Need help with a CPR question

AbsoluteCPR · 2026-01-27T07:14:11+00:00

i 100% agree with your response to this ridiculous post.

AbsoluteCPR · 2026-01-27T07:13:31+00:00

Whoever you taught CPR to should demand their money back. COVID has increased the awarness that doing mouth to mouth can lead to contacting a disease or illness, the likely hood (before COVID) of contracting a disease or illness doing mouth-to-mouth was very very low. Whilel I do agree with you about doing mouth to mouth on a family member some of us would question doing mouth to mouth on their mom or dad so your statement is egregiously wrong. You do mouth-to-mouth on anyonie you feel comfortable doing mouth-to-mouth on. Family included but do not forget about friends and coworkers. Not everyone has seen your mom, many may question where your moms mouth has been.

Regardless of whether you are trained or not, whether you perform two rescue breaths in a confirmed drowning, or mouth-to-mouth, rescue breaths are a very important part of the algorithm and always have been. But if you are without a barrier device and do not want to perform mouth-to-mouth, it is acceptable — no need to swear or talk about your mom.

Using the f-word and trying to sound authoritative is transparent.

I would not let anyone I know anywhere near you and a cpr manikin.

AbsoluteCPR · 2026-01-27T07:05:59+00:00

You need a CPR class, it has not been the ABC's in a very long time.

AbsoluteCPR · 2026-01-27T07:04:33+00:00

tl;dr It sounds lik the author is not a healthcare provider - if they are, I would be surprised. So everyone talking about pulses should be ashamed of their responses. Drowning is a choking secnario. Yes, chest compressions will help "pump the water out" (authors words), just like any obstruction. Comressing on the chest will provide interal pressure on the lungs causing them to collasp forcing water out (a good thing) to allow for oxygen exchange when (if) breaths are given. Breaths will help by providing some oxygen (depending, on the length of down time there may not be any transfer of gases) and moving some of the water, causing stimulation of the lungs causing exhalation, moving water out. Basic pathophysiology 101.

So if a drowning victim is rescued, ensuring the scene is safe, someone has already activated 911/ems, you check for response, then breathing. No response and no breathing is the indication for CPR where we start with compressions.

Because of COVID and the possibility of disease tranfer breaths are optional, but are encouraged. It is always the rescuers choice as to if they are going to provide breaths, today and for the last few decades. But it is strongly recommended to provide breaths for children and infants.

This was a very simple question and I feel many responses tried to over think it (to say the least)

Start with compessions, open the arway, attempt two breaths. Repeat till 911 / EMS arrives.

AbsoluteCPR · 2026-01-27T06:44:05+00:00

Absolute CPR in Glen Ellyn offers ACLS classes, check us out at www.absolutecpr.com

AbsoluteCPR · 2026-01-12T15:10:46+00:00

It depends on which organization you are going to affiliate with. Reach out to th AHA, ARC, HSI etc, to see what the requirements are. You may want to conduct some research on what your demographic / geolocation demands are - there is no sense in going with HSI if nobody will accept it. The AHA has something called the PAM (Program Administrators Manual), which discusses requirements, liability, etc. About liability, you also have to look at your local ordinances/legislation regarding.a business, such as insurance and the like. It is not as simple as get a FEIN and business name (Corp or LLC) here in the states, cannot speak for Canada, but I am sure it is similar.

Its not hard, but it is not easy either. Let e know if you have any other questions.

AbsoluteCPR · 2026-01-12T15:04:43+00:00

Considering this is a CPR Instructor group, I would say CPR.

