CPR Training Class

Yesterday, I attended a mandated CPR training and first aid class. I have to take this training every two years. I needed to get there on time because lateness is usually not tolerated, but I was late anyway because I went to the wrong building, and when I went to the right building, I couldn’t find my company ID, so I have the guard my driver license. I felt so scatterbrained because I only had a few hours of sleep.

I was waiting in the lobby for what seemed like like forever, then I left to go my office, figuring I’ll have to reschedule. The class had already started, and I didn’t think I would be able to attend. As I was leaving, one of the staff from upstairs called out to me and asked me if I wanted to take the class. Wow, this is a first. I thought latecomers were not accepted, and it was after 8:30am. The class had started at the top of the hour. I debated about it for a few seconds, but I figured as long as I was there, I might as well take it. I finally found my company ID in the compartment where I keep the work phone and put it on. We went upstairs, and went through several doors until we arrived at the classroom.

Thankfully, there were two older women there and the instructor. They were very nice ladies. One was a yoga instructor. I did not miss much because the video repeats the training. I signed in and started watching the video. Then we practiced CPR on what I call the “dummy torsos.” Make sure the scene is safe. Ask the person “are you ok?” Call for help, ask the responding person to call 911, and located a Automatic External Defibrillator. Scan the body to detect any signs of respiration. If the patient is breathing, CPR is not needed. If none is detected, tilt the head backward, place mask tightly over nose and mouth, give two rescue breaths, then 30 chest compressions. Or, if one does not have a mask, pinch the nose closed, open the mouth, clear the airway, and give two rescue breaths. Repeat until either the patient regains consciousness, or when the paramedics arrive. We also were trained how to use the AED, which can walk a person through the process. The instructor warned us not to assume the person is dead if there is no respiration. Give CPR regardless, and let the paramedics determine if the patient cannot be resuscitated.

Then we went into the first aid part of the video. It was for typical injuries like insect bites, broken bones, bloody nose, burns, etc. The segment that really made me uncomfortable was about amputations. Even though the video was clearly simulating a finger amputation, and was not graphic in the least, I started feeling the pain of the kid who was simulating a loss of his right index finger. That almost happened to me many moons ago when one of my so called friends lit a cherry bomb that I was holding. I got rid of it a nanosecond before it exploded. The simulation ended before I became very sick. I already knew what to do if that happens: apply a tourniquet to stop the bleeding, pack the finger in ice, and rush the patient and the finger to the hospital.

It was supposed to be an all day class, but we were done by 2pm. Most of the stuff I saw in the video I already knew, but I learned some new things. If I’m still here in another two years, I’ll repeat the training.

I wish to welcome my new followers. I hope to have more in the future. Thanks for reading my post. Sat Nam.