CPR in school setting

Performing CPR with our without an AED does not guarantee survival. CPR alone is 5 - 10% survival, with AED is less than 50%.

I work in a small school district that has been able to purchase an AED. A few weeks ago a co-worker had an unwitnessed cardiac arrest. we found her,called 911 did CPR and used the defibrillator. She did not make it. I am wondering what other school nurses have in the way of CPR training. I have had BLS. Do we need more?

In cardiac arrest, every minute counts. Since this was an unwitnessed arrest, you have no idea how long she was down. Not every rhythm is shockable, either. You did everything that you could have possibly done, it was just her time. Your CPR probably included AED certification. Other than that, there's not much else you can do in a school setting. Basic First Aid is very elementary for a Registered Nurse. Any advanced life support course is more that you can do in a school setting but the knowledge never hurts.

I am an LPN and I work in a pre-school. I have BLS and do not have an AED. I agree that time does count. You did the best you could in the situation. Even if you had advanced life support you may not have been able to save her. Please don't let it bother you.

from,

mtymom :rotfl:

In cardiac arrest, every minute counts. Since this was an unwitnessed arrest, you have no idea how long she was down. Not every rhythm is shockable, either. You did everything that you could have possibly done, it was just her time. Your CPR probably included AED certification. Other than that, there's not much else you can do in a school setting. Basic First Aid is very elementary for a Registered Nurse. Any advanced life support course is more that you can do in a school setting but the knowledge never hurts.

Thanks. I would like to take an ACLS course but for my job I am only required to have CPR. I know I did everything I could and even with several shocks, her heart did not return to normal rhythm. Still, it was very stressful for me and the the lay people who assisted me. I think those AED are great, but people need to be told that once a person is in cardiac arrest the chances of survival are not great.

I am an LPN and I work in a pre-school. I have BLS and do not have an AED. I agree that time does count. You did the best you could in the situation. Even if you had advanced life support you may not have been able to save her. Please don't let it bother you.

from,

mtymom :rotfl:

Thanks. i know we did what we could. I guess I just need to hear from my peers.

Dianer,

Almost two years ago we lost our Athletic Director at school. He ran up a flight of stairs to the playground and arrested. Our efforts were unsuccessful. Later, the autopsy revealed he'd had a cerebral aneurysm. I still get emotional thinking about it. I'd been in alot of codes but had never worked on someone I knew.

One positive outcome from the experience: I now carry a turkey baster in my emergency bag for suctioning. (Alot of emesis with an aneurysm).

We are just getting set to have AED's on campus.

I am a CPR Instructor, EMT-P, and RN. I would be happy to provide education any way I can for those who wish it.

Roxan

www.certifiedtrainingsolutions.com