Here are some of the latest CPR changes: (a) 30 chest compressions and 2 breaths cycles, (b) 100 compressions per minute regardless of the age of the victim, (c) AED defibrillators cost only $1,200 are readily available in public buildings like grocery stores, and (d) the main object of your aid is to get oxygenated blood flowing to the brain in less than 6 to 10 minutes.
First action after making sure the scene is safe:
After determining the victim is unresponsive and not breathing, point to a bystander and tell them to call 911, point to another bystander and tell them to get the AED and return immediately.
Regarding CPR:
1. When you begin the 2 inch chest compressions on an adult you will hear "crunching" for the first 5-6 compressions. This heals itself later and you should understand it is not a bad thing.
2. You may crack or break the sternum, vertebrae, or ribs. You may bruise the heart, puncture a lung, or lacerate the liver. While all of these would be bad, they are not worse than the patient's current condition (unresponsive and not breathing = dead). Oregon has a very fine Good Samaritan Law.
3. Push hard and fast.
Continue until the patient revives, advanced care arrives, or you cannot physically continue.
4. Once you start the AED, DO NOT TURN IT OFF. Continue to follow the instructions given by the AED. If the AED does a shock, it is trying to STOP the heart from useless fibrillation. You are trying to restart the heart's normal beating pattern with the follow up compressions.
5. If it looks bad, it probably is or soon will be. Don't make it worse by hesitating. Act as you've been trained.
Regarding First Aid:
With ingested poison, call Control Center 1-800-222-1222. Memorize this number. DO NOT GIVE THE VICTIM ANYTHING UNLESS ADVISED TO DO SO BY POISON CONTROL! Do not use Syrup of Ipecac unless instructed to do so.
If the victim is conscious you must ask them if you can help. If they say no, do not touch them. If they become unconscious ask them again. No response is an implied YES.
On third degree burns (charred) do not run water on the burn but apply cold wet dressing to cool the burn.Put a sterile covering over a severe injury to keep it out of sight of the victim and bystanders.
Treat for shock by having the victim lie down, keep them warm, and raise the feet (unless it's a head injury).
Try to keep any bleeding wound lower than the heart to let gravity help stop the bleeding.After the training, I was surprised how motivated I was to follow the motto, "Do the best you can for as long as you can." We also have a family-sized Red Cross first aid kit ($25) being delivered by FedEx ($7).
