We talk a lot about preparedness, but most people don’t think about basic first aid, CPR and AED training that available in every community. It’s not exciting. Or sexy. But, average people will use these skills a lot more than other skills.

Next month, I’ll have 30 years on the job. I’ve never had a “save” using CPR. I have had multiple “saves” stopping choking and applying a tourniquet. CPR and first aid is as perishable a skill as shooting.

Your child starts choking a piece of ice. Your parents have a cardiac event while put to dinner. You witness a car wreck with major injuries on the way home from work.

Staying current costs little in time or funds. Keeping a significant first aid kit in your car isn’t expensive.

Please consider getting training if you don’t have it.

Yep I continue to maintain it even though I’m retired

Good points!

Yep

Yes, required to be certified.

I was, and I'd feel comfortable administering it. So yes?

I qualified annually for 35 years. I feel no need to rectify. I did use both the Heimlich and CPR several times, both in my career and personal life. I once stopped a concerned citizen from initiating CPR on a man having an epileptic seizure.

Yes, as a volunteer ski patroller I have maintained my CPR certification for 36 consecutive years.

The protocols to administer CPR have evolved over the years and is now generally a simpler process to deliver “High-quality CPR”.

Training in the use of AED’s is also an element of current CPR training, as well as treating a choking victim.

To quote the author of this thread -

“Please consider getting training if you don’t have it.”

I have been since I was 14. I’ve been an instructor for 15+ years and have taught…a few…classes.

If anyone is looking at doing it, my recommendation is the AHA online course and then the follow up practical that you will have to link up with an instructor to do in-person.

Furthermore, I recommend their CPR/AED/First Aid class. Less than $25 at your leisure and then whatever it costs for the practical.

https://shopcpr.heart.org/hear...t-aid-cpr-aed-online

If I can ask since it is related to this thread topic.

I see several choking devices being advertised that removes the stuck item through use of suction. Does anyone have any knowledge/advice/recommendations related to purchasing and having one of these devices on hand in the event of a choking person. Thanks

We have the LifeVac version at work, but no first-hand / actual experience with it or similar.

I watched their videos to familiarize myself with the device, just in case, and it seems like a well designed and made product.

I've taken a few "stop the bleed" type course, but I know I could do much more. I feel a little irresponsible that I've chosen to expand my training certifications rather than go the medical route. I intend to be less dilatory in the future.

Before COVID, CPR/AED/First aid was mandatory training for us every 2 years. I've actually taken the refresher training in 2-countries (USA and Can-eh-duh), and I think it's a combined total of 11 times.

However, work cut the funding for it for engineers and I didn't personally pursue keeping current.

Get started here / AHA -

https://cpr.heart.org/en/

Yeah.

Yes. There are also two first aid kits in my Suburban, one marked first aid and one marked trauma. There is an IFAK in the pocket of each front door as well, available no matter what side of the vehicle is expedient. The first aid kit is just that, snivel kit plus. The trauma kit has more, all items included were chosen and trained for with Doc Steve.

Been over 30 yrs since my last certification.
I don't think I could be very effective anymore as my knees won't take me being on them any more.

No, but I was in the past, for many years. It was required for maintaining my medical certification as a CRA.

I know what to do, and that's what counts.

Same here. Know what to do and have done it.

The creepy part is the springy bouncy feel you get from the training dummy is how it feels in real life. If you didn’t break the sternum of the person receiving the CPR then its not being done right.

I was on a VFD which ran EMS first responder calls as well. We had several paid firefighters and EMT’s that were paid on the local ambulance service so I had lots of support during and after the call. We were often extra hands for the ambulance service which is what I was doing. Made the ride to the hospital with the patient doing compressions all the way. Sadly though the patient didn’t make it but we did our part getting him to the higher level of care.

CPR training has changed over the years and is easier to do.

BLS to maintain my EMS certification, which I don't presently use.

Good skill to have. "Success" rates (depending on whether you consider success to be ROSC, admission to a hospital, or discharge from the hospital... living, of course) are dramatically higher when bystanders a) witness the "crash" an b) immediately initiate high-quality CPR. As high as over 60% with immediate CPR, a "shockable" rhythm, and quick transport.

Since the alternative is "0%," 60% is really freakin' good.