Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)

[1SeventyZ]

Since I hang out with a bunch of old guy pilots, I figured I'd better learn how to resuscitate one of them in the event that the old oil pump locks up.

My mom actually sent me this, it's quite interesting, and a departure from conventional CPR methods. It seems like everyone carries a first aid kit with gauze and bandages, etc, but really that stuff is useless for real trauma, and the most valuable first aid is actually a learned skillset.

Who here has taken CPR training? I never have, and I feel an increasing need to, given my activities (backcountry skiing, flying, hanging out with old guys.)

[mtv]

A few years ago, I completed EMT I, II and III courses at the local community college. Great programs all. I've also been through ETT training. Two of the local Air Taxi guys and I decided these would be good skills to have if we were flying around various villages. Fortunately, I never had to put those skills to use, but....

The final exam for the EMT CPR portion was a "perfect strip" of CPR on Annie. Man, did that take some practice...

I agree, everyone should take CPR and basic first aid if not more.

MTV

[whee]

haha...hangin out with old guys I'm right there with ya..all my river buddies are over 50. I've been CPR certified since I started working as a river guide when I was 16. Seems like they change something every year. Would love to get my EMT and Wilderness first responder just don't have the time right now.

[glaciercub]

Listen to your Mom.... get you tail to a class. Should be a must ( hate to regulate common sense) for everyone....
I renew advanced first aid/cpr every two years, and have taken first responders wilderness course. Things change,
so retaking class from time to time is a must even if you not required to. Parents with lil. ones need to learn infant
cpr too, as it is different then big peoples......... Remember first rule Listen to you MOM !

Now go sign up!!

[fern_hopper]

I your MOM! CPR is a skill everyone should have. I work as a fire paramedic and good quality basic CPR is probably more important to patient survival then any of the gadgets and drugs we carry. Apparently the research has shown that continuous CPR or CPR at the new breath/compression ratio has really helped patient survival, especially since the public is more inclined to do CPR if they don't have to kiss some stranger. The new CPR guidlines seem to be based on real science this time, not "what feels right." This new CPR is a good thing!

If anyone is looking to learn a little more beyond basic CPR/first aid, try to find a Wilderness EMT or Wilderness First Responder course in your area, usually taught through ski patrols, SAR groups or community colleges. Most first aid classes teach you how to stabilize a patient assuming help is minutes away. The wilderness classes teach you patient care when help may be hours or days away including resetting dislocations to help move a patient, or treating a lot of the injuries you may see in a plane crash or climbing/hiking accident.

Contact your local fire department or local American Heart Association chapter for CPR class details.
Sorry to sound like a public service announcement!

-Matt

[denalipilot]

12-year Wilderness EMT, former WFR instructor, former AHA CPR instructor.

Yes, it's great stuff. High conversion rates, however, are found in front-country settings where immediate follow-up with an AED makes the difference. In the backcountry, more than half an hour jumping on a chest and you're really just going through the motions for the psychological benefit of the family members.

Better outcomes than the above are found when you have a basically healthy heart that just got got derailed somehow: lightening strike, near-drowning, etc.

In any case, don't be shy to try. It's hard to hurt 'em any worse since they're already dead.

[donknee]

I had not had a first aid/ cpr class for 20 years until last april. Big difference in the AHA CPR techniques compared to Red Cross training earlier. Latest training covered First aid, CPR, AED, and BBP. Since I'm hanging out with a lot of these younger backcountry pilots and skiiers who are a little more aggressive I thought it would be a good idea A very worthwhile day of training...and with that you are just scratching the surface. To really attain a level of proficiency one should take the more advanced training courses described above.

[PaulKnapp]

I've got Winderness First Aid training; it's a big step up from the typical first aid training. It teaches you how to deal with situations when ambulance isn't just around the corner, and there's nobody but you to keep someone from bleeding out.

Wildnerness first aid focus on maintaining life in remote situations, which is exactly what any of us may face as pilots in the back country.

