CPR First Aid in the dojo
Sudden cardiac arrest is a very real possibility in any martial arts dojo. Every three days, more Americans die from sudden cardiac arrest than the number who died in the 9-11 attacks. You can lessen this recurring loss by learning Continuous Chest Compression CPR, a hands-only CPR method that doubles a person’s chance of surviving cardiac arrest. It’s easy and does not require mouth-to-mouth contact, making it more likely bystanders will try to help, and it was developed here at the University of Arizona College of Medicine. “This video is worth sharing,” said Gordon A. Ewy, MD, director of the UA Sarver Heart Center which is associated with the University of Arizona, College of Medicine.
First aid courses around the world are now starting to teach this apporach as an alternative to the traditionla CPR method. The steps in text format are:
1. Tell someone to call 911 or make the call yourself.
2. Position the person with the back on the floor. Place the heel of one hand on the center of the chest (between the nipples) and the heel of the other hand on top of the first. Lock your elbows, position your shoulders over your hands and use your upper-body weight to “fall” downward. Lift your hands slightly each time to allow the chest wall to recoil. Try to compress at 100 beats per minute and about 2 inches deep until emergency help arrives.
Note: Mouth-to-mouth CPR still is recommended for drowning and very small children.
