Today I got to do a CPR class in Japan. It was sponsored by Red Cross Japan, and was free for teachers. I have taken quite a few Red Cross CPR classes over the years, so I know how the classes generally go in America. I was really surprised how different the classes are here. Some of the things went against what I had learned at home. They begin by shaking the victim to see if they are ok. I was always taught not to shake the victim incase of a neck or back injury. They also do not check for a pulse, this made me really nervous because they are taught to use an AED (Automatic external defibrillator). I would think it would be really important to make sure they had no pulse before using the AED. They do check for breath, but not for pulse.
In Japan there are AEDs everywhere. Just like how we have fire extinguishers strategically placed in America, they have AEDs here in Japan.
Most of the CPR class was devoted to the AED. I was glad to learn how to use it. I passed the CPR training here, and am now confident in how to use an AED here in case of emergency.
The CPR class is based on "2010 AHA Guidelines for CPR and ECC". The guideline emphasizes starting CPR as soon as possible to feed oxygen into the brain.
ReplyDeleteIt says, when pulse is not confirmed in ten seconds, CPR should be started immediately before airway maintenance.
I agree with you that shaking victim strongly is prohibited when there exist possibility of neck or back injury. I was told that we should tap the person's shoulder and ask louder to confirm sleep or faint.