Imagine yourself having a great time at a cookout with your family discover more. There is a lot of laughter. Uncle Joe collapses and clutches his chest. Fear descends. Are you prepared? CPR can be a valuable tool in this situation.
CPR stands for cardiopulmonary Resuscitation. Even though it isn’t complicated, it can mean the life or death of a person. To do this, you only need a basic level of training. You don’t need to be superhuman.
Imagine this: In this classroom, mannequins have been arranged like an odd plastic army. The instructor uses rapid, forceful pressure to compress the chest of a mannequin. You will initially feel uncomfortable, but soon get used to it. The key to everything is rhythm. Take the Bee Gees song “Stayin Alive”, for example.
Chest compressions ensure that vital organs continue to receive blood if the heart fails. Brain cells start to die within minutes of the flow being cut off. It’s scary to think about. With each compression, you are giving someone back their life.
Let’s discuss breaths, the life-saving ones that are often emphasized in films. You gently tilt back the patient’s neck to open up their airway, and then inhale two times through their mouth. The procedure seems straightforward, but it is easy to make mistakes if you don’t pay attention.
AEDs: Have you heard of them? These wonderful gadgets are called automated external Defibrillators. They shock the heart with electric current to restart it. Even gyms, airports, and shopping centers are beginning to use them. Knowing how to operate one will give you greater confidence when in need.
FACT: Dogs can learn CPR too! In a widely circulated video, a dog is seen giving its owner chest compresses as part of a fictitious training exercise. Our animal companions are able to participate in this exercise.
Do you remember the night your friend choked after eating a steak at dinner? CPR will be helpful in that situation. You can prevent choking with abdominal thrusts – also known as Heimlich maneuver – to remove food stuck in the throat.
Training isn’t only for adults. Children as young at nine or ten years old can learn these techniques. Today, CPR and basic first aid are included in many school curricula. After all, why should adults have the most fun?
While it’s true no one enjoys thinking about the worst scenarios that can happen to themselves or their family members, such as cardiac events or choking incidents, being prepared already gives you the upper hand! It’s reassuring knowing you can influence these circumstances, as opposed to feeling powerless and waiting for paramedics.
Have you ever taken part in a program that teaches participants how to work together practically? You may be surprised that a group CPR session can achieve two objectives at once: promote camaraderie while imparting vital lifesaving skills.
Don’t let your fear of taking classes stop you. Most teachers are honest and will make sure the lessons are fast-paced, interactive, and fun, rather than dry lectures with lots of medical jargon. You’ll never know what you might be able do to help someone save their life if you learn these valuable skills.
Take advantage of the opportunity to learn and grow confidently at a local event. You will be much better prepared. When it comes to our own health and safety, and the safety of others, we should always be prepared and take precautions.