Meet the world's most kissed man-nequin. I signed up to be one of the first aid officers in my office last year. I shamelessly admit the reason for volunteering was because it came with a free first aid course. I have always wanted to learn first aid. Same reason as why I learned swimming. To save myself should I ever need to and to save others if a need arise.
After I got my certificate, there were 2 incidents of distress happening right in front of me. Just days after! It's almost like fate asking me to test my new found skills. What did I do? Chicken out. Yup I did. No confidence. Also to clarify on both accounts there are other good samaritans rushing to the rescue. So by the time I finish pondering if I should help, someone is already there.
One thing our trainer drilled into our head is once you are in, you are in. No backing out halfway until patience recover or when proper paramedics come. I guess that's what make me so scared. That and also me not really remembering everything that I learned. What if I stuffed up? What if I made it worse? What if...? What if...? You get the idea why I am not a doctor.
The first thing the Instructor taught is CPR. Surprisingly it only have less than 10% success rate. But at the brink of death, 10% are pretty good odds. If you use a defibrillator, chances increase more than 50% (needs to be confirmed). Always use a defibrillator if you have one. CPR is not as easy as how you see it in the movies. This is where the mannequin comes in play. You literally will break ribs doing CPR. Patience's ribs. Not yours. What is a few bruised and broken ribs if it can bring you back to life. So don't believe the movies. Can't get up and continue fighting. Anyone successfully saved by CPR will nurse sore ribs for some time. Of course the best thing is not to need it in the first place.
Be safe everyone.
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