In my business, I do a lot of traveling, attending scientific meetings and visiting other doctors. However, in all my travels, only once have I been called upon to use my knowledge of emergency care to help a passenger in distress, fortunately with a happy ending.
I am a firm believer that cardiopulmonary resuscitation (commonly known as CPR) should be required instruction in every American school.
Seldom are there warning signals when someone is about to need help from this lifesaving technique. To find yourself in the role of helpless bystander at such times can leave you feeling angry and frustrated that there was nothing you could do to help.
Yes, CPR has saved thousands of lives. It is comparatively easy to learn, you don’t need a medical degree and classes are usually offered in most communities through such agencies as the American Red Cross, local hospitals, churches, first aid organizations and the fire department or similar EMS group.
Learning CPR is not limited to the physically strong or muscle-bound individual. Anyone can learn; even those with certain physical disabilities can use their expertise by guiding others through the process.
It takes but a few hours to complete a CPR course, but the skill you learn will be with you for the rest of your life.
Just think, if you save one life because you took a few hours to learn CPR, can you imagine a greater sense of accomplishment or reward? Especially if that life is your father’s or your child’s?
One of the greatest improvements to CPR education has been the introduction of “Resusci Annie,” one of the smartest dummies ever created. She will tell you if you are applying CPR correctly or incorrectly; she will help you to master the right way to breathe and to do chest compressions.
You will be delighted when you see the light that indicates that you have saved Annie’s life!
We are all fortunate that there exists a CPR method that is both easy to learn and effective. CPR is for everyone. It can be performed easily on adults and on children; and you don’t need special tools or medications — just some training, a little common sense and the desire to save a life. (I’ve even heard of instances when people saved their pet’s life by applying CPR. But don’t try it on your goldfish — that would get a bit messy!)
Do yourself a favor — enroll in a CPR class as soon as possible. Like the proverbial boy scout, be prepared.
Dr. Michael M. Warren is Ashbel Smith professor of surgery at University of Texas Medical Branch Division of Urology.
