they release updates and new guidelines. The committee will meet again on 2010. So if assuming that there will be a changed that would be by the year 2010.
@villageanne (8553)
• United States
26 Feb 08
The American Red Cross just changed the procedure for CPR in 2007. We had to purchase all new DVD's for the class as well as new books.
1 person likes this
@Debs_place (10520)
• United States
25 Feb 08
I am an EMT and CPR certified. I think it would be a good thing if more people learned CPR and AED were more available in public places and less costly for people to have them in their homes.
2 people like this
@villageanne (8553)
• United States
26 Feb 08
I would love to have an AED. This year it is a mandatory part of the SFA/CPR class. They are making it a law that many jobs have to have one on site. They were talking about making loggers have one. I dont know if that law passed or not. They are very expensive but oh so nice
2 people like this
@pergammano (7682)
• Canada
26 Feb 08
In British Columbia, depending on the danger rating of the work, there must be a certified Level 3 Emergency Medical Aid on the job site at all times. Logging, falling it's 1/10! Some professions 1/20! It is mandated by B.C. Worker's Board.
1 person likes this
@sunshinelady (7609)
• United States
25 Feb 08
Learning CPR is very important. A person never knows when a family may need the use of your knowledge to save their life's. I had to learn CPR at the job I used to work at in a nursing home but even not working there any longer I keep my CPR training up to date. Not just for family members a person never knows when they may run up on a accident and this may be the very thing that saves their life's. No I don't think learning CPR is a waste of time but very valuable training to have.
3 people like this
@pergammano (7682)
• Canada
25 Feb 08
I was a EMA III for 13 yrs, the Island that I live on! I have done my share of CPR!
I think each and every person, should learn CPR!
But I also believe CPR should be a mandatory course in all schools! The children could come home and teach their parents. The parents could get their certificate at the next PTA meeting. Children love to teach their parents.
I also feel, as our society ages, we all should be taught the signs & symptoms of stroke, as the Golden Hour is so important here, too!
2 people like this
@villageanne (8553)
• United States
26 Feb 08
I too think it should be taught in the school systems. I think it should be every year. My husband is an EMT-M
I get upset when people will call here wanting to pay for the class and not take it. I always say "no, I am sorry but you must take the class to get your card". Why do people not understand the real need for this class?
1 person likes this
@pergammano (7682)
• Canada
26 Feb 08
Once again, as you point out, if this were initiated in the school system (Sorry,don't want to take your income away) then from day one, all would be made aware of what a life-saving (extending) tool this valuable knowledge is. Wonder if even making it part of Driver's License program, would help. I know it wouldn't be the answer, but every step in the right direction is a help. I think you have set me off on a goal. Let's make noise, and keep each other posted.
1 person likes this
@winterose (39887)
• Canada
26 Feb 08
I often said that I wanted to learn but you know I never did, I just don't know why I put it off, it is always good to know
1 person likes this
@p3halliwel2005 (3156)
• Philippines
25 Feb 08
Yes I know CPR works . Thanks for posting it though it helps me retain what I learn. I have never used it on anyone. I think learning CPR is very important. It saves lives and in a situation that there's just you and the victim there you should know what to do in case of emergencies like that.
@stephcjh (38473)
• United States
25 Feb 08
I had to learn CPR for a place I used to work at that had juveniles there. I thought it was a good thing to know and learn at the time but I have forgot alot of it now. I'm sure it would have came in handy if I ever had to use it.
I think it is a good thing to learn and know and not a waste of time if you can save a life.
2 people like this
@wisedragon (2325)
• Philippines
25 Feb 08
As a healthcare professional I underwent training in CPR and standard first aid from the Red Cross. It's very important. It could be a loved one's life you save. I haven't had a chance to do CPR in a real-life situation though.
One time I did get a chance to do the Heimlich maneuver on my father. He choked while we were having lunch at home. I was able to save his life and I will forever be thankful for my training.
