After seven hours of training, video presentations, Little Anne Manikin’s, rubber gloves, and face masks, I now have a little wallet insert recognizing my completion of the American Red Cross Adult CPR & First-Aid certification course. An overall unique experience and discovery of knowledge that I highly recommend to anyone interested in challenging their emergency preparedness & assessment skills.
Prior to taking the course, I thought I would know what to do in the event of an emergency. Now that I have completed the course, I feel completely confident knowing that the basic skills I have learned may help when faced with an emergency situation.
Although CPR & First-Aid training may not be something of interest, there is a small step that everyone can make in order to facilitate proper care in case of emergency. Kristin touched base on this tip a few days back.
In the event of an emergency, medical responders may need critical information in order to provide proper care. Unconscious individuals would obviously provide little help forcing responders to seek alternative sources for critical info. That’s where ICE or “In Case of Emergency” comes into play.
Before navigating away, pick-up your cellphone or jot this information on to a piece of paper to keep inside your wallet. Generally, an ICE contact would be a close contact you can count on in the event of an accident. Paramedics or medical personal can then turn to said contacts during emergencies involving your health & well-being.
If you’re nterested in completing a Red Cross Health and Safety Services course? Check the American Red Cross website for available courses in your community.
Favorite line from the instructor: “Are you two sweethearts?” - Syl, unconscious victims don’t laugh.
Bruce
Oct 22nd, 2006
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Very important to keep this knowledge up-to-date, as it’s easy to forget things like breaths-to-compression ratios in a panic situation—and having a certificate doesn’t help! One reason I installed a free short CPR (and basic first aid) course on our iPods, which I’ve mirrored for download (and commented on) here, even though as doctors we have to attend CPR updates regularly. I think such audio can help reinforce the lessons learned by attending a course/ update, and a podcast alone is no substitute for doing so.
Derek
Oct 22nd, 2006
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Ah yes, exactly what the instructor had said about regular improvements. I soon discovered why there were so many repeat students taking the course. Great idea reinforcing the lessons with audio. I think the trickiest part is getting comfortable with the compression rhythm.
syl
Oct 22nd, 2006
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i think i was doing the compressions way too fast. =O
Derek
Oct 22nd, 2006
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Your compressions were right on pace with the metronome used during training.
syl
Oct 22nd, 2006
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no they weren’t. you wouldn’t know because you were asleep!
Derek
Oct 22nd, 2006
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[quote comment="9998"]no they weren’t. you wouldn’t know because you were asleep![/quote]
Wow. No comment. How would you know if I was sleeping? You’re supposed to be paying attention to what you’re doing! Besides, our instructor split the class letting whoever wasn’t practicing do what they wanted - even eat outside. Remember? You were eating outside while I was doing my rounds? Yeah that’s what I thought.