Diane shared a post on EmpowHer about CNN's top health stories of the year, and one of those stories is related to CPR.
Did you know that there are new recommendations for breathless CPR? Have you taken a refresher course (especially if you are a caregiver or take care of an infant)?
(from CNN):
"... the American Heart Association revised its official guidelines to promote breathless resuscitation as the preferred method for bystanders without CPR training [after a study in Arizona found that this new method tripled the long-term survival rate]."
The American Heart Association's CPR site has many different options of how you can learn (or refresh) CPR skills: through a traditional class-style AND also a program called "CPR Anytime". The "anytime" program is completely self-directed...and only 22 minutes!
Do you know the differences between the "newer" CPR (Hands Only CPR or breathless CPR) and the "traditional" CPR? If not, you may want to think about taking a course, or look into their CPR Anytime program. You pay $35 for the kit, which you can practice with friends/family in your own home following a trainer on a DVD. I thought this was a wonderful idea, and what a great activity to do with other caretakers (grandparent, spouse, older children, etc.).
I am going to look into taking a course in my area (called "Family & Friends CPR for the Community"), and will probably choose an Infant CPR and/or Infant/Child First Aid. Are all of your friends/family up-to-date on the latest first aid remedies? My son's grandfather actually told me to put vaseline on his sunburn...which I know is very outdated information. However, my pediatrician said to put vaseline on his scar (unrelated to sunburn), to keep it moist, which I did not know to do. Times have truly changed, and so has the information (as well as my memory of what to do, what not to do, what is a wive's tale and what isn't).
It's time for a refresher course for myself, and my family, and I'll update you all on what I learn (and if I can talk my family, who also takes care of our son once/week, into taking the course with me!).
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I've been looking for a good CPR class, too, as I'll be coaching again in my upcoming marathon/half marathon training season. I also looked into the "CPR Anytime" program, but I need a certification program, and have been trying to find one that I can work into my crazy schedule. I've found a couple of online programs that will take you through the "hands only" part, and then you would need to do the AED live, if you want that, too.
So, let's compare notes when we go through our programs of choice and write reviews here.
Great information, Diana and Alison.
August 11, 2009 - 6:42pmThis Comment
Thanks for the information. I am CPR certified at work and we attend training classes periodically and have training drills to maintain our skills. I was unaware of the hands only CPR and I will definitely bring this to the my employers attention.
Sounds like a great idea and certainly important to learn.
January 4, 2009 - 3:31pmThis Comment