2 people like this
@bcote212 (1112)
• United States
25 Feb 08
I used to work on a cruise ship, and part of our training was that we needed to take a CPR class prior to ever touching the ship. The reason being, when we were out at sea, there was only one doctor onboard the ship, and two nurses. It was important that each of the staff be able to perform this duty. Also in the case of an evacuation, or a man overboard. It is so important that I do not understand why this is not a class that each student should take while they are in school.
@villageanne (8553)
• United States
26 Feb 08
I had never really thought about a cruise ship. I bet you do have to use it quite a lot there. How did you like working on a cruise ship. I have never been on one. I am afraid of water. They would have to sedate me to get me on a ship. LOL
1 person likes this
@lexus54 (3572)
• Singapore
26 Feb 08
I have been taught CPR before when I was in the Navy. That was many years ago, but I can still remember the main procedure, although in real life, I have not had to apply it before. I hope I never will have to.
Recently, in a condominium near my home, two young girls went down to the swimming pool early in the morning, around 6am, to swim. They were initially in the shallow end of the pool, but after a while, they progressed to the deep end without realising it. They thought that the pool was of a consistent depth. After going in, the girls got into trouble, and were soon struggling in the water. At that time of the morning, there was only one other elderly man. Luckily he came to their rescue when alerted by a third person, quickly pulled one girl out and found the other at the bottom of the pool. By the time he pulled the second one out, she was looking bluish. He applied CPR on this girl, and that saved her life, but only just. She could have been drowned had the man not known how to apply CPR, because no one else was around to react quickly to the danger. The girls' mother was so grateful to the man for saving her daughters' lives.
CPR is indeed a great life skill to learn, even if you do not really have to use it.
2 people like this
@owatagoosiam (751)
• United States
25 Feb 08
Um.. don't you have to have some certificate to perform CPR. Something about a good Samaritan law. Just reading how to perform CPR might convince someone they are qualified to perform CPR and -- if they do it wrong because they haven't done any guided instruction -- that might be bad.
I have an idea how to do it, but I am no longer certified. I don't work at a hospital, so I don't get refresher courses.
2 people like this
@grunge_avenged (552)
• Canada
25 Feb 08
Yes I CAN perform CPR .. I learned it in 2004 (when I was in grade 9). However, I have NOT actually "performed" it before..
@copperkitten (3473)
• United States
25 Feb 08
I know how. In 7th grade we had swimming class in school instead of gym. They taught us how to preform CPR. Then when I was 16 I took an EMT course and learned again. I can preform adullt and child CPR. Which does come in handy. When my first son was 8 months he swallowed a penny. Because I had learned what to do I didnt panic. I got the penny out by turning him upside down and "smacking" his back. The penny poped out but he was till blue. I layed him down and preformed CPR. It only took a couple breaths and he was breathing. Thanx to my training I saved my sons life. If I wouldnt have had the training who knows what woulkd have happen.
CPR is very easy to learn and do if needed. I feel everyone should learn it.
1 person likes this
@howard96h (11640)
• New York, New York
1 Apr 08
This is an excellent discussion you started and I wish more people would learn CPR. I learned it when I became an EMT and it is training that you will have for the rest of your life. I too wish schools would include this training for their students. Great post!
@Grandmaof2 (7579)
• Canada
26 Feb 08
Learning CPR and first aide is something I had to do to maintain my job and I'm glad I went through with it. I have never felt it a waste of my time at all but I thank God I have never had to use it. The one very important thing my instructor told our class was we will never be forced to use CPR if we don't feel we are ready but once you start YOU MUST FINISH. She stressed that to us.
1 person likes this
@jpso138 (7851)
• Philippines
29 Mar 08
You have mentioned that your husband teaches First aid and CPR, I myself is an instructor for such courses. I have been approved by an American Institute to issue completion cards. Prior to this, I worked with our local rescue unit and have been responding to all sorts of emergencies from medical to fire to rescue. Considering my job, I have done a lot of CPR to many victims including Advance Cardiac Life Support. I do believe that CPR is very important since all other actions would fail if CPR is not started immediately.
