I have been CPR/First aide certified for about 4 years now. Every 2 years I have to take a course in order to get my certification renewed. This past summer in the certification class that I took the guideline's for CPR changed from 15 and 2 to 30 and 2. This was not a big change so it was easy to remember. When I was looking at the Boston Globe I found an article about how health officials now think that strictly compressions can help a person while medical professionals are on the way. I think that this would be a good change because I think that more people would be willing to help strangers if they stop breathing. Right now people are hesitant to help out a random person because the thought of breathing into a strangers mouth grosses people out. Especially since there are so many diseases and illness out there, people just kind of look the other way and pretend not to see what is going on. With this new idea of keeping it to strictly compressions people will now have it in their head that they don't have to even get that close to the person. In the article it says that this new idea suggests that there be 100 compressions a minute until the help arrives. Just by reading this article it changes my views about helping a stranger if they are choking. I know that I am CPR certified, but I have always been hesitant about what I would do if I was in a situation where someone was chocking. Reading this article about only having to do the compressions made me more confident that I would take charge if the opportunity presented itself.
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I think that it is so sad that the regulations had to be changed just because people are grossed out by blowing air into someone elses mouth when it could save their lives. I understand that it is gross because of germs, but if it could save someone I think it is important. While I feel this way, I think it is a good idea that the regulations were changed so that more people will be willing to perform CPR. The information on the side of the article that gives examples of survival rates jumping to 13.3% with hands-only CPR from 5.2% with no CPR at all shows just how much of a difference any kind of CPR can help a victim. I'm glad I got to read this article so I can refresh what to do if I'm ever faced in such a position.
ReplyDeleteI think that if this method would actually work the same way as the 30 compressions and 2 breaths than it is a great idea. I do agree that people would be hesitant to help someone when it comes down to the actual scary situation even if they are certified. There are a lot of diseases and illnesses in the world today and people are very cautious when it comes to staying healthy. If the regulations could be changed and could provide the same care to the person in need before the health professionals get there than it is a great idea. This way more people are likely to assist a person in need without hesitation and hopefully even more lives will be saved.
ReplyDeleteI remember when I had taken my CPR/first aid class they had just come out with masks you can place over the persons mouth to avoid contact with their mouth. However I can see how this would be a problem because no one is just conveniently carrying one around. I have not been renewed in a few years and it is crazy how many things change when you go back to renew the certification.
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