Quick CPR Questions

[Module88]

Well, I was just recertified a couple weeks ago, but there were some questions I forgot to ask. Please, if you don't know the answer with absolute certainty, don't post. It IS important, and with the new changes they made (although I'm sure my questions won't be affected by that), many of you, who may have taken the course even a year or two ago might not be up to date.

Anyway, the questions.

1. If performing CPR, I believe you are supposed to take the shirt off to get direct contact for more effective compressions. Does this mean a bra as well? (I really don't do bras. Way too scary for me)

2. If the chest is too hairy, can the defibrilation pads be placed on the back?

[{KOW}Spazed]

I know you are supposed to take off bras, especially because the ones with the wire can mess things up and cause more injury.

I have used the defibrillation things before they have a sticky gooey stuff on them, I don't think hair would be a problem as long as there is some contact with the skin.

[Module88]

I know you are supposed to take off bras, especially because the ones with the wire can mess things up and cause more injury.

I have used the defibrillation things before they have a sticky gooey stuff on them, I don't think hair would be a problem as long as there is some contact with the skin.

I was told the person needs to be dry and there can't be any hair, so I will go with that. I can't remember the explanation though (maybe something about reducing the effectiveness of the charge?), so if someone could explain that, that'd be great. In any case, the defibrilator should tell you if it's good to go or not, so I guess if worse comes to worse, I'll figure it out on the spot. -_-

So, if performing compressions, the bra needs to be removed?

[{KOW}Spazed]

I have always been told to take off the bra when doing compressions and if rescue breathing doesn't seem to be filling their lungs fully to take it off. The strap can keep their lungs compressed.

[Module88]

I have always been told to take off the bra when doing compressions and if rescue breathing doesn't seem to be filling their lungs fully to take it off. The strap can keep their lungs compressed.

Crum. May I never have to ever perform CPR. But if I do, may it be on a male, please.

[Dondrei]

I have used the defibrillation things before they have a sticky gooey stuff on them,

They smear the pads with lubricant or something don't they? I mean I see them squeezing something out of a tube onto them just before they get used on TV shows.

[{KOW}Spazed]

They smear the pads with lubricant or something don't they? I mean I see them squeezing something out of a tube onto them just before they get used on TV shows.
Yes they do, but we are talking about the emergency ones that can be found in malls and such. It walks you through putting the pads on and then does all the charging and stuff for you, pretty nifty and they save a lot of lives. My Latin teacher had one used on him a week after my school got it put in, saved his life.

[Kaysaar]

I know what Kow is talking about, an Automatic External Defribulator (AED). I had to learn how to use one when I was a security officer. It had an oddly soothing voice, but it wouldn't shock if there was no reason. It was really quite cool. Although I don't recall if there was any biogel or not.

[{KOW}Spazed]

The thing only shocks if it picks up an irregular heart beat or something, I'll ask my mom she knows why it won't shock. It has more to it than just the beating/rhythm

[Dondrei]

Yes they do, but we are talking about the emergency ones that can be found in malls and such. It walks you through putting the pads on and then does all the charging and stuff for you, pretty nifty and they save a lot of lives. My Latin teacher had one used on him a week after my school got it put in, saved his life.

They have emergency defibrillators in malls in the U.S. now? Wow.

[{KOW}Spazed]

Linky (http://www.statkit.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=product&itemnum=556)

They are pretty damn cool, although it needs to be put on the news or something a few times, just so people know that it is there and see how it works once.

[Dondrei]

Amazing. It looks so cute, too.

[rplusplus]

1. The general rule for compressions is to remove any clothing/jewelry that impedes performing a good compression (depressing the breastbone 1.5-2" Adult). If the victim is wearing a T-shirt it is usually no problem. A Heavy Duty Bra made my Fleetwood Industries you would want to remove if possible but you need to consider IF it is in the way or not. If the compression can be done effectively with it in place then just do the compressions. Remember CPR is only to assist the victim to have a better chance of survival once the Professionals arrive. EMT Professionals always remove all clothing and have scissors handy to do such fast. How fast are you at removing a rear fasten bra from an unconscious victim in a busy mall?

2. The AED's come with one time use adhesive pads. They can be used over hairy chests and MUST be placed in the location indicated on the instruction sheet. MUST MUST MUST MUST. (No Gel is included, that is for professional defibrilators).

Yarrr++

[bagar]

1. The general rule for compressions is to remove any clothing/jewelry that impedes performing a good compression (depressing the breastbone 1.5-2" Adult). If the victim is wearing a T-shirt it is usually no problem. A Heavy Duty Bra made my Fleetwood Industries you would want to remove if possible but you need to consider IF it is in the way or not. If the compression can be done effectively with it in place then just do the compressions. Remember CPR is only to assist the victim to have a better chance of survival once the Professionals arrive. EMT Professionals always remove all clothing and have scissors handy to do such fast. How fast are you at removing a rear fasten bra from an unconscious victim in a busy mall?

2. The AED's come with one time use adhesive pads. They can be used over hairy chests and MUST be placed in the location indicated on the instruction sheet. MUST MUST MUST MUST. (No Gel is included, that is for professional defibrilators).

Yarrr++

R++ has the correct answers. I would say it is always better to just start the compressions unless you in a swift way (eg cutting, using scissors, or otherwise easily removable) can remove the bra or clothing. This is unless the clothing severly may obstruct your compressions or in other ways compromise the ABC for the patient.

