When the day is long and the night,
the night is yours alone,
When you're sure you've had enough
of this life, well hang on
Don't let yourself go,
'cause everybody cries
and everybody hurts sometimes
Sometimes everything is wrong.
Now it's time to sing along ...
Yesterday, I attended a CPR class along with some of the Royal Rangers from our church. The class had one of those watch-the-video-then-practice formats. Several times throughout the afternoon, I was asked to kneel over 'Manny the Mannequin' to check for breathing and circulation while demonstrating rescue breathing and chest compressions. A full cycle of CPR is supposed to last about a minute; (we weren't near that fast) and we did an average of 4 cycles in each practice session.
The problem with this - and the reason I'm quoting REM lyrics - is that Commander Dash's knees are not what they used to be. I didn't have much problem yesterday, but I'm feeling it today and have been hobbling through the building between meetings. A co-worker even asked if I was "OK". When I told him that I had taken a CPR class yesterday, he seemed surprised that CPR was apparently now an Olympic contact sport.
What really scares me is that, based on EMT response times, emergency first responders average 30-45 minutes of CPR before help arrives. And if I am called upon to save some boy's life in the woods - there won't be any carpet to kneel on.
Maybe I should always hike in knee pads.
4 comments:
When I read the title I assumed you were referring to the person receiving CPR rather than the person giving it.
I keep telling myself that I am going to got to training for CPR so that I am official in my knowledge. I am sure that the person I am trying to save would be happy to know that I am working on knowledge I picked up in the fifth grade.
During the class we found out that many of the more complicated parts of the process (i.e. checking the radial pulse and compressing 2.5 centimeeters above the xiphoid process)have been eliminated for the non-clinical courses. So you're 5th grade certification might include fancy professional teqniques.
Guess what I was singing this morning before I read your blog? Everybody hurts..sometimes. I had heard it yesterday on the tv show "Felicity." Now I know REM sang it/wrote it? Kind of spooky.
I really should learn CPR also. I watched some cheesy videos about it years ago.
Yes, it does get very tiring after only a few minutes.
FYI: The Red Cross provides classes frequently. Or just check out some of the JOCO parks and rec classes. Hospitals also provide courses on a regular basis for staff recertification.
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