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CAB is the new CPR

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For those who haven’t had to get or renew their CPR certification for awhile, you might be surprised to know that In 2010, the American Heart Association updated the CPR guidelines.

We once memorized Airway, Breathing and Compressions to administer CPR, but like most everything, advances give us reason to improve our methods.

We’re now learning, Compressions, Airway and Breathing; same words, different order.  This new order allows CPR to begin immediately, keeping the blood pumping to the brain and providing a better chance of survival.

Additionally, AHA has eliminated the Listen and Feel sequence, and replaced it with Look only. The rate of compression is now 100 beats per minute, and at least two inches deep.

With these new guidelines, the AHA hopes to encourage bystanders to take action faster.

The Signs of Drowning: They Aren’t What You Think

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A few years ago, Slate posted a very enlightening article about identifying the signs of drowning, and they aren’t what you think. In TV and film, a drowning victim may wave their arms and shout for help, but in reality, the signs are much more subtle.

Drowning is silent. Though you might expect a drowning victim to call out for help, many victims can’t even get their heads above the water to do so. In addition, since the body is working so hard to keep breathing and stay to the surface, it’s also unlikely that a drowning victim would be able to get someone’s attention before passing out.

While many life guards are trained to identify the signs, it’s important for anyone planning to be in or near the water to be able to identify them. Especially in a situation where there are many children and a lot of commotion, it’s very easy to misinterpret a quiet child for one that is actively drowning.

According to Slate, these are signs to look for:

  • Head low in the water, mouth at water level
  • Head tilted back with mouth open
  • Eyes glassy and empty, unable to focus
  • Eyes closed
  • Hair over forehead or eyes
  • Not using legs—vertical
  • Hyperventilating or gasping
  • Trying to swim in a particular direction but not making headway
  • Trying to roll over on the back
  • Appear to be climbing an invisible ladder

Drowning is the No. 2 cause of accidental death among children and is entirely preventable. It’s important to know the signs of drowning in order to prevent it, but it’s also important to know the life-saving skill of CPR.

Now that you are one step ahead of the game and can identify a drowning victim, make sure to hone up on your CPR skills, which can drastically increase the chance of living after a child or adult has been submerged in the water.

Why Learn CPR?

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CPR infographic

(click to enlarge)

Can you believe that only 70% of the American public knows how to perform CPR. Especially considering how many people go into cardiac arrest annually, and how effective CPR can be if administered to a cardiac arrest victim, it’s a very discouraging number.

Think about it this way: in your lifetime, someone you know and love is likely to suffer from cardiac arrest and require CPR to save their life. The more people who know how to administer CPR, the more likely this person will make a full recovery. Even if you know how to do CPR, you should also encourage others to learn as well. It’s quite a useful tool when done correctly and swiftly.

And learning CPR is easy peasy with Simple CPR. Just a few hours and you’ll be ready to be the local hero! ONline CPR has never been easier! Don’t be one of the 70% of Americans who can’t step in and save a life! Learn CPR with Simple CPR today!