The pads must be placed where instructed and can be used on hairy chests. It is however a possibility that you will get a lower effect from the defibrillation, since you wont get as good connection to the skin. I would say that picking up that Mach III razor from your shopping bags and starting to shave the chest hair for the pads is an even bolder move to do while someone has an cardiac arrest than trying to remove a bra. :wink3:

[Module88]

Remember CPR is only to assist the victim to have a better chance of survival once the Professionals arrive. EMT Professionals always remove all clothing and have scissors handy to do such fast.

That's true. However, by doing so (or having someone else do it while you're doing the two breaths), you will save them time. And we all know what time means.


How fast are you at removing a rear fasten bra from an unconscious victim in a busy mall?

You don't get it. I don't do bras. Push up pull up top fasten bottom fasten whatever. Bras are NOT my thing.


2. The AED's come with one time use adhesive pads. They can be used over hairy chests and MUST be placed in the location indicated on the instruction sheet. MUST MUST MUST MUST. (No Gel is included, that is for professional defibrilators).

Yarrr++

I was told, actually, that the pads don't necessarily have to go where indicated. They can be reversed or placed in "similar positions." I'm just not sure if the back is a great place to put them. Also note that my CPR instructor was an Army medic for about ten years and a paramedic for about another ten. So it's not like I was training with a newbie.

[{KOW}Spazed]

Dude, you have to get over the bra thing. They aren't hard to take off.

The pads should go where they tell you to put them, going through the back may put them too close to the heart and going across a major muscle that makes them jump/sit up can be bad too.

R++, it isn't a gel that you put on yourself, it is already on the pad.

[Module88]

Dude, you have to get over the bra thing. They aren't hard to take off.

Bras scare me. -_-


The pads should go where they tell you to put them, going through the back may put them too close to the heart and going across a major muscle that makes them jump/sit up can be bad too.

R++, it isn't a gel that you put on yourself, it is already on the pad.

Also forgot to mention- bagar, yes, he did advise using a razor first to shave the area if it was at all possible. But honestly, I don't always have a razor on me. Debriliation is what saves people's lives, and it must be done as quickly as possible. Quite frankly, you probably aren't going to have to time to shave if you have to.

[{KOW}Spazed]

I am curious to hear about the traumatic event in your childhood that has you scared of bras. Half the population wears them and I have yet to hear of anyone being attacked by one.

[Module88]

I am curious to hear about the traumatic event in your childhood that has you scared of bras. Half the population wears them and I have yet to hear of anyone being attacked by one.

Let's just say I've been a bigger *** than I should have been in HS and 99% of the female population despises me. Now use your imagination.

[rplusplus]

I've be certified in CPR for about 25 years now and have been a Red Cross Instructor for 3. What I tell people who are just normal people performing CPR or using an AED is to just do the basics. Unless you are a trained professional just try to help the victim by providing what they need.

Oxygenated blood to the brain.

If you can do that with them wearing a freaking parka while hanging upside down suspended from a 40 foot tree then do it.

And MOD... Like I tell everyone in my classes, you will be amazed at what you are able to do when someones life is in your hands. Nothing will scare you when the time is at hand. You will do what you need to do regardless of the situation.

Also as a side note. I've been trained for all these years and even 19 years in the military and I have never had to use my training except for assiting people who were unconcious. Never actually had to do breaths or compressions. Just treated for shock and called EMS.

Yarr++

[Bortaz]

I don't want module88 doing CPR on me.

[Dondrei]

I don't want module88 doing CPR on me.

Me neither, especially with the bra I'm wearing.


Let's just say I've been a bigger *** than I should have been in HS and 99% of the female population despises me. Now use your imagination.

I'd rather not. You're a little weird about women, aren't you? No offence.

[Module88]

I don't want module88 doing CPR on me.

Guys, I can handle. Women, I can handle. Women with bras... yeah...


I'd rather not. You're a little weird about women, aren't you? No offence.

None taken. Weird is an understatement.

[HaLoPhReAk]

Crum. May I never have to ever perform CPR. But if I do, may it be on a male, please.
DAAM, You'd pass up an oportunity to unhook a girls bra, french kiss her, and save her life all to put ur mouth on a guys? (you a guy right?)

[Module88]

DAAM, You'd pass up an oportunity to unhook a girls bra,

Scared of bras, so, yes.


french kiss her,

Hard to clear the airway with your tongue in there...


and save her life all to put ur mouth on a guys? (you a guy right?)

Well, I carry a disposable CPR Mask on my key chain (has my house and car keys too), so that's not really the issue. :) Obviously I'd prefer a woman for that if I didn't have the mask, although I'm sure the bra thing would totally offset that "benefit."

[WebDragon]

For a moment there I saw the title of the thread and thought you were looking for umm.. immediate help.. :shocked:

[Module88]

For a moment there I saw the title of the thread and thought you were looking for umm.. immediate help.. :shocked:

Yeah... I desperately turned to the OTF in an attempt to save someone's life with CPR. :shocked:

[Amra]

And MOD... Like I tell everyone in my classes, you will be amazed at what you are able to do when someones life is in your hands. Nothing will scare you when the time is at hand. You will do what you need to do regardless of the situation.
This has been true for me. I have done a lot of CPR and each time is different. In most cases any clothing comes off. Of course, we have special scissors to expedite that process.