Stayin' Alive

This past Saturday morning, I attended the Red Cross Save-a-Life Saturday free CPR class. When I arrived at the class, I was surprised to see that there were close to 50 people who also shared the same interest in learning practical life-saving skills. Several workers and volunteers were also available and circulated around the room to help answer any questions or assist in teaching. We first learned how to bandage a wound properly and actually had to partner up and practice on a stranger. Then, they went over what to do with a shock victim. And finally, they taught hands-only CPR, where we watched a video, were given some additional information and demonstration, and then they let us loose on the CPR dummies. We partnered up again and took turns practicing chest compressions. Click here for the handout we received in class.

Some CPR pointers that I learned from this class:

• When doing chest compressions, you will likely break a few ribs
• Each compression needs to be two inches in depth
• It is actually really tiring and quite difficult to continue these compressions for an extended period of time
• Do chest compressions to the rhythm of 100 beats per minute (or the disco song “Stayin’ Alive”)
• Put all your weight over the victim and bend from the waist

Here is the actual video we watched during the class:

How to Perform Hands-Only CPR on Howcast

Save a life

I’m sure you are all aware of the devastating earthquake/tsunami that hit Japan today. As we sit and watch the horrific events unfold from afar in the safety and comfort of our own homes and offices, swells of emotion flood our lives as we remain powerless to change the course of events. What can we do but pray? Pray for speedy relief to reach this nation, pray that God’s will be done, pray that people would turn to Christ as their hope and salvation as a result of this disaster.

There are also several humanitarian organizations ready to receive donations and mobilize relief efforts to this ravaged nation. The Salvation Army has stepped in and begun raising funds for its efforts. You can text ‘JAPAN’ or ‘QUAKE’ to 80888 to make a $10 donation or visit SalvationArmyUSA.org. The Japan Earthquake and Tsunami Relief Fund, launched by Global Giving.org  is another avenue in which you can send support by texting ‘JAPAN’ to 50555 to give $10 or by clicking on the button that says "give now". The most well-known, of course, is the American Red Cross, where you can text ‘REDCROSS’ to 90999 to donate $10 from your mobile phone or visit RedCross.org.

The American Red Cross is involved in a myriad of life-saving efforts, which not only include disaster relief, but also CPR and swimming classes, among other things. On March 19, 2011, the American Red Cross will be hosting the Gabrielle Giffords Honorary Save-a-Life Saturday in more than 100 locations across the nation. The Red Cross will be offering free (regularly $25), 45-minute to hour-long classes designed to teach hand-only CPR, controlling external bleeding and caring for shock. These classes are not certification-level CPR & First Aid training courses, but will provide you the basic skills needed to help save a life. If you are in the Oklahoma City area, you can register for the class by calling (405) 228-9500 or by e-mailing Jeff Robbins. Classes are being held at 9 a.m., 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m.