Bestest Friend and I are doing a blog project. Every day we will write a blog post on a pre-determined theme chosen by a random noun generator. The theme for the twenty-second day of the month is "Safety."
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A while back, I saw somebody take a bad fall in public. It looked like they were bleeding pretty badly. They were with a group of people and someone was immediately on their cell phone, so I just exited the situation, knowing I was not going to be helpful at all. But it got me started thinking that I don't really know what to do in real health emergencies.
I started looking into taking a First Aid and CPR class, but there were a few things that made it prohibitive for me. One, the cost at our local community center was kind of steep (although, what is the price for saving a life - apparently once it's over $100 is the answer for me). Second, the community college website is super hard to navigate and I couldn't figure out how to both register and pay. Third, I was not pumped about being in a classroom with unmasked people for several long evenings. So I never signed up.
But my current employer offered a free CPR class last week for an hour and a half. So I went. And I learned CPR. So now I have a much better idea of what to do if someone has a cardiac event when I'm around.
Up next, figure out a no or low cost way to learn basic First Aid.
Are you safety certified? If someone was unresponsive around you, would you know what to do?
I am not safety certified. I've never thought about it, to be honest. I am aware of what I'm supposed to do though. My husband is food safety certified which is another one of those good to know things.
ReplyDeleteI had no idea of a lot of what I was supposed to do until this course, so I'm glad I took it.
DeleteOh good for you! This is a great skill to have! I was safety certified a million years ago for a babysitting course I took at our local hospital -- it has surely expired by now, but at least I know the basics. My husband and I were at a parade a few years ago when someone had a seizure. He kind of hung around at the edges, watching the people perform CPR and I asked him why he didn't say he was a doctor or try to help. He said a) the people there seemed to know what they were doing, and he didn't want to intrude/interrupt and b) he WAS trying to help, by standing there to relieve the person doing the chest compressions when she got tired. He said it is incredibly physically draining and it's good to have a backup nearby. The CPR was successful and an ambulance showed up very quickly, so it all worked out, but it was an interesting lesson for me in how to "help" without barging in!
ReplyDeleteIt IS really exhausting. We were using mannequins that had little lights on them to tell you if you were pushing hard enough and at the right pace. We only did it for about sixty seconds at a time and I can't imagine having to do it for much longer. I'm glad I took the class because now I know that and hopefully can get other people to help do things (like call 911) ASAP because I wouldn't be able to keep it up for very long.
DeleteI am certified in CPR, but it was a while ago. I would definitely do it if I had to- but I'm also a little afraid of doing it wrong so I would probably let someone else lead the way if possible. Let's just hope it never comes up.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely let's hope that we don't need to actually implement it!
DeleteI took CPR years ago, but forget so many of the details. That's the thing - it really does take regular training. My daughter recently got basic CPR at a babysitting course and I honestly think if someone was dying they'd be safer with her in charge than me. I really should look up a few YouTube videos to remind me of the basics. I think they say do chest compressions to the beat of Stayin' Alive? I hope I'm remembering that properly because can you imagine a better song to be singing in your heard as you're trying to keep someone ALIVE?!
ReplyDeleteI had to laugh at this: "although, what is the price for saving a life - apparently once it's over $100 is the answer for me"
Yes, they do recommend the beat of "Stayin' Alive." It's pretty fast, actually!
DeleteI'm glad it's something that's included in babysitting and scout courses and things. The younger generation is really going to know how to do it all.
Good for you!! I have been CPR certified forever due to my nurse training, of course, but believe it or not- my current RN role doesn't require me to update my CPR certification!! (I work remotely...). But still, as a Registered Nurse, I feel really weird about not having an active, current CPR certification. I think I'm going to tell them I want to attend the renewal course this year! It just bothers me that it has lapsed. Things do change, and a refresher course is important.
ReplyDeleteYes, a refresher course is super important, I bet, although my guess is that your other training would certainly help you out in any emergent situation.
