Howdy my SigForum friends. While participating in a game preserve hunt today, I had the unfortunate opportunity to have to provide CPR for real. My 82 year old friend and two other's were just about done for the day. We did have a guide along as well. The other two guys went 100 yards or so down the tree row to recover a wounded bird, and my friend was off to my side maybe 15 feet. I couldn't tell ya where the guide was. Mh friend all of sudden comes at me, starting to stumble, with very mismatched eyes, and falls into me as he is collapsing. I knew this wasn't good. I got him laid out, put a rolled up coat under his head, and went to work. It took a minute or so for the others to join me after seeing what was occurring.

I need say that I felt very unprepared for this, despite the fact I have had training many, many times. It has always been practicing on a dummy however. Thankfully the other two hunters, one who is a deputy sheriff took over in a superior manner. They fortunately have had many instances where CPR was required.

I guess my point is you can never be too prepared for something like this, and I would encourage you all to take the time to review and practice the drill. It was an unsuccessful attempt today, and left a lasting impression of many things including take the time to slow down, enjoy the now, tell those close to you you love them, and treasure every day. I am most certain he was basically already gone when he was falling into my arms. But you have to try.

For those of you in EMS and other emergency services, you have my utmost respect. This can't be a pleasant thing to deal with on a continuous basis. May peace be with my lost friend.

I am sorry for the loss of your friend.

Having experienced similar events, what I recall the most is the "surreal" nature of it, as if a dream, but with clarity that never seems to diminish.

The first event was 45 years ago.

I got lucky with having a defibrillator close by when my coworker went into cardiac arrest last year. It kept her going until they could install a pacemaker.

I won and I'm still not ok. You won't be either, but that's fine, it just comes with the territory.

I am so sorry for your loss and for the situation.

I know from experience that can be difficult to deal with, but I believe it’s good you were there to be with your friend when he passed.

You have my sincerest condolences.

I am sorry you went through this and I am very sorry you lost your friend. In his final moments here, I have to believe he passed in peace, doing something he loved and surrounded by friends.

I was trained in CPR, but it has been a number of years. This is a good reminder to get a refresher course.


.

I'm very sorry for the loss of your friend, and that you had to experience that. It sounds like you guys did absolutely everything you could do, but often it just doesn't matter. The odds of CPR saving a life go up when it's started immediately like you did, but those odds are still very low. You can sustain circulation for a time, but you can't undo whatever happened inside.

You're right, it's a tough and emotionally draining thing to do, but most of us in fire/ems/pd aren't usually having to do it on someone we know, much less a close friend. Make sure you talk to somebody if you need to, and don't let it eat you up. You did good.

I am sorry for the loss of your friend. Take solace in the fact that you moved immediately to assist your friend. Not only did that help him, it gave your hunting companions a moment to collect their thoughts and render aid.

Sorry to hear this CH44. You did your best and at least he passed with friends while doing something he loved.

^^^^^ This. Peace be with you CH.

Sorry for your loss.

That is crazy and I'm sorry for the loss of your friend

My church security team just did CPR training back in January and I'm glad I did, it's been a while and it seems to have changed a bit since the last time I took it, it's all about the chest compressions now and fast and continuous. Rescue breathing seems like it's not even a big focus now.

Very sorry for your loss.

You did everything you could, and hopefully there's some comfort in that.

Sorry for the loss of your friend, sounds like you and your friends did everything possible.

So sorry to read that you lost your friend.

To close out my training as an EMT, I was required to work two shifts in a hospital ER. A man in his 80s coded while I was working and the ER doc told me to perform CPR. The first compression I did resulted in this terrible sound of ribs cracking. I stopped. The doc looked up at my eyes and said, “Keep going!” He later told me that in elderly patients it’s normal for cartilage to separate and ribs to crack. I guess that’s why ER shifts are required and a good thing.

I take CPR training refresher course every few years, but yeah, not sure how I'll do if I ever need it.

I am so very sorry for the loss of your friend.

Did CPR a few times as a cop. Never successful. They were too far gone before I got there. I am prepared to do it again, if need be. Condolences on the loss of your friend. You can only do what you can do in that situation.

Condolences to you and your friend's family.