Any CPR is better than no CPR

On Tuesday evening Christine Horne of St Johns, Geraldine, reminded us of the value of being able to perform CPR and made the point that, even if we’re not expert, we should be ready to give it our best shot.
 
Christine’s two key messages were:
  • when the need arises ANY CPR is better than NO CPR.
  • “30 and 2, no matter who”. That is, 30 chest compressions followed by 2 breaths no matter whether it’s a child or an adult.
Other important points to remember:
  • For young infants, two-finger compressions appropriate to the child’s size are sufficient; for older children use more fingers, or possibly the heel of one hand.
  • CPR is most effective when performed on a firm surface. It’s very difficult to get good compression if the patient is on a bed; if the patient is on a bed it’s best to get them to the floor somehow.
  • Keep going – for 30 minutes to more if necessary - until help arrives.
  • Call 111 immediately as you start CPR so they can get the ambulance on the way.  Put your phone into speaker phone mode if possible  as this allows you to get support from the Comms centre while having your hands free to continue the necessary tasks.
  • Call 111 first before you start CPR so they can get the ambulance on the way.
  • Make sure you are in a safe place when doing CPR, especially on the roadside.
  • The first 8 minutes are critical; a body will have pretty much used up all oxygen after 8 minutes without a heartbeat or CPR.
Christine also showed us how, when dealing with choking, we can lean the patient face-first over a chair back and thump their back between the shoulder blades.
 
Christine is the medic in the Geraldine NZ Fire Service "Road Crash Rescue" competition team whose focus and purpose is to learn and practice all the lifesaving and tool skills needed when faced with a road crash and to extricate patients safely, helping with the best recovery and outcome possible.
 
Road Crash Rescue competitions are aimed at replicating as closely as possible a real life crash situation. Each team member is closely scrutinised by highly experienced world class judges, assessing their every move, decision making, technical ability and patient care. 
 
The Geraldine team has competed locally and nationally over the 3 1/2 years they have been together and were ecstatic when they won the Australasian competitions in Warragul, Melbourne where they competed against 18 teams from Australia, Hong Kong, and the top 2 NZ teams.  Most of the teams are full time paid professionals while the Geraldine is a totally volunteer team.
 
The team is now heading overseas to compete in the world rescue competitions in Romania in August 2017.