BLS renewal—ouch

[T-Bird78]

I had to renew my BLS the other day. Our employer has the online portion for the test then we go to the lab for the manikin/hands-on portion where the computer guides you as you’re doing the actions. Our manikin is terrible, the mouth is all cracked and the mask doesn’t seal well, the chest sounds like a rusty bed when compressing, it’s just terrible. Anyway, I was wondering why I felt like I’d done an ab workout yesterday when I remembered—I did! I’d had to do several rounds to pass because the manikin is so touchy (I even had someone else complete a set of compressions to make sure it wasn’t just me; it wasn’t). I figured I’d done 9-10 cycles of CPR. Anybody else feel sore the day or so after CPR? Or am I just that out of shape LOL?

[Daisy4RN]

When I saw your title my first though was you meant it was a (figurative) pain in the butt. Before I got my ACLS synchronized with my BLS I had been to BLS renewals that were harder than ACLS renewal (maybe bc I didn't study that much for BLS). One I remember was when the AED first became part of BLS. The class was through the hospital so (mostly) everyone was a nurse/ employee. The instructor knew that this was new to everyone so he went over how it worked (verbally) and then told us to now "do it". We are all looking at each other (because viewing is obviously different than hands on) and started stumbling around the equipment. Next thing you know this guy starts going off and telling everyone he is going to fail us because we should know how to do this and this is our "test". Someone spoke up and told him we thought this was the practice session. Well, a back and forth ensued and after that someone else came into to finish the class. My thought was this is the type of person that needs to feel self important by making others feel like they are stupid.

Anyway, I have never experienced the type of BLS you did. I guess you could look at it like you got your work-out at the same time, killed two birds with one stone. I probably would have been sore too, lol.

[AceOfHearts<3]

I avoid doing compressions if at all possible because it exacerbates an old injury. I can do them and certainly jump in and do my share when needed, but I tend to pick other roles otherwise I tend to be in severe pain for several days.

Daisy- I feel like the in-person renewal portion for BLS is way worse than ACLS.

[prmenrs, RN]

When I got certified as an instructor, we used a manikin w/a strip that printed out the side. They checked that all your compressions, and breaths were correct. After a few tries, I passed. Then we had 2 person. My partner could NOT get it right. I couldn't pass till she passed. I was determined to not come back another day. So we went for who knows how long. Finally, one of the instructors had mercy on me and partnered w/me to pass. I went home. The next day, I was sore from my neck, wrists, arms, abs, to my knees. And, don't forget my glutes and shoulders. Oh, ouch. It was the next week before I was normal.

[murseman24, MSN, CRNA]

Whenever I did a code I always eventually jumped on the chest because, well, I'm a dude and it's hard work. I always bounce on my toes and get a good rhythm, letting my legs do most of the work, but yes, my abs always feel like they got a workout after.

[murseman24, MSN, CRNA]

2 minutes ago, prmenrs said:

When I got certified as an instructor, we used a manikin w/a strip that printed out the side. They checked that all your compressions, and breaths were correct. After a few tries, I passed. Then we had 2 person. My partner could NOT get it right. I couldn't pass till she passed. I was determined to not come back another day. So we went for who knows how long. Finally, one of the instructors had mercy on me and partnered w/me to pass. I went home. The next day, I was sore from my neck, wrists, arms, abs, to my knees. And, don't forget my glutes and shoulders. Oh, ouch. It was the next week before I was normal.

oh hell no! who are these people?

[prmenrs, RN]

That was truly the worst cert/recert ever. I'm positive they don't do it that way anymore.

[Lunah, MSN, RN]

Our manikins for BLS where I last instructed were hooked to the computer. The female voice would give you feedback on your compression depth, speed, etc., but if you stopped for even a second, you'd fail. It wasn't easy! And doing the combined compressions with breaths as a solo person with the right timing took a couple of tries, too.

Doing real CPR has always left me feeling like a did a major ab workout the day after!

[VivaLasViejas, ASN, RN]

I remember doing compressions (on real patients) and the next day feeling like I'd been through the ringer. My knees hurt, my shoulders hurt, my abs hurt, even the heels of my hands hurt. I never thought about it during the code because of the adrenaline rush, but CPR does wear you out pretty quickly.

[ruby_jane, BSN, RN]

You feel like a truck hit you? GOOD! You did it right.

That's what Mr. Ruby Jane (who's also a nurse) said to me when I got retrained this summer.

[Davey Do]

On 3/15/2019 at 6:47 AM, T-Bird78 said:

Anybody else feel sore the day or so after CPR? Or am I just that out of shape LOL?

With all due respect, T-Bird, you are out of shape. Being sore after doing compressions for BLS recertification needs to be a wake up call.

I have always been active, but now work out every day for at least 20 minutes because, if I don't, I feel all stove up and am more more prone to injury.

I am 62 years old, recertified for BLS last year and the process was no more than a little workout.

"Atrophy through disuse- If you don't use it, you lose it."

And it doesn't get any better as we age.

[xoemmylouox, ASN, RN]

We recently had a code at work. There was 5 of us that rotated for compressions. We did compressions for about 45 minutes before they pronounced the poor guy. It was awful. I was sore for like 3 days.

We were all dripping with sweat when we were done and the soreness didn't really hit until the day after.. My poor abs were d-o-n-e!