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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to expect my DH to learn how to do CPR

83 replies

Rissolesfortea · 18/02/2014 15:04

watching a programme on tv recently where someone did cpr on someone and saved their life I asked my DH if he would know what to do in such a situation. He said he wouldn't have a clue.

I told him to google it in case he ever needed to do it but he just shrugged and carried on watching tv.

AIBU or is he?

OP posts:
Joules68 · 18/02/2014 15:07

you cant just google it then expect to be able to actually doit correctly if the need arised!!!

yabu.....he needs a first aid course,not a quick google!

sadbodyblue · 18/02/2014 15:08

maybe he was in the middle of watching a favourite programme and didn't want you interrupting him with daft questions.

it should be taught at school as should other life skills like how to manage finances, how to deal with the fucking tax office and how to cook meals that don't use 100 ingredients and can feed a family of 4 without using all your wages.

sadly none of those are going to happen.

Ragwort · 18/02/2014 15:09

Can you do CPR?

I have been on a few first aid courses and can do it in the classroom situation but not sure if I could in real life. Confused.

hufflebottom · 18/02/2014 15:09

There are heartstart courses which I believe teach cpr (feel free to tell me if I'm wrong)

RunRabbit · 18/02/2014 15:19

YABU.

Even if he knew how to do CPR you can't know how he would react in that situation. Some people go into a panic or their mind goes blank.

And ideally you should do a first aid course not 'google it'. What if you do it wrong? Or misjudge the situation?

I was once told of a situation where a man (A) went down and another man (B) dove in to do CPR. Luckily there was a paramedic who recognised man A was having a seizure, and you shouldn't give CPR during one.

Original poster
Rissolesfortea · 18/02/2014 15:20

I have never had to do it thank goodness but I think I could if needed, I would certainly try. I have done a first aid course although it was many years ago, I think I can remember the basics.

He would never do a first aid course, he is lazy, uninterested and unwilling to learn anything, he would only go if I went too.

I agree, it should be something taught in schools, as should any basic first aid. Most school children will eventually become parents and a knowledge of first aid is invaluable.

OP posts:
sadbodyblue · 18/02/2014 15:21

Ragwort that's why they have made the course now much simpler by cutting out the breaths and the 1:5 ratios etc. simply doing chest compressions is far easier.

as a nurse take it from me if someone has stopped breathing and there are no other people stepping up to the plate it's best to do something than nothing as the patient is dying.

if you have seen the vinnie jones adverts that's what you do.

call for help first.

check for a pulse, if none do the compression, keep airway open by extending the neck.

yes valid to say never move a person in case of neck injury but if they are not breathing you are not going to make it worse!!

if you manage to get a pulse great turn on side and protect airway.

the trouble with making it somehow difficult stops people saving lives. you are basically just trying to kick start a muscle.

Joules68 · 18/02/2014 15:21

and yabu to 'expect' it too....he is his own person and can do as he likes!

specialsubject · 18/02/2014 15:22

if you did a first aid course years ago, it is better than nothing but procedures change.

the person most likely to need first aid is the one who sleeps next to you at 4am. You may not save their life but you would know that you did all you could.

everyone who can - get your arses to a first aid course.

Joules68 · 18/02/2014 15:22

first aid courses expire and advice changes over the years

so both of you go to one then?

bangersmashandbeans · 18/02/2014 15:23

With all due respect, neither googling it or having done a course many years ago is likely to equip you with the ability to do correct CPR. If you feel so strongly about it how about you lay off your DH and book yourself on a course?

sadbodyblue · 18/02/2014 15:24

run if someone is having a seizure they would immediately react to you pushing in their chest and be moving anyway and should be breathing.

during a fit just leave the person alone and make sure they are safe from other objects. never ever put your fingers in the mouth. turn inside if it's safe to do so but otherwise just stay and observe to keep safe.

Golferman · 18/02/2014 15:25

The pulse check is no longer done, this was taken out of Resus guidelines in 2005. As an ex paramedic and someone currently working in the defibrillator business everyone should know CPR in my opinion and we need more automated external defibrillators in public and workplaces to save live from sudden cardiac arrest. Out of interest, how many MN posters have AEDs in their workplace and know how to use it?

NomDeClavier · 18/02/2014 15:27

I think all parents should be offered first aid training when their DC are born and in the first years of school as a refresher, and it should be on the curriculum from the age of 11. Pigs migjt fly though..

The UK has one of the lowest percentages of the general population with first aid training in Europe.

Original poster
Rissolesfortea · 18/02/2014 15:28

He did say that he would ring my daughter, she lives up the road and is a nurse, he couldn't grasp the fact that there would be no time.

I get the feeling that if I had a heart attack I wouldn't stand a chance!

OP posts:
NomDeClavier · 18/02/2014 15:28

Golferman where I live (France) we have AEDs on the street with idiot proof instructions. It saves lots of lives.

sadbodyblue · 18/02/2014 15:29

if someone is not breathing and had no pulse with redirect it is always better to do something than nothing as they have died.

it's very sad that people get so hung up in correct procedures that people watch others die as they are too scared to do anything.

that's why they have simplified it to just chest compressions. not the only reason but one.

Pigeonhouse · 18/02/2014 15:31

My friend's son's life was saved by a teacher who knew CPR and the existence of a defibrillator nearby. I did a baby and child first aid course last year that covered CPR for babies and children, but worry that I would not be able to perform it correctly if needed. My workplace requires all staff to train in how to use a defibrillator.

Joules68 · 18/02/2014 15:31

golfer theres one at the local park,attached to the football changing rooms

JugglingFromHereToThere · 18/02/2014 15:31

If it's something you feel strongly about (and it's a good thing to care about I'd say) then maybe you could both do a course together, as it's good to update first aid skills regularly anyway, and you said he might do one if you do too ?
YAB slightly U to expect him to get immediately up to speed on it just because you suddenly say so!

RunRabbit · 18/02/2014 15:32

sadbodyblue It didn't get that far the paramedic stepped in before the guy could start.

The shocking part was how forceful man B was about doing CPR just because he knew how. And by not doing anything he was yelling that the paramedic was just letting him die. (No one knew she was a paramedic she was in plain clothes).

Even if he had started doing CPR and and the guy reacted to the pushing and moved away. I don't think he would have noticed. He was so hell bent on doing what he though was right. Hmm

sadbodyblue · 18/02/2014 15:32

Golferman I am a nursing sister but now a TA so have done 2 first aid courses the last in November.

the paramedic instructed all to check for a pulse.

Joules68 · 18/02/2014 15:35

I performed cpr on my mil 13 years ago. she had a heart attack. fil and I were doing it together....me the compressions and he was doing the mouth breaths.she was blue. fil walked away saying it was hopeless but I carried on til paramedics arrived. she died 10 days later but I felt I'd done all I could even though she never regained consciousness.

sadbodyblue · 18/02/2014 15:36

well there are always idiots in any situation but will reiterate, if someone has no pulse and is not breathing they are in deep deep trouble and if you do nothing they will continue to die.

sadbodyblue · 18/02/2014 15:38

joules you stepped up and did your best. sadly it really is a rough and ready fist aid to maybe save a life but often doesn't do this.

you know you did the right thing.