August 10 – “CPR”

Well, I am once again American Heart Association “certified” in Cardio-Pulmonary-Resuscitation – CPR.  I honestly can’t remember the last time I took the course.  It has been many years, though.  And even then, I’m not sure that it was the American Heart Association’s version or some off-brand.  I was beginning to feel kind of silly, being associated with the fire department and not even having a recent CPR course under my belt. 

The course was taught by one of the fire department’s battalion chiefs and his wife, Gary and Lana Staudt.  Gotta say up front they did an amazing job.  And not just because they are FD family.  They keep up with the latest advancements in the field, and incorporate those things into their presentation.  Things like it being the 50^th anniversary of the heart association recommending CPR for the rank and file citizen, and the latest research into breaking up blood clots using none other than vampire bat enzymes.  Thank you for that, Count Dracula.  Oh, and another of my favorite fun facts.  At one time the city with the number one best survival rate for cardiac events was (drum roll here) Las Vegas.  Every bank of slot machines has an AED device behind it.  Every employee is trained in CPR and the use of the device.  Security personnel and constantly walking the floor because of all the money involved.  And Las Vegas is probably the single most videoed city anywhere, what with all its security cameras.  So, if you are planning to have a heart attack, make your way to a Las Vegas casino.  That or a doctor’s office, I guess.  Seattle was number two that year, by the way.  The city had a big PR awareness push.  And coming in at number three that same year?  None other than Galveston, Texas.  How’s that for a national ranking?  Not sure how we are doing on that lately, but that’s yet another claim to fame for our Island near Texas.

Another reason I took the course was that I have never even seen one of the new AED machines up close and opened.  AED stands for Automated External Defibrillator, by the way.  It’s one of those shock-the-heart-back-into-proper-function things, like a reset button or control-alt-delete on a computer.  I knew they existed, and that more and more places were requiring them on site, but I just had never seen one.  It was quite encouraging to know that the little boxes are really quite smart.  Once you press the green “Go” button, the box gives verbal commands to tell you exactly what to do.  That makes it downright difficult to use them wrong, as long as you know how to follow instructions.  You just apply the pads to the right area of the victim, and the machine automatically senses when or if to give the shock.  It even reminds you to stand clear before pushing the shock button.  Now all it needs is a sensor to tell it to jump off the wall and come running when someone calls 9-1-1. 

So … I have my CPR card and my official Adult/Child & Infant CPR Resuscitator Mask in hand.  I understand the fire department is going to offer another weekend course on October 11^th from 9 to 12.  Let me know if you’re interested and I’ll get you the sign-up information. 

Psalms 28:7 says, “My heart trusts in him, and I am helped.  My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to him in song.”

Father, that’s one smart heart.  Thank you for the training I received yesterday.  I honestly pray I never have to use it, but I am really glad I have it.  Amen.