I had to take CPR training a few days ago for my job. It has changed quite a bit since the last time I took the training. When I first took the training the AHA suggested a 15/2 ratio of chest compressions/breaths. Now it is suggested to use a 30/2 ratio. This is a concession to AIDS and the fact that many people are not real excited about doing the breathing. I can understand. It is certainly not tops on my list of fun things to do.They are now also emphasizing using the new Automatic External Defibrillators (AED). I got to learn how to use them. There is one a few feet from my classroom door, across from the nurses station. It is really pretty simple. They are computerized and walk you through the procedure. About the only you could get shocked is if you are actually touching the person that it is being used on. If someone is clowning around and decides to take it off the wall and slap it on someone and shock 'em just for grins they will be sorely disappointed. The internal sensors will detect a normal heartbeat and will not let it give a charge. That's good.The high spot of the training was when a fellow teacher was practicing dislodging a foreign item from the throat of a baby. The training set the mannequin up and gave instructions and then placed the plug (foreign object) in the mannequins mouth. The teacher followed all the rules: placed the baby on her arm, began to use firm blows on the back with the heel and palm of her hand. After 2 or 3 blows the baby's face flies off. And then we all roared with laughter. I guess she was thinking about her 5th graders at the time.© 2008 Barry T Horst
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