Can you .....

rasdoggy · 05-01-2005

The numbers out there show that 7 out of 10 people can jump start my car and 3 out of 10 can jump start my heart...

Where do you fit in and what if it wasn't me but a family member???
It's a skill you need to know but never want to need.

cstork · 05-01-2005

I've needed to jump start cars probably 20 times in my life. Never needed to do CPR. I've heard that in 4 out of 5 heart attacks where CPR is administered the patient dies anyway.

I never had to take a training course or a refresher course to jump start my car. I took a CPR course 20 years ago and a refresher 5 years ago. Now how often should I take a refresher? Once a year? I'd rather spend my time fighting the damn republican party. It's more likely to save lives.

rasdoggy · 05-01-2005

You stand a better chance with CPR...

Camiona · 05-01-2005

I am cpr, wilderness first responder, and swiftwater rescue certified. I like to be prepared

(IE you're safe with me!!!! as long as I don't need rescued we're all set!)

Knowing how to respond in an emergency makes me feel much safer when out on the river or trail. I haven't had to use any of my skills other than splinting a broken toe, but if I ever need them, i'll be glad I spent the time and money to learn the medical and rescue techniques.

so, there's my 2 cents

rasdoggy · 05-01-2005

That is a 2 cents well spent...

I have had to use my Medical training more times than I care to think about, hope this posting urges just one person to learn...
Nothing like watching a person turn blue.

I guess a person could think about CPR like a Throw bag, I don't ever use it so why do I need to practice it.

Camiona · 05-01-2005

what kind of medical training do you have? in what situations have you had to use it? did something recently happen that made you want to post this and get others to get trained?

(war stories, you know

)

Andy H. · 05-01-2005

Before I got a Subaru I jump started cars plenty and have had to give CPR once in my life. I remember the way that my heart sank when I opened up the guy's shirt up and saw a 10-inch scar from his previous bypass surgery and thought about the half-eaten pastrami footlong and chips on his desk. Then I remembered that statistically a CPR patient's chances of survival were about 40%. It was years after I'd had my course, I did a ratio of pushes to breaths that is now obsolete, & probably would've gotten a C- or D if I'd been graded on technique. Despite all this I was managed to keep the guy's blood oxygeneated and circulating long enough for the EMTs to bring him back so he could live another year or two with his family before his heart went out for good.

Its a skill I hope I never need to use again but will willingly use and will take refresher courses for when I get the chance.

Worth a lot more than 2 cents.

--Andy

rasdoggy · 05-01-2005

Nothing has happened other than me doing some reading about what is required to be a kayaking Inst.

For the last 20+ years I was a SCUBA Inst. and taught Basic First Aid/CPR during that time I was involved in several near drownings, involving people doing everything from being stupid to following the rules.

I had a student have an asthma attack at 60ft by the time I got her to the surface she was turning blue we got her to the shore and got her breathing, had another diver fill their lungs full of water and got to spend 8 hours with her till air evac got to where we were, went thru 2 welding size o2 bottles with her she turned blue on me 3 times, watched a guy collapse in a restaurant we beat on his chest but he was gone.

A few broken bones while being on a boat crew, some serious rope burns and lots of neosporin and duct tape till we could get people to med treatment for stitches.Big splinters and lots of hypothermia.
The last was giving a good friend the Heimlich while we were at dinner one night a few years ago.

Just kinda wondering who out there knows how to be a good buddy I guess.

Camiona · 05-01-2005

wow.

that's all I have to say!

Gary E · 05-01-2005

Interesting subject...With a drowning your chances of survival are around 1% with cpr..That would be my guess as you would need to jump start the heart with a shock...Giving cpr too a drowned victim is very unlikely or pretty much impossible to bring them back...So if someone is cpr trained,I don't feel safer than with someone who is'nt...Sure if you do the things we do you should educate yourself in techniques and knowledge to help others,I just think cpr is'nt gonna be a helpful factor in our sport..
Gary