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27 Questions

Last Answer on April 28, 2016

My restaurant has a defibrillator but I don't know how to use it. In case of an emergency (aka someone needs it), would i have time to read the instructions and use it before they died?

Asked by Demar almost 11 years ago

Good Question--

First, I'm happy to hear that your restaurant has an AED. Getting an AED on someone within the first 2 minutes of a Cardiac Arrest is critical to their survival.

Here is the good news: AEDs are very easy to use. All you have to do is Turn It On and it will talk you through everything else. Every AED will give verbal instructions to lead you through a rescue, step-by-step. And the best part is that if you do something incorrectly (i.e. put the pads in the wrong place), the AED will tell you.

While I always recommend that people take a CPR class to learn how... Read More +

1314 Votes

If you do CPR/AED on someone, and they gain consciousness before the ambulance comes, what should be done?

Asked by Re almost 11 years ago

If you are using an AED (Automated External Defibrillator) and performing CPR, and the victim regains conciousness--Stop doing CPR. Leave the AED in place and turned on. Stay with the victim and be ready to restart CPR again if the vicitm loses conciousness again and stops breathing.

It is very important that you leave the AED in place and turned on. No, it will not shock the concious person. The victim's heart is weak and it may go back into Cardiac Arrest. If this happens, you want the AED on and ready to go-just in case.

1274 Votes

Is it possible to perform CPR on animals? My friend told me that she called 911 when her dog was unresponsive, and they told her to give it chest compressions, which she didn't do because she was freaking out and didn't know whether it would help.

Asked by Ellen91 almost 11 years ago

Hi Ellen 91:

Yes, you can perform CPR on animals. Some states even require that vetrinarians have CPR training for animals.

Some EMS systems even carry dog and cat sized CPR masks for use on animals with an oxygen tank when responding to a fire.

I can understand that your friend was scared-it is traumatic to witness a family member (an yes, dogs are family), needing such strong help.

Like CPR on a human, CPR on a mammal (dog/cat) is not a 100% guarantee of survival, but it can help.

1258 Votes

Why does the 'official' CPR method change from time to time? Like they announce that breathing is no longer part of it, or other changes. Who makes that decision, and why did science not know that until recently?

Asked by AA almost 11 years ago

It seems like everytime you turn on the TV someone is telling you that CPR is different, and it is hard to know who to believe. CPR has always been an evoloving process. I have an old Blue Jacket Manual (US Navy Manual), that belonged to my grandfather in the 1940's-in it, they show CPR as putting the victim on their stomach and moving the arms up and down over the head like a bird flying. My how things have changed!!

Most CPR Guidelines decisions are made on what is called the ECC (Emergency Cardiovascular Care)/AHA Committee. This is based on research and experimental implementation in NIH, Eurpoe and in a... Read More +

1250 Votes

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Hey thanks for doing this Q&A! How effective is the Heimlich? Do you think someone who's not formally trained could successfully perform it on a choking person based solely on what they've seen on TV?

Asked by Stern almost 11 years ago

Hi Stern,

Thanks for sending me a question!

First, I never recommend doing anything you see on TV. Rescue maneuvers shown on screen are edited to dramatic effect and the safety of the actor(s). For example, in the choking scene in Mrs. Doubtfire, you see Robin Williams lifting Peirce Brosnon up so high that they fall backwards. What you don't see a true Heimlich maneuver where the rescuer is forceably thrusting into the victim's stomach. It is dramatic to see an actor fall over, it is painful to actually punch him in the gut.

The Heimlich, or Abdominal Thrust, is very effective at relieving choking... Read More +

1223 Votes

Is it true that when done properly, you're supposed to break ribs doing CPR?

Asked by JOrdy almost 11 years ago

Hi Jordy,

While breaking ribs is a very common side-effect of proper CPR (around a 95% break-rate in adults who recieve CPR), it is not the goal of CPR. In other words, make sure you are pushing very hard (atleast 2" down on anyone over the age of 8) and in the center of the chest. You may hear/feel a snap or grinding-it is ok.

It is better to break some ribs than allow someone to stay dead.

1191 Votes

Are there differences between how you should perform CPR on a man vs. a woman? (Like, because women have breasts, do you have to do the compressions differently?)

Asked by JerBear almost 11 years ago

Hi JerBear,

This is actually a very common question. And no, your technique will not change dependent upon the victims' sex.

CPR is done on bare-skin. This means that if the cardiac arrest victim is a female, the bra needs to be removed. When the bra is removed and the female is on her back, to put it delicatly, breast will move East-West, not North-South. Any 'obstruction,' no matter the size, weight or density, real or after-market, will move to the side and you will have a clear space to put your hands to push.

Remember too that the proper CPR hands are not laying flat along the chest-instead... Read More +

1179 Votes

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CPR Trainer

Ask me anything!

What do YOU do?

My restaurant has a defibrillator but I don't know how to use it. In case of an emergency (aka someone needs it), would i have time to read the instructions and use it before they died?

If you do CPR/AED on someone, and they gain consciousness before the ambulance comes, what should be done?

Is it possible to perform CPR on animals? My friend told me that she called 911 when her dog was unresponsive, and they told her to give it chest compressions, which she didn't do because she was freaking out and didn't know whether it would help.

Why does the 'official' CPR method change from time to time? Like they announce that breathing is no longer part of it, or other changes. Who makes that decision, and why did science not know that until recently?

Also on Jobstr...

Hey thanks for doing this Q&A! How effective is the Heimlich? Do you think someone who's not formally trained could successfully perform it on a choking person based solely on what they've seen on TV?

Is it true that when done properly, you're supposed to break ribs doing CPR?

Are there differences between how you should perform CPR on a man vs. a woman? (Like, because women have breasts, do you have to do the compressions differently?)

CPR Trainer

Ask me anything!

What do YOU do?

My restaurant has a defibrillator but I don't know how to use it. In case of an emergency (aka someone needs it), would i have time to read the instructions and use it before they died?

If you do CPR/AED on someone, and they gain consciousness before the ambulance comes, what should be done?

Is it possible to perform CPR on animals? My friend told me that she called 911 when her dog was unresponsive, and they told her to give it chest compressions, which she didn't do because she was freaking out and didn't know whether it would help.

Why does the 'official' CPR method change from time to time? Like they announce that breathing is no longer part of it, or other changes. Who makes that decision, and why did science not know that until recently?

Also on Jobstr...

Hey thanks for doing this Q&A! How effective is the Heimlich? Do you think someone who's not formally trained could successfully perform it on a choking person based solely on what they've seen on TV?

Is it true that when done properly, you're supposed to break ribs doing CPR?

Are there differences between how you should perform CPR on a man vs. a woman? (Like, because women have breasts, do you have to do the compressions differently?)

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