Question: What is the purpose of CPR?

You know when you take the thawed out chicken and make it dance?

CPR's sorta like that. You make the blood go around and the air go in and out. If the pulse will spontaneously reestablish, it keeps the organs going long enough for that to happen. It can also keep them going long enough for someone to arrive with an AED, or a paramedic unit. CPR in and of itself will not reestablish a pulse, according to current thinking.

Also, with the current regime, it is a great way to leave four or five EMT-B's and bystanders lying around exhauisted by the etime the paramedics arrive.
 
Is there any recent research regarding the efficacy of pre-cordial thumps? I'll be honest, as a basic right now I don't see myself ever doing one (unless I see someone code in the middle of nowhere and an AED is a long long way away), but I would be interested to know if this technique is still worth trying.
 
jjesusfreak01 said:
Is there any recent research regarding the efficacy of pre-cordial thumps? I'll be honest, as a basic right now I don't see myself ever doing one (unless I see someone code in the middle of nowhere and an AED is a long long way away), but I would be interested to know if this technique is still worth trying.
Click to expand...

Last time I remember reading anything about it said that it MAY work if the patient has just coded. I'll try to figure out where I read that.
 
jjesusfreak01 said:
Is there any recent research regarding the efficacy of pre-cordial thumps? I'll be honest, as a basic right now I don't see myself ever doing one (unless I see someone code in the middle of nowhere and an AED is a long long way away), but I would be interested to know if this technique is still worth trying.
Click to expand...

Seen it about a month ago in the ER. Second time. Still scared the living daylights out of me at first. This time however it didn't work (not sure if they got him back later) First time worked and went into a a-fib (not sure why...maybe it was that before)
 
jjesusfreak01 said:
Is there any recent research regarding the efficacy of pre-cordial thumps? I'll be honest, as a basic right now I don't see myself ever doing one (unless I see someone code in the middle of nowhere and an AED is a long long way away), but I would be interested to know if this technique is still worth trying.
Click to expand...

Not aware of any recent research, but here's how I think of it. If watch someone arrest, and don't have a defibrillator available, is there anything to lose?
 
Recent research? Not that I know of, and I havent checked in months, but I have seen studies showing that in witnessed V-fib, when administered pretty darn quick, it does have some success.


I've seen it done once, in the ER last year, when an extasy OD vent in to VT after being RSI'd.



I've not done it myself, only due to the fact that EVERY SINGLE DARN arrest I work is asystole when I get there. Selfish people, not letting me shock them!
 
ARC doesn't teach precordial thump

I suspect, like most cases where CPR saves the pt, that they were due to come out of it anyway.
I can tell you personally, however, when atrial fib gets going, strong prolonged coughing can help.
 
This video should explain everything you'll ever need to know about CPR, very educational
 
foxfire said:
LOL! Love it. Too bad in real life we don't get background music.
Click to expand...

I beg to differ, I always call for a band assist on my codes, but I'm the vocals. My last set list comprised of Free Bird and Sweet Child O' Mine, I do take requests as well.
 
fast65 said:
Last time I remember reading anything about it said that it MAY work if the patient has just coded. I'll try to figure out where I read that.
Click to expand...

As long as you don't break off the tip of their sternum and lodge it into their heart.
 
You know what is even cooler than CPR is when the old bloke who are working on goes into VT so you smash him in the chest with your fist and he wakes back up :D
 
MrBrown said:
You know what is even cooler than CPR is when the old bloke who are working on goes into VT so you smash him in the chest with your fist and he wakes back up :D
Click to expand...

Amen! Done that. Once. Friggin' awesome!
 
Chuck Norris doesn't need defibrillators. Chuck Norris' fist are defibrillators.
 
samiam said:
As long as you don't break off the tip of their sternum and lodge it into their heart.
Click to expand...
You might want to review your anatomy. The xiphoid is pretty well south and to the right of the heart. If you're pushing in a way to get in displaced superiorly you need to have your CPR card revoked.
 
usafmedic45 said:
You might want to review your anatomy. The xiphoid is pretty well south and to the right of the heart. If you're pushing in a way to get in displaced superiorly you need to have your CPR card revoked.
Click to expand...



First ever CPR, I walked in to the room and the nursing home nurse was doing it in that exact spot. I was like "Thanks, we have it from here"



Seriously, CPR isn't hard. Even if you're NEVER done anything BUT the class, you should be able to do it fine. Apparently not...
 
usafmedic45 said:
You might want to review your anatomy. The xiphoid is pretty well south and to the right of the heart. If you're pushing in a way to get in displaced superiorly you need to have your CPR card revoked.
Click to expand...

I was referring to improperly preforming a precordial thump.... not cpr.
 
samiam said:
I was referring to improperly preforming a precordial thump.... not cpr.
Click to expand...
Try again.....my previous comment still stands.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top