Aibu to be a bit shocked at St Johns Ambulance teaching of CPR?

[Hairyfairy01]

Dd recently attended at group where St Johns Ambulance very kindly agreed to teach the kids first aid and CPR. However I was a bit shocked that they were still teaching the 2 puffs and 30 pumps on the chest technique.

I thought this method stopped being taught years ago thanks to Vinnie .Jones and his 'staying alive' campaign with the British Heart Foundation? It certainly isn't how you are taught it in the NHS.

AIBU to think that such organisations should be teaching people, especially very young children, the correct, most up to date techniques or am I just being ungrateful?

I was shattered after doing compressions for ages! You need quite a bit of force, ribs often break toon

Interesting just how much force is needed to do chest compression's properly

Agree! I came across a scene a few years ago in the street, a young man was trying to give CPR rather ineffectively. Car pulled up, and a women in her 70s (I guess) got out, pushed him out of the way, and stated "this is how you do it!". Then proceeded to vigorously push away, with a couple of audible cracks. Luckily the patient came too just as an ambulance arrived. She told him, the patient, not to move, and apologised for breaking a few ribs. Then got back in the car and drove away - have no idea who she was but I booked myself on a first aid course as she was so inspiring!

I've been doing first aid courses every few years since I was about 14, so over 30 years, lifeguard and first-aider at work. I also did St John at school, as a 6th form elective. I do think it should be included in the curriculum - and I think it's a good thing in countries where it's part of the driving test. I've always just thought, what if you came across someone and had no idea what to do?

The rules do change from time to time, because they do research on what is most effective. The last refresher or two ago, it had gone back to 30:2 because there's not much point having oxygen in the blood if it's not getting moved round the body. It's different if they've been under water - you do need to get some air in then.

I've always just thought, what if you came across someone and had no idea what to do?

I know you're trained (and I wish everyone else was too) but just wanted to add to this for anyone untrained reading this thread, if you do come across someone and have no idea what to do, call 999. We'll talk you through it.

Compressions are exhausting. I was knackered just from training, I've never had to do it in real life (touch wood). I think adrenaline must help, I'm continually amazed at people who I've heard giving really good CPR (rib breaking) from hands-on-chest to when the ambulance arrives, so sometimes up to 8 minutes+ of two pumps per second.

SomedayMyPrinceWillCome "CPR buys time, defibs may restart the heart."

No it won't. Defibrillators shock the heart back into a stable rhythm, but if the heart is stopped it will not be restarted by a defibrillator.