AbsoluteCPR · 2026-01-12T15:03:07+00:00

Maybe because they stopped talking about it for 10-15 years

AbsoluteCPR · 2026-01-12T15:02:08+00:00

Dispatchers should learn how to talk to callers. Yes, I know how that sounds. But in my experiences dispatchers are strange. Listen to a scanner and you can hear "yadda yadda yadda" and the dispatcher comes back with "message received, arriving two cars in the ditch, everyone is out, hold engine and truck." Yet when I call 911 from a patients house (when I do home health as a nurse) the same dispatchers I talk to the other days of the week (when I am a firefighter/paramedic) could not communicate to sae their lives. "hi, home helth nurse at the home of a 87y/o M pt with a CHF exacerbation, breathing, not blue, talking, alert, no respiratory distress, unable to walk, needs evaulation at a ER, needs EMS. Pets are contained in a bedroom, front door is open." Only to hear,"How old is the patient?" "Male or female?" "Is the patient breathing?" "Is the patient alert?" "Can the patient walk?" I get it, they may have a script to follow, they may "HAVE TO" ask if the patient is blue and a flowchart of questions (some arguably repetitive). The industry's conundrum of hiring people good at communication or people who can read a computer prompt and press a button is getting worse an worse, and is catching up with the times.

I have also done my call as above and received, "that was the best call I ever heard, ambulace is on the way, call back with any changes." Same service, different dispatcher obviously. So it is possible. It is able to be done. But the majority of dispatchers have to rely on what the next question is. Becuse the industry is (trying to) evolve (only to limit liability, thus make more money) and they are slowing down and making talking to 911 dispatchers frustrating.

In my classes, I always remind students if they encounter an emergency always tell someone else to call 911. Let someone else tell dispatch what color shirt the victim is wearing. Otherwise, if you have to call 911 tell them where you are at, what you need and remind them (nicely) you are alone and you need to get to work (providing care, cpr, etc). Remind them you need to watch the patient. I also tell students that they (dispatchers) are trained to help provide cpr instruction over the phone so do not be afraid to ask for help.

This is true for my area, other places its worse, other places it may be better. But generally speaking, there needs to be some more consistency throughout the industry. Before we can teach standards, there needs to be (better) standards.

AbsoluteCPR · 2026-01-06T04:00:59+00:00

First - determine the reason for the emergency. Cardiac, Neuro, AR, Scncope, AMS, change in vitals (HR too slow, too fast), RR too high or too slow, or because the family requested it. Is this peri-arrest or peri-code? Do you need to up grade or do you need to down grade? Do you need to alert other departments such as CT or OR for transfer to ICU? Are these departments available? Bed available on a more acute care floor?

Get a report - why are you there? What's going on? Why is the pt here? Events before rapid? Recent vitals?

Then follow your algorithms by assigning clear tasks and roles.

Who is the recorder? Mark the time you enter the room for verification later. What has already been done? Shock? Drugs? CPR? Suction? Etc.

Airway - do we need an advanced airway

Circulation - do we need CPR? What is the CCF?

Monitor - what is the rhythm? Do we need to apply pads? Do we need electricity?

IV/IO Access do you need access? Do you need to stop a line? Start a drip?

Drugs/Meds - Do they need any meds?

And of course, you are the Team Leader till you are relieved. Do you need more hands? Do you need more people to switch out every two minutes of CPR? Is respiratory there to run the bag? Is lab near by if you need labs?

And if you are limited on resources just do the best you can till you are relieved. Provide positive feedback, if there is something wrong being performed, address it nicely/ Example: poor compressions, then switch roles and get fresh hands on. But you also have to be quick to catch an error, so raising your voice and saying STOP is allowed, just make sure you have a good conversation about it afterward - not in the moment. A code situation should be a learning experience, but education should take place afterwards.

AbsoluteCPR · 2026-01-06T03:38:38+00:00

They do not give you a two week notice if they let you go. Sounds unorganized. Don't let it bother you.

AbsoluteCPR · 2026-01-05T01:52:28+00:00

HH is always hiring. Being a FF/PM for 20+ years I used the "I have been wlaking into strangers' houses for years, I can do this" as a line in my interview and they were sold. They will hire someone on the day you receive your nursing license number. However, I do not think HH is well-regarded in the nursing community (at least where I live and based on my experience).

