So you thought you knew about CPR techniques. You were certified prior to October 2005 as a CPR trained individual. NEWSFLASH! It is NOW time that you get CPR re-certified! If you have never been CPR trained, go do it. As parents, grandparents or anyone entrusted the care of our children CPR is a vital technique in our toolkit for emergency response.

Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR), according to the American Heart Association 2005 document, "2005 AHA Guidelines for CPR and ECC", has been modified for all categories - Infant, Child and Adult. From Choking to full CPR response grandparents and parents alike must get trained. Your infant and children's lives could depend on your ability to administer proper choking and CPR response techniques.

Why should Parents and Grandparents know how to address choking and administer CPR?

Look at some of the statistics for choking related emergencies and deaths:
• In the USA each year 3,000 people die from choking
• About 2,600 choking accidents in the UK each year involve children under four years of age
• In Canada, choking on food causes approximately 200 deaths each year
• Babies under two years are at the highest risk from choking injuries
• Children up to age 6 years also have a high risk. Approximately 80% of emergency calls for choking are for children under 6 years
• A child with a fully obstructed airway will be dead in 4-6 minutes without help.

Every child-care provider has to be certified for CPR as part of their ECE (Early Childhood Education). Everyone in the medical, rehab, retirement and emergency response all require CPR certification. They are typically re-certified annually. As a parent you would want anyone caring for your infant or child to have CPR and Choking technique knowledge. So it makes logical sense that even you, the parent or the grandparent, should be CPR trained. CPR training is a small but important skill for anyone caring or baby-sitting an infant or child.

If I just call 911 then the ER team can administer CPR.

Yes, ER teams, once they arrive, will take over from those who have been delivering CPR to the victim. No oxygen circulation for more than 6 minutes is disaster. Immediacy of CPR delivery is paramount to a person's survival. Waiting for the ER team will be too late. CPR and Calling 911 is the only way for any level of survival success.

Isn't the CPR technique different for Infant, Child and Adult?

Until 2005 the mix of breaths to compressions was different for each category. But now it is 2 breaths and 30 quick compressions for infant (less than 1 year), child (1-8 years) or adult (over 50 lbs). The American Heart Association discovered that circulating the blood through the lungs and heart to the brain can only be accomplished with sustained quick compressions. In fact, the compressions are more important than delivering the breaths. The old method of 5 to 15 compressions has been extended to 30 quick compressions for all recipients. This delivers the necessary circulation through the lungs and heart to the brain and other body extremities.

How do I get CPR Trained?

In the USA simply contact the American Red Cross, American Heart Association or American CPR Training. In Canada CPR training is delivered by the Canadian Red Cross or St. John Ambulance. You could also check with your local hospital, fire department, ambulance, or emergency response for FREE CPR workshops that might be coming to your area.

Be the responsible parent or grandparent. Get CPR trained and get re-certified or trained at least every two years. Protect your future. Keep our children safe. Be the best parent and grandparent you can be.