Reply With QuoteIve done a 1st aid course before......but ill admit if i needed to use CPR i wouldnt have a clue what to do cos i have completely forgotten.
Registered User
Do you know CPR?
If something happened to your child would you know how to do CPR?? Just wondering how many parents do because DH and I were just talking about this. He has done a course so he would know what to do but I haven't. So he was teaching me the basics the other day so I at least know that until I actually do a course.
Registered User
Ive done a 1st aid course before......but ill admit if i needed to use CPR i wouldnt have a clue what to do cos i have completely forgotten.
Registered User
I did it years ago and I really need to renew it, however I do know the basics, least I think I remember...
DRABC (Doctor ABC to remember).
Danger - check for dangers (cars, electricity dangers etc)
Response - COWS (Can you hear me, Open your eyes, What is your name, Squeeze my hand)
Airway - Check to see if the airway is clear
Breathing - Check for breathing
Circulation - Check for pulse
From there CPR is essentially the same for babies as adults except you only use a finger to palpate the chest and the palpation/breath ratio is different. I think.
I wonder if a professional can come in and tell me if I have half remembered right LOL!
I was taught ABC
Airway - can they breathe?
Breathing - ARE they breathing?
Circulation - do they have a pulse?
I know how to deal with a choking, a drowning and a cardiac/breathing arrest. We were told on the course that only 7% of those people of any age given CPR by trained but non-medical-personnel actually survive.
Bx
Registered User
I did a specifici baby First Aid 2 hours crouse in 2007 with a nurse from the Royal Childrens. The basics were what was already mentioned: DRABC and choking. CPR has now changed - the ratios are all the same..... 30 compressions to breaths. They changed the ratios because it was too hard for people to remember.
I was told that if you do something, even if you think it's not right then you're doing better than nothing so breathe for them and do compressions with your fingers (for babies) until ambulance arrives. Make sure you clear out their airway before breathing in case they have something lodged in there - do this while they're on their side so you don't push anything down their throat.
We were told 5 compressions to one breath if you're in a team (with one compressing and the other breathing) and 15 to 2 if you're on your own. I had to do it alone for seven minutes to pass my certificate (on resussiannie doll) and i was POURING sweat!
Bx
Registered User
30: ? many breaths Jordie?
Or is it 30:30 ?
I thought adult CPR was always 20:4 so just curious on the difference now?
Gosh it's been so long I probably have no idea. I think I did my certificate in 2003...
Life Subscriber
The guidelines change every couple of years, which is why CPR qualifications need to be reviewed - annually I think. And general first aid is every 3 years from memory. Mine must be up now, I think I was pg with DS1 when did first aid most recently. I'd better look into doing another course.
In Qld, and probably the other states, The Red Cross and St Johns both run special first aid courses tailored to parents and other carers.
Registered User
DH told me 30 compressions to 2 breaths.
Registered User
I've held a First Aid Cert for quite a while and renew it regularly. I was a First Responder at my work which meant I got to use the defibrillators. DP & I did a child first aid course last year while I was pregnant. The DR ABC has changed. It's now DR ABCD, where the last D is for Defibrillation.
The new ratios are 30 compressions to 2 breaths for adults and children/babies. You also don't check for a pulse anymore, just go straight into the compressions if they're not breathing.
Also, it is really hard work, our instructor told us to be prepared to do it for up to 30 minutes before an ambo arrives.
Registered User
I am an insturctor for st john in the act.
CPR changed in 2006 world wide. It is now DRABCD.
Danger, check if there is anything that could harm you.
Response. can they responde to voice, or squeezing shoulders.
Airway, is it clear (look in mouth without tilting head)
If clear tilt head back, if blocked roll onside clear and tilt head back while on side
Breathing, check for normal breathing. if breathing roll on side if not already there.
IF NOT BREATHING give two breaths (person on back tilt head back pinch nose and two breaths)
Check for breathing again max time 10 sec
CPR 30compressions:2 Breaths, do this 5 times in 2 minutes. and repeat till help arrives or signs of life (breathing and moving) return. for under ones two fingers on lower half of chest in the middle. over ones two hands heal of hand lower half of chest in the middle.
Defibrilation if there is a defib use it.
If you have some questions please pm me.
Registered User
Wow, thanks for that info Laranna and sweetpea!
Registered User
I second that- thanks for that info.
SaraJane I'm glad you reminded me... I am way overdue to do a new first aid course! I did one about 5 years ago.
But I do know the basics and like to think that if I had to do it, I could.
I worked in a nursing home for 4 years and had to do a lot ALOT of stuff like that.. done cpr quite a few tiems now, amongst other things, so I am GREAT in an emergency luckily.. dp isn't lol
Registered User
Doing an annual CPR course is a fantastic idea. I'm lucky mine is done with work. DRABCD is a great start. Your compressions to breaths is 30 compression to 2 breath and you need to work off 100 compressions per minute so it is fairly fast. Your compressions need to be 1/3 of chest depth. With adults you need to use your entire hand with the head tilted whereas with a baby/child you use one/two fingers(depending on the size of the infant) with their head neutral. If you tilt their head you obstruct their airway.
Hope that helps.
Last edited by Liviam; January 13th, 2009 at 06:57 PM.
Registered User
I am lucky that in my job we do a CPR course 1 year and then a first aid course the next year and then this just gets repeated every year so we are updated with a new certificate and info every 2 yrs.
It is so important to know the basics. If you are in doubt when an accident happens call 000 pr get someone else to call 000 and they will direct you over the phone.
Registered User
It has been changed to 30 compressions to 2 breaths as this is now the world wide standard ratio. That way it eliminates the confusion of what to do if you are in a different country or someone visiting here and someone needs CPR.
Registered User
It has all changed! I have to do every 12months for work. Last year it was 30 compressions, 2 breaths. No cycles, no timing, no checking for a pulse, you just keep on going! I must admit, I thought it was a little different - but apparantly studies show that precious time is lost checking and breathing and 2 breaths is enough oxygen every 30.
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