16. Learn CPR

Completed: 04/11/2013

Partners in my quest for CPR certification

This is one of the more practical items on my bucket list. I wanted to learn a useful skill, thus wanting to learn how to properly perform CPR to potentially save a life.

In researching where I could go to take a CPR class, I was actually quite bummed to learn that it cost so much to learn this life-saving skill (it ranged from $40 to about $80). Since Castle Medical Center provided the cheapest rate, I chose to go there on a Thursday morning to take the class. On this day, my sister accompanied me to learn CPR (for adults, children, and infants) with training for using an AED (a defibrillator machine) as well as how to help those who are choking (adults, children, and infants).

Our instructors were Doug and Ed, retired firemen who were humorous, funny, and who I could picture being great firemen who knew their stuff and could make you feel safe. Our class consisted of only 7 students, so we each had our own set of adult and infant mannequins to work with.

Our training was done mainly through a video series by the American Heart Association, but interspersed with re-emphasis of major points and stories by Doug and Ed.

Learning CPR is not as simple as it looks. We were told that the main things to be aware of in performing proper CPR are:

-Start with compressions, above the end of the middle of the rib cage. Press two inches deep at a rate of 100 beats per minute (do a count of 30).

-Tilt head back to open the airway up and then give two breaths. Make sure to watch if the chest rises, but make sure not to blow too quick/much air as to not upset stomach contents (which may end up as vomit).

-Make sure not to stop compressions for more than ten seconds; if air is not successfully blown into the patient, then go back to compressions rather than trying to blow until successful.

-At any time when the defibrillator arrives, stop CPR to use. Luckily, technology is advanced enough so that instructions are clearly verbalized so you don't need to remember the specific steps. But under pressure, it can be difficult to remain attentive to the details.

-When assisting someone who you think is choking, be sure to ask if the person is choking and get their permission before performing the Heimlich maneuver (Good Samaritan laws where you might get in trouble for battery if you happen to mistakenly help someone who didn't actually need it).

-For children and infants, in addition to using less pressure since they have smaller bodies, try to administer CPR prior to calling 911 for help (only if alone) since children tend to have healthier hearts and so CPR may be more beneficial first.

It was kind of tough to perform CPR; doing compressions was tiring, and blowing air down the mannequin's airway isn't easy either. Even the process of assessing a situation and determining whether to administer CPR consists of quite a number of steps that would be easy to forget in the moment. And it certainly doesn't help that the situations that call for CPR are quite stressful and produce lots of adrenaline and pressure. I mean, someone's life is on the line. But as the instructors continually reiterated throughout the training, you doing anything is more helpful than not, so just got to remember to keep that in mind. All in all, a pretty good learning experience; I hope I never have to utilize this skill I acquired though.

 CPR certified, baby