Do you know how to do CPR ?

Literally just been on a first aid course today and got another day tomorrow. Had learned CPR before for a pool safety course. but today was a lot more info from a highly trained ex-paramedic, who also highlighted the importance of first trying to clear blocked airways- he said about 60% of CPR could be avoided or is not needed, if signs of blocked airways were noticed and dealt with earlier. i hope i never need to use it, but actually felt confident enough after today that if i needed to i could use CPR.
he told us the government are trying to get more defibrillators, and the ones some places do have literally are automatic, all you do if place pads in correct place and press a button, he says it is practically idiot proof!
if you do have to administer CPR you should see a councilor to help work through the shock and possible guilt if it doesn't work. he told us a story of a lady who sadly could not resuscitate a little baby and felt guilty, he actually managed to find the medical records and it had a brain tumor larger than a golf ball so sadly she could not have saved the baby, which was vital for her to learn so she didn't forever live with the guilt or feel scared to try CPR in the future.
 
Yes I am, as I'm St. John's trained so need to be for that. I also work in a hospital and am a student (allied health professions).
 
Yes to CPR, I'm an emergency 1st aider at work. I've been shown how to use a defibrillator and I would give it a shot if I had to, the machines are great, they do it all for you, you just have to press the buttons when it tells you.

I think CPR should be compulsory at high school.
 
soulfull said:
As a medic i was Just wondering how many do or don't know how to perform CPR. If yes do you also know how to use a defibrillator or do you know how simple they are to use?!

Another if yes how/where we're you taught ie work/club or tv!

Thanks
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Yes to CPR, I went on a First Aid course recently as it was too long since I'd done one. It was well taught and I am confident that I'd be able to do it in the (hopefully unlikely) event that I had to...#
No to defibrilator though.
 
I was very surprised how many defibs are about in the local area, I got a list when I did my training. ( not 100% sure but if you ring 999 they tell you if there is one near ) I have one with me when on call. I think schools should be teaching CPR at the very least. I've told my hubby everything I know not sure if he took any notice though.
 
Yes I can do cpr and I am also defib trained, we decided at work although we are not a huge site it was best practice to have a defib on site, really useful life skills
 
Another that practices CPR and basic life support a fair amount.
Mainly on naughty newborns not wanting to exclaim to the world they are here and need a bit of a hand, luckily 99% of the time they sort themselves out quickly.
 
No to both - and worryingly I seem to be the only one! :( We were taught very, very briefly in secondary school but it was so long ago I can't remember it and we never made notes or anything useful to look back on. It's something I really want to know how to do, I've been meaning to book myself onto a first aid course for some time now.
 
I'm sure there are others too. Well done for admitting it
Maybe there is a local group od some sort that would teach you
You could also ring you ambulance service see I'd they are taking part in the heartstart programme
Meanwhile take a look at YouTube how to perform CPR. It will at least give you some idea

When someone dials 999 For someone with suspected cardiac problems they will be informed if there is a defib nearby. They are so easy to use as they talk to you. And it's impossible to give someone a shock unless they need it.
 
starryeyed said:
No to both - and worryingly I seem to be the only one! :( We were taught very, very briefly in secondary school but it was so long ago I can't remember it and we never made notes or anything useful to look back on. It's something I really want to know how to do, I've been meaning to book myself onto a first aid course for some time now.
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I don't either properly! I learnt at Guides like er, 15 years ago, but they seem to change the number of compressions etc, what is the formula people use these days? I know how to do mouth to mouth/nose and where to do the compressions, so I suspect the number is less important in an emergency situation. It's not that difficult really I don't think.

I don't know how to use a defib, would love to know though.
 
Regularly do respiratory resuscitation on preterm and newborn, you don't use a defib on a neonate. No heart rate then you give Chest compressions and start giving them drugs.
 
Yes to CPR (workplace first-aider). Instructors have been very keen to warn us that doing it isn't a pleasant experience but luckily i've never had to yet. Not trained to use a defib (workplace doesn't have one) but would be happy to give it a go as the first aid instructor gave us a brief explanation and assured us that they are very easy to use.

I do think that first aid should be taught in schools. It would save lives and it would also give kids self-confidence to know they had such valuable skills. Not just CPR but also choking, major bleeds, burns, shock and basics of fractures.
 
mandwhy said:
I don't either properly! I learnt at Guides like er, 15 years ago, but they seem to change the number of compressions etc, what is the formula people use these days? I know how to do mouth to mouth/nose and where to do the compressions, so I suspect the number is less important in an emergency situation. It's not that difficult really I don't think.

I don't know how to use a defib, would love to know though.
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The rate is 30-2 So 30 compressions. 2 breaths. at 100-120 per min. Which ironically can be done in time to the song 'staying alive'
However continued chest compressions without breaths is also fine. The theory is that the
Body stores enough oxygen to last a while
 
I was a Surf Lifesaver for 8 years.

I know CPR, Defib, Oxygen and Spinals. Although my Bronze Medallion is a higher qualification and covers the same skills and more than a Senior First Aid certificate, I still have to have the Senior First Aid cert. In order to be able to use the oxygen provided by my workplace, I have to go and do another course, "Advanced Senior First Aid" (it covers using Oxygen and that is is...) which IMO is kind of silly as I already am competant in using it.
Gotta love red tape. At least work is paying for it and I also still get paid whilst attending the course. :)
 
In therory yes to CPR but I was taught when I was 9, I'm now almost 28! Every job I've had was supposedly going to send me on a first aid course but despite repeatedly asking and being the only one there on a regular basis with locums I was never sent on one!

There is a defib in all the bus shelters round us, I know I can just go grab it and it will talk me through
 
Yes to CPR. The answer to defib is more complicated: yes, I can do it, and as a scientist who has actively researched the process in the past understand the mechanism better than most (have two working defibrillators next door - one suitable for paediatric use, one purely experimental which I was involved in designing). However, I am not certified to use one, so wouldn't.
 
I actually did the st johns three day course at school so some are doing it! That was years ago obviously and I have been refreshed several times since but it was something we did as part of our PDP.

Kind of assumed it was normal but sounds like my school were rather odd!
 
Yes worked for 25 years as a lifeguard and swimming teacher. Never had to use it, but feel I would be able to do so if need be. I have used mouth to mouth on a small baby that stopped breathing due to a fit, but as we got to her very quickly she started breathing again almost as soon as I started. I dont work in swimming pools any more but have done the first aid at work course in my employment in an office. We have a defibrillator at our local Co-op store. It is outside the shop so I suppose it would be there if needed. I only hope the local vandals dont get at it.
 
fburton said:
Yes to CPR. The answer to defib is more complicated: yes, I can do it, and as a scientist who has actively researched the process in the past understand the mechanism better than most (have two working defibrillators next door - one suitable for paediatric use, one purely experimental which I was involved in designing). However, I am not certified to use one, so wouldn't.
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Obviously don't know about the ones at your works. But the public access defibs anyone can use them you do not need training

The public defibs are being introduced in lots of areas because as someone said CPR on its own is often not enough

We had a wonderful success whereby we installed a defib at local sports club and taught members. Within a week it was used when a man had a cardiac arrest (confirmed by a doctor who was on screne) . When the ambulance arrived he was sat up talking :)
 
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