You’re at the grocery store and the man stocking the produce grabs his left shoulder and then slumps to the ground, he does not appear to be breathing.
So, what would you do?
(Check the comments section to see the answers from everyone as well as to add your own.)
The reason for today’s question is to drive the point that CPR and AED is a skillset I think every prepper should absolutely have. My stepson’s grandfather had a heart attack last year at a garage sale. He would have died had there not been someone at the sale who knew CPR. Here is a link to find training near you http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/CPRAndECC/FindaCPRClass/Find-a-CPR-Class_UCM_303220_SubHomePage.jsp
I am CPR certified, so I would tell someone to call 9-1-1 for an ambulance and I would then begin CPR. I am also trained to use an AED. Depending on where I am, I would ask if one is available. If an AED is available I would put it to use right away. Either way I would continue compressions until the ambulance got there and took over.
no way.. I would call someone.. My wife is an RN and she stated that unless you are highly trained , you should not do this as an average joe kinda person. She knows..
If the person that did CPR in my stepsons grandpa would have just called and not done CPR, there is no way the ambulance would have made it in time.
I’m sure your wife had her reasons, but if I ever get the chance to give someone the gift my stepsons and their grandfather got, I’ll take it.
I am certified in Infant, Children and Adult CPR and AED, so I could be of some help till first responders arrived. I thought it would be wise to learn these in these uncertain times so went to the Red Cross and got the certifications recently.
Good for you Chad, who long are the certs valid?
This person is fortunate in that the grocery store is accessible, even if there were no witnesses he’ll be discovered shortly, and there is a good chance the store has CPR supplies.
I would yell for help then begin an assessment. While performing the assessment I would be asking someone in the gathering crowd to call 9-1-1, sending another to the pharmacy to look for a CPR mask and latex gloves, and sending a third to look for an AED. Then I would go to work on the person asking someone to split the workload with one of us breathing and the other performing chest compressions.
Remember the Survival Rules of 3: 3 Minutes without Air, 3 Hours without Shelter, 3 Days without Water, 3 Weeks without Food. This definitely falls in the Air category. CPR is a Basic Medical Skill that All Beginner Preppers Should Learn. I would say that an AED skill would be great for the next level.
Cooper Colors is usually used to refer to defensive posture but in this instance you can say: You were in Condition Yellow (out in public) and immediately went to Condition Red (fighting for someone’s life). OK, now for the dark side: if Chris had said this had been in a less public area (you were in Condition Orange instead of Yellow), I would suggest you be alert to the possibility this incident could be a setup/diversion.
Good stuff Steve. When I got certified they said that CPR would be moving to compressions only, no breaths. The though is enough air is getting moved through the lungs with compressions.
Good point on using Coopers Color Code, nothing like going to help someone and becoming a victim. This can be extended to scene safety as well, don’t get tunnel vision, keep your head on as much of a swivel as possible.
I’ve been training for CERT the last two months, and in association with that, recently took a basic first aid class which covered Infant, Child, Adult CPR and AED. Training now eliminates breaths (on children and adults), and does compressions only. I feel much more confident about coming to the aid of others now in an emergency. I understand, at least here in GA, there is a Good Samaritan law that protects lay people from prosecution when they make an effort to help.
Good for you Michael! Did you enjoy CERT?