WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio -- We have all sat through countless CPR classes with eyes glossed over and went through the motions to get the card that says you are certified, myself included.
Pushing on the chest during CPR dummy practice, you see how easy it is to compress. Then, someone does a Google search for the Bee Gees song that sets your pace for chest compressions. You know the one. Everyone standing in back of the class says how well we’ve done.
If you are ever unfortunate enough to have to actually perform CPR, all of that goes out the window.
Here recently, I was put in such a situation. I was at home working in my garage and my father-in-law showed up to drop off some tomatoes. He walked up to my front porch and then walked down to my truck and leaned up against the front fender, as he had done countless time before.
This time, however, something was different. He didn’t say a word, just stood there.
As I looked up, he slumped over. I ran up to him and eased him to the ground as best as I could, as he is three times my size. He wasn’t breathing and I couldn't find a pulse. I yelled at my neighbor to call 911.
When I got my father-in-law on his back and started CPR, I don’t remember locating the exact spot to do the compressions, counting or even how long I was doing them. Most of that 5-10 minutes before the first responder arrived is a complete blur.
Once first responders arrived and took over CPR, they quickly started a three-person rotation for the compressions and were actively encouraging and critiquing the pace and depth of each. Looking back, the compressions I was doing weren’t nearly deep or fast enough.
No one knows how they are going to react in any situation. I thought I knew what I needed to know and would be able to do what was needed. But in retrospect, taking the CPR class as an opportunity to practice (and I mean practice) is one thing I could have done with a lot greater enthusiasm.
By reading this, my hope is at least one life will be saved. Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to save my father-in law.
This is the firsthand account of a recent real-world incident involving a Team Wright-Patt member and relative. The author has requested anonymity. For more information about CPR, first-aid and other emergency-preparedness classes, contact Wright-Patterson Air Force Base’s American Red Cross office at 937-257-9876.