CPR so you think you are doing it right !

[freediver]

BTW chest compressions don't "restart" the heart as is stated in the article.....Early defib followed by early ACLS is the key to survival.

Asystole (flat-line rhythm) occurs when the heart's electrical system intrinsically fails. This follows untreated ventricular fibrillation (which is why we "defibrillate"). This defib is an attempt to place the heart back into a productive rhythm. Asystole will not be benefitted by defibrillation. In this type of event the only chance, yep you guessed it, is through external heart massage (chest compressions).

 

[Wildcard]

Before you try to correct some one who has been doing this crap there whole life (Saw my first in field CPR at age 7) You might want to read the orginal post. Here is what I was talking about!
"Among the problems commonly cited: Rescuers did not push hard enough or frequently enough on the victim's chest to restart the heart, and breathed air into the lungs too often _ either mouth-to-mouth or through breathing tubes."

 

[freediver]

Before you try to correct some one who has been doing this crap there whole life (Saw my first in field CPR at age 7) You might want to read the orginal post. Here is what I was talking about!
"Among the problems commonly cited: Rescuers did not push hard enough or frequently enough on the victim's chest to restart the heart, and breathed air into the lungs too often _ either mouth-to-mouth or through breathing tubes."

Sorry Wildcard, not correcting, just saw an opportunity to segue into a little more depth into revival attempts. I teach over 40 CPR courses per year and have been doing so for 20 years and I could SPELL CPR at age three! Beat that! Seriously, just like for people to stay informed and stay "abreast" with compressions. Didn't mean to step on your sternum..uhhh toes.

 

[skeet]

I guess it is on the rebound, just heard about it in June/04 from a medical director in the Metroplex.

 

[Wildcard]

I'll try to beat that, started teaching CPR at age 14 at the second annual "Start a Heart" marathon in 1979. I try not to confuse the lay public with little facts like defib stops the heart, not starts it and such things. Just the facts, pump and blow ( and that part is going away very soon!) and perfect cadence and counting realy just don't matter. Air way is much more important and NOBODY gets that right without a tube in.

 

[Wildcard]

I guess it is on the rebound, just heard about it in June/04 from a medical director in the Metroplex.

These things come and go several times before dying a slow death. How many times have MAST pants been pulled only to be replaced 6 months later? Thus the "Practice" of medicine.

 

[String]

Not PADI bashing here but related, does the rescue diver course include cpr, AV and mouth-nose as well as -mouth techniques or is that reserved for another course?

 

[Wildcard]

You need CPR and first aid to take rescue diver so It's not included.

 

[String]

OK. Explains the contradictions i'd found reading elsewhere.

 

[skeet]

Yep, I have seen that happen around here and i've only been in the business for 3 years. We still have an 02 powered Thumper on one of the medics.