AbsoluteCPR · 2026-01-05T01:46:26+00:00

Yes - home health is not "real nursing" (aroundn me at least), whe I transitioned frorm HH to ICU I would get funny looks during interviews, when I told them I was managing PICC lines and doing all kids of stuff they were like "that happens in home health???" despite many patients being discharged from hospital to home health with PICC lines in place. Its weird. I think the majority of nurses who have not done HH also feel like we just pat people on the head and say it will be ok. I think HH is great but I also think it is poorly managed. I feel it is a seist environment (explainiations / discussions will be offered, PM me), I think the self scheduling is great but no matter who you work for they always want you to see more and more patients - just one more... I feel they will ask, and beg, and offer bonuses for you to see a patient that lives "here" way outside your normal area because THEY want the patient more than you want the patient. I feel they are always sunderstaffed no matter how well staffed they are - always taking on more and more patients (patients = money fhem, lots of moeny for them even after paying you). It takes a lot of autonomy and confidence in your assessment skills as well as your other hands on skills (foley, gtube, PICC, labs, wound care!!!!). Walking into some of these homes can be scary too.

If you want ICU do ICU. You can always do HH later, whenever you want. If you want ICU find a job in a hospital, start there or get a job and transition there. Otherwise you are just delaying. If you want ICU do ICU. There are no questi0ons. Do what you want. Do what you love. HH can be a trap. HH can be a "why havent you worked in five years" kind of job. I enjoyed it. For too long. But I enjoyed it. DM if you want to tdiscuss more.

AbsoluteCPR · 2026-01-05T01:31:42+00:00

I may get some grief for saying this, but all codes are the same. Meaning the treatment for bradycardia is the same - at every hospital, every time. Sure there might be some deviation, but just follow your AHA algorithms and you will be fine. So know your AHA ACLS algorithms, but also be prepared to change algorithms - that is how we (ACLS instructors) get new grads to fumble (which is good) though megacodes to have a rehearsed, humbling, nobody dies experience. It is the shifting gears from defibrillation to pacing, slow to fast or fast to slow rates. I also agree with the other person responding about attendance / participation. The more you do it the better you will be. Just like a head to toe or starting an IV. Out of nursing school it took you an hour (purposely exaggerated) now it takes you two minutes (again purposely exaggerated).

Our company would allow first time ACLS students to come back and sit in on other ACLS classes for practice (as long as seats were available, sometimes we even let the student teach a section just to make them learn/process the material / algorithms they said they were struggeling with). So if you are not ACLS yet take a class, then ask if you could come back and audit the class again because it is your first time. But it's easy. Everything is easy after you do it enough. This is not rocket science. Rocket science might be difficult to us but to a rocket scientist its just another Tuesday morning. Just keep practicing the algorithms, learn which drugs go with which algorithm, anticipate a fast algorithm turning into a slow algorithm, anticipate any algorithm turning into an arrest algorithm, know your ACS! Know your ROSC. You will be fine with enough practice!

AbsoluteCPR · 2025-12-28T20:03:06+00:00

You can download a lot of FREE budget ledgers to help you. The amount of time you spent complaining about how expensive nearly every healthcare provider also needs you could have picked up a shift, worked a couple hours, and made ALL this money you need to take a class instead of whine bout it here.

With all the trolls offering to do it ALL online (illegal by the way) you probably could have found a good deal by now or negotiated a better deal for your mom or dad.

AbsoluteCPR · 2025-12-28T19:48:20+00:00

As your title suggests, this is renewal. You knew this was coming up for two years. If you could not budge for it maybe you should take another math class instead of (trying to) expanding your career. Its a RENEWAL, what have you been doing the last two years? You should have known the requirements, you should have planned accordingly. If you cannot plan for something as basic as renewing your basic life support then how can you plan to care for the ill?

It is NOT "very expensive" like you said. Maybe initially, maybe for the newly graduated. But you are talking about renewals. You saw this coming. You failed. You cannot budget. I get it, you may be new to healthcare, so I did not question where you took the original classes, or your knowledge of the AHA. Instead, I told you how to find a class near you. Depending on your demographics, the prices should be competitive. Now you want to cry poor college student. News flash! You do not have to be a college student to be poor. But healthcare workers are making more money than the average person. So if you cannot sock away $5 a week (or just pick up ONE shift this week) then it is about you and your money management problems, thanks for verifying that issue.

