Stayin 'Alive: TCAD Offers Free Hands-Free CPR Courses | News Free



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Once a month, the Taney County Ambulance District offers a free one-hour CPR course. However, this course is different from your average CPR class. It's hands-only.

Free hand cardiopulmonary resuscitation has recently gained popularity with groups such as the American Heart Association and TCAD as an acceptable alternative to traditional word-of-mouth.

In traditional CPR, a person suffering from cardiac arrest receives breaths through the mouth followed by hard and quick compressions on the chest to restart the heart. CPR-trained spectators can help those who suffer from cardiac arrest until paramedics or other medical help arrives.

However, according to TCAD clinical captain and course instructor Chris Strobach, the results are daunting. "One of the things we have learned over the last few years is that when it comes to saving someone in cardiac arrest on the outside," he says. From a hospital, survival rates have always been catastrophic, "Strobach told a course Thursday. "The reality is, if you are suffering from cardiac arrest outside of a hospital – any assumptions as to what the survival rate is?"

Class participants said their assumptions – 50, 40, we guess as low as 10%.

The reality, Strobach said, is that only about 4 percent of those who suffer from cardiac arrest outside a hospital survive. Part of the problem is that not enough people know how to help. That's why the Hollister TCAD and Rotary Club work together to offer free courses.

"Our goal is to train at least 2,000 people in this field in cardiopulmonary resuscitation because we believe it can save lives," said Rotary member Debbie Redford. "In fact, two months ago we had a woman who came to class and saved her life."

During the course, Strobach discussed the reasoning behind the teaching of Manual RCR. About 12 years ago, some Arizona doctors realized that CPR survival rates were low because traditional CPR followed the ABC of emergency medicine – airways, respiration and circulation

. a patient. First, determine that the airways are clear and then check that they are breathing. After establishing breathing, evaluate circulation or pulse.

This system works well for most cases, said Strobach, but not in case of cardiac arrest. During a cardiac arrest, the heart stops completely or enters ventricular fibrillation, or V-fib, which is similar to a heart attack. If the heart stops, the most important thing to remember is not the airway or breathing – that's the circulation.

According to Strobach, 350,000 people in the United States suffer sudden cardiac arrest each year. Of these, 98 percent have some kind of heart disease. The other 2 percent includes other factors such as drowning, choking, or an overdose of opioids. CPR hands-free does not work on children because they are often in the 2 percent but works for adults.

"Traditional CPR is perfect for the 2 percent," Strobach said. "For the vast majority, the traditional CPR does not cut it.The 98 percent, their hearts stop.When a heart stops, there is still oxygen in the bloodstream By the time you get to the traffic, the patient is dead brain.Oxygen is there.Why am I so focused on the airways and breathing … if there is any? "Oxygen out there" It does not circulate Let's start with the compressions CABs Circulate the blood that's there. "

CPR Hands-only changes order from ABC to CAB. Chest compressions are the most important aspect. Strobach taught participants how to evaluate if someone needs a CPR and how to perform chest compressions.

First, check if they are receptive by talking to them loudly and shaking them. If they do not respond, they may need CPR. At this point, you or someone else in the area must call 911.

If you are alone, put the phone in speakerphone mode and continue the rest of the process. The next step is to check the breath using the "look, listen and feel" method. Place the ear near the mouth, watch the chest for breathing movements, and listen to breathe through the mouth and feel for breath on the face. If breathing is not noticeable within 10 seconds, begin compressions.

The compressions must be done correctly to be effective. Place the heel of one hand in the center of the chest, place your other hand on the top and position yourself so that your arms are straight with your shoulders above the place of your hands. Then lock your elbows and start rocking your body, placing your hands in the chest.

The cuts should be deep enough for you to begin to feel resistance, says Strobach. It's about one to two inches.

Also important is the rate of compressions. They must be between 100 and 120 beats per minute. One common method to keep pace is to use the rhythm of the chorus of "Stayin 'Alive" by the Bee Gees. It's exactly 100 beats per minute.

Strobach pointed out that speed of response is important when administering one or the other type of CPR. When the heart stops beating, the brain does not receive oxygen. While other organs can last up to an hour after stopping the heart, the brain only has a few minutes.

After four or five minutes, the brain begins to die. After 10, the brain cells are gone.

By performing chest compressions, a person can keep oxygen circulating in the brain long enough for first responders to help the victim on arrival. According to Strobach, the average response time of an ambulance from Taney County is seven minutes.

"We can not do our job only as paramedics," said Strobach. "It's a community effort, we're in the same boat."

Strobach also demonstrated how to use an automated external defibrillator, the shocking wafers often seen in medical television series. These can be used if someone is experiencing V-fib. It puts the heart in rhythm, but does not restart a flat heart.

According to Strobach, there are about 200 AEDs in Taney County in many public places like Branson Landing. They can be found in large white metal boxes. At Branson Landing, there are three, one next to each bathroom, according to their map.

Tom Willcox, pastor of the First Presbyterian Church in Branson, attended Thursday's class. He is also the head of the emergency medical team at the church. Ken and Alicia Kimberlin, another pastor and a retired nurse, were present. They are also part of the team.

"We try to make sure that all church leaders can, at a minimum, use CPR only by the hands," Willcox said. "This is a reminder for me, but it is always good to improve."

According to the AHA, manual CPR does not meet the requirements if a job requires CPR training, but may serve as a point to learn CPR and save lives.

The following two courses will be held on Thursday, August 23 at 1 pm and Thursday, September 27 at 9 am in the Taney County Ambulance District in Hollister.

Participation is free, but limited to 20 participants per class. Register online at hollisterchamber.net.

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