Nov 23 2008
CPR
Recently, I completed training for Red Cross certification in CPR and AED. CPR stands for cardio-pulmonary resuscitation (restoring heartbeat and breathing) and AED is the acronym for Automated External Defibrillator (how to operate). What seriously daunting responsibilities.
CPR in the Red Cross method differs slightly for adults, children, and infants. The number of compressions and rescue breaths remain the same, regardless of the patient’s size or age. However, the depth of the compression and the way it is administered vary. On an infant, one uses a few fingers, not two full hands, to press the breastbone down about one-half an inch. For a child, the familiar two-handed straight arm push is used to compress one to one and a half inches down. Adult compressions must be a whopping two inches into the chest. Although that requires much force on the part of the responder, the infusion of adrenalin in such an emergency should help considerably.
The AED devices are called idiot-proof. It was quite comforting to hear all the instructions given by the mysterious voice inside the machine. Nonetheless, skill is required to assess whether an AED is needed. Furthermore, one must possibly perform CPR while the device powers up.
I found these to be somber, but quite useful skills. I think it would be very worthwhile to eliminate some of the Algebra 2 from state “no child left behind” tests for high school graduation and replace it with competencies such as these.
