Will I remember CPR when I need to?

gr8rnpjt, RN · May 11, 2006

When needed, I believe that everything will come back to you. But in realilty you do not need to worry, especially if you are in a big crowd. I had to perform CPR on a gentleman who went down in a crowded mall bank. I had 50 people in attendance who all seemed to have opinions about how I was doing on the breathing. People said things about my hand placement, about whether or not to pinch the pt's nose. This was after all 50 people stood around staring while I tried to find someone more qualified than myself to help me! I finally found someone who told me he would do compressions only. Then everyone (who 1 minute ago had nothing to say to me)had an opinion about how I was doing. it was very distressing. I remember a couple of times I blurted out, "I will be happy to let you take my place since you know so much more than me."but no one came forward. He ended up dying on the way to the hospital anyway.

MS._Jen_RN, ASN, RN · May 11, 2006

You will remember when you need to. Also, as an instructor said to us, "If they need CPR, they are already dead. Anything you do is only going to help." The most imporant thing is early defib. So be sure to have an ambulance on the way or find out if the place has an AED.

~Jen

TazziRN, RN · May 11, 2006

If you're doing it in a hospital you won't really have to worry about breaths-to-compressions ratio, or stopping compressions when a breath is given. One person bags regularly, one person compresses regularly. As for bystander CPR, what Jen said is right: anything you do will help. CPR outside of the hospital setting is rarely effective, and in the few cases that it is, it usually only prolongs the pronouncement of death.

epiphany · May 11, 2006

When needed, I believe that everything will come back to you. But in realilty you do not need to worry, especially if you are in a big crowd. I had to perform CPR on a gentleman who went down in a crowded mall bank. I had 50 people in attendance who all seemed to have opinions about how I was doing on the breathing. People said things about my hand placement, about whether or not to pinch the pt's nose. This was after all 50 people stood around staring while I tried to find someone more qualified than myself to help me! I finally found someone who told me he would do compressions only. Then everyone (who 1 minute ago had nothing to say to me)had an opinion about how I was doing. it was very distressing. I remember a couple of times I blurted out, "I will be happy to let you take my place since you know so much more than me."but no one came forward. He ended up dying on the way to the hospital anyway.

Wow, that must have sucked for you. Sorry to hear.

sweetpea839 · May 11, 2006

well, i have only actually performed cpr a few times, but you do get this adrenaline rush thing that makes you want to act extremely quickly in a case of an emergency. So, the adrenaline, along with your training which will need to be renewed every two years, makes you act fast. usually people don't need to sit and think too long. Members of a code team or doctors and other nurses are always there within seconds to help you "remember" or think on your toes if need be. So no worries, just do what nurses do best and keep the patient as the number one priority and you will do fine!

missninaRN · May 11, 2006

Thank you everyone for your replies. I feel better about this now. I guess the reality that people's lives will depend on me and how quickly I can react has just started to sink in.

nightingale, RN · May 11, 2006

Yes, I think you will. The reality is, it is better to do something then nothing. YOu will be there to do something. If there is someone on the scene that is more experienced then they are the leed.

Antikigirl, ASN, RN · May 12, 2006

MS Jen has it going on! I too say that if you have to do CPR, then that person is dead. SO anything you do is a bonus!

They also encourage this as part of the general population cpr classes now. If you remember your ratios fine, if not...just do your best, but don't just stand there...if you do one compression and three breaths..doesn't matter that much at this point..getting that chest moving/air in and out...better than nothing at all! (this is a new train of thought for the recent decline in cpr rescue breathing nationally because people wouldn't do it out of fear of disease...they even say now..."if you can't do rescue breaths, at least do compressions please!". I feel rescue breathing is important...but if one or the other...I pick compressions first).

And, there is something that just triggers in your brain called 'going clinical' that tends to happen...you kinda calm and focus on tasks because frankly...'your on!'. So don't fret too much, and try to get experience watching cpr and codes..the more you see the less unknowing and freaky it will be!

bopps · May 12, 2006

Yah it will all come back. I was always worried about it too. But then one day a kid was choking and I was the only one around to help. The mom practicly threw the baby at me with a look of shear terror on her face. I grabbed the kid and it was like a voice inside me told me what to do. It was amazing. Everything worked out. The piece of food came out,the baby started to cry and I felt relief, even though I was shaking. It was one of the few times in my life that I have felt like a hero:chuckle

aimeeinorbit · May 12, 2006

Everything you learn feels so overwhelming, but if you can just let yourself relax enough it will all filter to the surface when you need it. I was on my way home from a camping trip a few months ago and we pulled up to an accident that JUST happened and a young man was laying unconscious on the side of the road in the middle of nowhere bleeding everywhere. He was surrounded by about 10 people who were just staring at him. When I walked up to him the girl at his head said to me "he just lost his pulse" and I knew exactly what to do. It was like an instinct. You just have to trust yourself.

WOLFE, BSN, RN · May 12, 2006

you will remember it in time..."practice makes perfect"...I along with other fellow nurses were once where you are, and in time you will be the one the students and new nurses come to...deep breath and remember something is better then nothing...........