[WrenPilot]

Old guys, at age 50???!!!? To paraphrase the late Ronald Regan (for you kids who don't know he was the only "professional" actor who became president; the rest are/were merely amateur actors) " I won't hold your youth and inexperience against you". Regardless of your age, knowing CPR and basic first aid is a "must". Next thing you'll tell me is you don't carry a pocket knife and a hankerchief. Damn kids

[Fisherman]

I was certified when I worked for Baroid about 13 or 14 years ago.

[patrol guy]

Zane, Good idea, go take that class, then come visit. Since I am one of those old guy pilots, guys like you and Greg should be on top of saving us. jg

[z3skybolt]

haha...hangin out with old guys I'm right there with ya..all my river buddies are over 50. I've been CPR certified since I started working as a river guide when I was 16. Seems like they change something every year. Would love to get my EMT and Wilderness first responder just don't have the time right now.

Sure,

Yer hanging out with "old guys." All the fun guys are over 50. It even gets better when they are over 60!! Catch us if you can.

Bob

[Durango Skywagon]

EMT-I, 12 yr ski patroller, Lead Instructor for Wilderness Medical Associates.

Training is great! I think one of the crowds I'd like to get in more of our classes is pilots. If you have the time sign up for a wilderness medical course. They specialise in situations where evacuation is long difficult or impossible, equipment is unavailable, and the environment itself may be somewhat hostile. Lots of good companies out there do it, I think we are the best, check out www.wildmed.com, and if the course is in Durango you can stay with me and we'll fly around after class!

-Brad

[GroundLooper]

Apparently the research has shown that continuous CPR or CPR at the new breath/compression ratio has really helped patient survival, especially since the public is more inclined to do CPR if they don't have to kiss some stranger.

They changed to that method shortly after I last took CPR, I only know the kiss the stranger technique. Unfortunately today, if Gump were to suffer a serious heart attack I'd be left with only one option...


Shake my head sadly and say, "I guess it was just his time". I'm sure he would have wanted it that way.

[Green Hornet]

Being one of those old farts I appreciate you getting this type of training. One suggestion is to get CPR Pocket Mask, http://www.mcrmedical.com/category/cpr- ... adult.html
Although you can cup your fingers around the mouth. The main advantage is the pocket mask makes resuscitation safer for the responder and more efficient for the victim. Since you won't be pinching the victim's nose shut, each rescue breath will have two avenues of entry into the body. I carry O2 on most long flights especially when I go past 9000 ft. That would be my first choice.
Another thing I carry are Homeostat Forceps and Clamps. It doesn't take long to bleed out and if you have forcep or clamps you can pinch off a bleeder. I have done it with my thumb and first finger but fingers get cramped and vessels are not easy to hold on to for long period of time and if there is more than one that could be a problem.
http://www.bbsinstruments.com/forceps_h ... awodBCDyHQ

[gbflyer]

Anybody ever performed it? I take the basic first aid and CPR every 2 years. Have never done CPR, have done the Heimlich Maneuver on a choking woman. It works.

gb

[Green Hornet]

Yea I did it once back in 1969 just after I got out of the Army. Two of us worked on him until the paramedics got there but he was dead before he hit the floor. Massive heart attack.

[GumpAir]

Unfortunately today, if Gump were to suffer a serious heart attack I'd be left with only one option...
Shake my head sadly and say, "I guess it was just his time". I'm sure he would have wanted it that way.

Die young and leave a good looking corpse...

Got "No Code" tattoo'd in big letters across my chest.

Gump

[bumper]

Gump lives in the great state of Nevada, "Somewhere" to be less than exact. Many folk out here carry a shooting iron. If you do go down with some sort of cardio vascular stroke sort of thing, it'd be good to remember not to writhe around in agony too awful much, lest wise some caring local might just figure it best to put you out of your misery. Why would you need to know CPR if you carry a Sig .40? "I'm not quite dead yet!"

[GumpAir]

A couple of Nevada hunters are out in the woods . . .

. . . when one of them falls to the ground. He doesn't seem to be breathing. His eyes are rolled back in his head.

The other guy whips out his cellphone and calls 911. He gasps to the operator: "My friend is dead! What can I do?"

The operator, in a calm soothing voice, says: "Just take it easy. I can help. First, let's make sure he's dead."

There is a silence, then a shot is heard. The guy's voice comes back on the line. He says, "O.K., now what?"