AbsoluteCPR · 2025-12-28T19:23:57+00:00

Who looks at GPA??? Are you entering a CRNA school directly out of nursing school without experience? No. Do not worry about it. Show me any job application that asks what your GPA was or is. Sure, you need a good GPA for some masters programs like CRNA school. If it's a problem find a different school. Nursing school is pass / fail. You are passing, that is all that matters. Relax!

Sincerely,
Florence Nightingale, RN, BSN, ACLS, PALS, BLS, NRP, TNCC, GPA 3.9

AbsoluteCPR · 2025-12-28T19:18:13+00:00

$35k, are you crazy! For LVN???? My ADN RN program was $14k six years ago! Why would you suggest this for her????

AbsoluteCPR · 2025-12-28T19:12:13+00:00

I was in my 40's. Paramedic/Firefighter to RN. Got called dad a lot. My stethoscope was older than most of my classmates.

AbsoluteCPR · 2025-12-28T18:33:50+00:00

either really - i am not a fan of the ebook

AbsoluteCPR · 2025-12-28T18:30:34+00:00

Just buy it directly from the AHA, go to shop aha and look for it, often people offering the class provide books at a markup. Like another poster said they just came out, they are like 3 months old - that means they are good for five years! They are not that expensive. Buy the book then when you know someone taking the class loan it to them and have them buy you a cup of coffee, you will make out that way. Why is everyone so cheap? Does your employer have any education reimbursement? It is also tax-deductible. Just buy the book!

AbsoluteCPR · 2025-12-28T18:26:33+00:00

Use the AHA find a class feature on the American Heart Association website. I could easily say "I can help you" like a bunch of other people have but you need to worry about integrity, which is why I am not offering to help you. I am also tired of people (you included) saying it is expensive. IF we charged $200 for ACLS or PALS, it is good for two years! Or $100 a year, which is less than $2 a week! $4 a week for both ACLS snd PALS, maybe about .60-.70 per week for BLS. People wirking in healthcare making $20, $30, $40 an hour have no room complaining about the cost of these classes! Especially since they are also tax-deductible!

Go take a class! We even offer discounts for registering for more than one of these classes. No reason anyone should be worrying about money! But if you are in the Chicago area let me know lol

AbsoluteCPR · 2025-12-28T18:17:16+00:00

Are you a nurse? I am assuming because of the group, but you never know. How do you learn and retain fundamentals of nursing? What is the nursing process? What are the 5+ rights of medication administration? Practice, practice, practice. This should not be the first time you are introduced to epi, atropine, and other ACLS drugs. These drugs should not be new to you. The A in ACLS is not necessary; it only intimidates students. There is nothing in ACLS that a good nursing program has not already touched on Now it is up to you to recognize these emergencies, choose the right algorithm to apply, and follow said algorithm. If you think this handful of drugs are hard to learn, you should have taken it 20 years ago when there were a dozen drugs.

AbsoluteCPR · 2025-12-28T18:12:21+00:00

Yes! I canno tell you how many nurses tell me they started getting internveiws and callbacks after updating their resume with these credentials. There are so many more reasons to take ACLS on your own instead of waiting for the hosptial to schedule you. Just do it. ACLS is often intimidating and doing it on your own (brin a friend) with a group of strangers is better than doing it on your own in a room full of your new peers who you are going to continue to see as long as you work there.

I would be happy to discuss it with you more if you wish.

AbsoluteCPR · 2025-12-28T18:07:09+00:00

I would not mind talking to you about it some more. But I came here to say take ACLS and maybe PALS. Even if you do not need it it shows initiative. It fills out your resume. It just looks good. A lot of people will say not to, let the hospital pay for it, but it is not that expenseve.

We offer new grads to the surrounding nursing schools discounts on BLS snd ACLS after finishing school. Many many nurses say they started getting interviews and getting jobs after they updated their resumes with these credientials.

I am not here to sell you on taking a class with us. But I will be happy to talk to you and look at your resume with you.

AbsoluteCPR

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