CPR, Rescue Etc.

[AmyJ]

I have never done a poll, so this may not work at all. But what I am wondering is how many of you have used CPR, or other rescue procedures in responding to a diving accident. I am hoping to take rescue soon and am just curious about probablilties of needing it. I don't know how to list the poll questions. I guess they would be something along the lines of

Yes, I have used CPR or 02 responding to a dive accident

I have used basic rescue methods taught in a rescue class in response to a diving accident

I have been involved in or present at the scene of a dive accident, but did not have any accident training at the time

No, I have never been in the situation where I have needed to aid in a dive accident

Okay.. the poll stuff came up, but then it went away! Sorry I made a mess of this!

 

[medic001918]

To answer your poll question, I have never used CPR in a diving situation. I am also a paramedic and have never had to respond to a diving incident due to the fact that the area I work is where few people dive (busy city with one river along the edge that people tend not to dive).
Now, that being said. There would be valuable information for anyone in a CPR, O2 provider or first aid course. It can be quite overwhelming to think of how you would react if you were placed into a situation of needing to use it. I assure it all comes back to you when you need it. You will be nervous if you do need to use it, but it's better to know that you did your best then to wonder what you should have done and if you could have helped someone.
Having a career in EMS, I tend to think that CPR should be a requirement to graduate high school since there are four critical steps to the American Heart Assocation's chain of survival, and "early CPR" is one of those steps, along with "early defib" which I believe AED use is included in the general CPR guidelines now since AED's are becoming more popular in airports and other public locations.
Good luck.
Shane

 

[AmyJ]

I have been CPR, First Aid cert just forever (Worked as a nurse tech in a hospital), but have never used any of it. Just wondering how the odds change when you start diving. Thanks

 

[Scubaguy62]

I had to rescue a panicked diver at the surface, and had to administer emergency O2 once, as a precaution, to a diver both my instructor and I suspected had DCI.

 

[Bob3]

The probability of needing the skills is low, but in my very biased opinion CPR/First Aid should be part of the basic scuba certification.

 

[Randy43068]

Thanks for the info. I've never used CPR or first aid for that matter, other than bandaging some minor wounds, and holding someone's head still at a car crash scene. I'm glad, however, you said the training will come back when needed. It's not something I dwell on, but makes me a little nervous when I think of having to use CPR or any other lifesaving skill I was taught in the police academy and MFA class.


R.

To answer your poll question, I have never used CPR in a diving situation. I am also a paramedic and have never had to respond to a diving incident due to the fact that the area I work is where few people dive (busy city with one river along the edge that people tend not to dive).
Now, that being said. There would be valuable information for anyone in a CPR, O2 provider or first aid course. It can be quite overwhelming to think of how you would react if you were placed into a situation of needing to use it. I assure it all comes back to you when you need it. You will be nervous if you do need to use it, but it's better to know that you did your best then to wonder what you should have done and if you could have helped someone.
Having a career in EMS, I tend to think that CPR should be a requirement to graduate high school since there are four critical steps to the American Heart Assocation's chain of survival, and "early CPR" is one of those steps, along with "early defib" which I believe AED use is included in the general CPR guidelines now since AED's are becoming more popular in airports and other public locations.
Good luck.
Shane

 

[freediver]

having been in the lifeguard industry for nearly 20 years, I have used the skills on occasion. Fortunately, having taught it for nearly 20 years as well, has made me very comfortable when the need has arisen. As others have said it is great to have the training but I would quickly say that it isn't enough just to go through the class without continually rehearsing your skills. As I tell the lifeguard and rescue diver candidates, you can go through life hoping nothing will ever happen but always expect that something will. Preparation is key to confidence.

 

[Cudabait]

Yes to CPR (even old back pressure arm lift method)...Yes to rescue..also self rescue. It definately pays off and I agree with Bob3 above.

Regards,