DeleteI've gotten CPR training a few times, but TBH I don't remember anything and I also think in the heat of the moment that I'd forget everything. I know it's not a great answer but...I'd be totally lost if something happened.
ReplyDeleteI know. After I saw that person fall, I realized that I would be a hindrance and needed to step up my game. I'm glad I did the class, but I hope I never have to implement anything I learned.
DeleteI do not know how to do CPR! I would be useless in an emergency. My company offered CPR classes this fall but the times never worked so I wasn't able to attend. But I hope they offer the classes again.
ReplyDeleteIf you get a chance to take one, I think it's worth the time. Hopefully you'll never need it, but if you did need it and never took the time, I think it would be heartbreaking.
DeleteI've had a couple theatre companies pay for me to take a CPR/First Aid class, the latest being maybe 5 years ago, so it probably isn't still current. What I was struck by, though, was if you end up using the AED defibrillator, the machine tells you what to do so you don't have to remember how many whats for how many counts of what have you. I thought that was comforting.
ReplyDeleteWhen I was a teenager, they taught us CPR as part of my regular swimming lessons. Back then, we had to practice on each other, which kind of grossed me out. I mean you didn't have to blow air into anyone's mouth but you did have to get really close to them and pretend.
Those mannequins, though a little creepy, are probably a better option.
We're required to take CPR/First Aid every two (?) years at work. I still feel unsure if I would be able to "perform" the right things in an emergency, but I feel better for having taken the classes.
ReplyDeleteThis is exactly how I feel. Hopefully someone else with more expertise would be around, but I feel better knowing some of the basics.
DeleteI did surf lifesaving as a teenager so I learnt a fair bit of first aid for that but I let it slide until a few years ago. My daughter was faiting when she ran and she saw a cardiologist who made the comment that since we had a pool we should know CPR. So I went and did a first aid course then. I probably need to do a refresher, although we odn't have a pool now we live not far from the beach. It's also worthwhile knowing where the nearest AED is.
ReplyDeleteYes, it was actually a CPR/AED class. If there's an AED, it's awesome because it tells you what to do. Unfortunately, you can't count on one being handy.
DeleteI had to do a course during my education. But that was so long ago. I should really do a refresher. It's a good skill to have so good for you.
ReplyDeleteThanks! If you get a chance to do a refresher, I think that would be awesome.
DeleteI took CPR a long time ago and should probably refresh given I work with seniors. I remember that pumping someone's chest should be to the beat of Staying Alive.
ReplyDeleteYes, they suggested Stayin' Alive, but it turns out that I don't really know that song? LOL.
DeleteFor First Aid, check with your local city government. Sometimes the library or town hall will run free classes.
ReplyDeleteI have been CPR certified ever since my teenage lifeguarding days. Now I have some advance certifications but I've only ever had to use skills outside of the medical center once. A man was choking in a Florida restaurant and I performed the Heimlich. I tired after a bit and a man took over. I was standing next to the choking guy and realized there was a partial obstruction. I know this isn't recommend in general guidelines but I know my way around the tongue base. I put my finger in along the side and hooked a HUGE piece of steak and scooped it out of his mouth. It turns out the guy has some neuro issues so not only could he not cut his food, he couldn't swallow a big bite. People usually cut his food for him, but not that night. Anyway, he lived to see another day! And I went to wash my hands since I didn't have gloves and had mouth juice, steak, and a little bit of vomit on my finger. No big deal, that's what soap and water is for!
Good for you staying cool under pressure! What a scary situation and I'm so happy you were able to save his life.
DeleteLike Kae, I have had multiple trainings in the past but none recently, as my job doesn't require it either (although it does require a current RN license...). I have kept up with the evolution of the bystander approach, though, and really appreciate the focus on chest compressions, vs expecting non-health-care-adjacent peeps to do mouth to mouth. Also AEDs. Game. Changer. Glad you did this - it seems like something most adults should go through at SOME point. Even outdated knowledge is knowledge.
ReplyDelete