retired_yesmoncar

Valid, I wouldn't have a clue. Should be compulsory and invested in, not a half arsed class, a proper course to be trained in CPR.

retired_mountainsong

it wouldnt be your fault?

retired_nini59

I guess that will come out in the investigation, but I highly doubt it, it was quite busy and a child of that age should be supervised by the adult they are with and not by the lifeguard. I didn't see the situation though so don't know how long he was under for. He was actually brought to the side by the adult who I assume was with him, but when he came round the lifeguard asked him what the child's name was, and I'm sure I heard him say "I don't know", so I'm not exactly sure what the situation was with regards to his supervision. But any child under 8 is not allowed in unsupervised. The pool was 1.2m deep, and I'm not sure how tall the kid was, (he looked tiny when lying on poolside but that might have been because he looked so vulnerable) but he didn't have any armbands etc. Certainly though children are parents' responsibilities and not lifeguards.

retired_metcalfl

I doubt you would, at the time the adrenaline is just so high, I think I'd be fairly comfortable doing CPR on an adult and always thought that it wouldn't be a problem in any situation as I know it back to front and inside out, but the fact I couldn't didn't what to do with regards to everyone gathering around when it was happening, makes me think that with that much tension I might forget to tilt the head back, or pinch the nose, or do the 5 rescue breaths first, though after seeing someone else revive a child I'll probably be more re-assured if it does happen to me as I'll know it does work if you take your time and do it properly.

Like I say at the time I was getting ready to take over if needed, and the thought crossed my mind that he might die, then quickly it was replaced with the thought that he would definitely survive, quite possibly a subconscious effort to make sure that if I did have to do CPR that I wouldn't panic, and would in effect treat it like a dummy, which at the time it was seemed little more than someone doing CPR on a dummy.

I think it's afterwards when you might break down, I don't know what would've happened if he hadn't survived. I expect there'd be quite a few off sick right now, and the centre would probably closed.

On another point they really should teach CPR in school, it's so easy and there's no reason why everyone shouldn't at least know how to do it. </BLOCKQUOTE>

Yea guess it's one of those situations where you don't know how you'd react till you actually have too.

Totally agree with you about the CPR in school thing as well, I'm not qualified to do it myself but am trying to get myself on a first aid type course through work. Basic first aid, CPR etc should really be something thats taught in schools

retired_rondaw25

how could you ever forgive yourself for trying to save someone's life?

I think I could manage tbh.

retired_yesmoncar

it wouldnt be your fault? </BLOCKQUOTE>

That wouldn't be your main concern though, well, for me personally anyway, I'd always be thinking 'could I have done it better? would he be alive if I'd done something differently?'

Not saying that's how they should feel, it's how I'd probably feel, but obviously it's a situation that is hopefully never likely to happen.

retired_mountainsong

thing that makes me choke is how proceedures change every year. iirc its 30 chest compressions and 2 rescue breaths for an adult and child, but it used to only be 15 (I think it was changed a while ago in the UK but in the US it only changed last year) seems funny how the researchers go "errr yeah, you know we said 15 compressions? actually double that"

retired_mountainsong

if someone dies its not because CPR could have been done better or whatever. I sort of see what you're trying to say but really CPR is just a bridge between them getting better medical attention. Obviously some CPR is better than none.

I cant explain what im trying to say, my mate summed it up really well though, cant remember what he said

retired_mountainsong

like if someone dies its because the ambulance didnt get there in time, not because you should have done CPR better or for longer

retired_nini59

this happened at the Aquatics centre.

me too, I'd much rather drown their than anywhere else, it's open plan so very easy to get to the scene within seconds from anywhere in the building, plus when all pools are being used there's going to be a minimum of 3/4 lifeguards on poolside at any one time, on a busy day like Saturday we had 2 on the pool it occurred in, one on each pool either side, and one on the far pool, as well as me standing around doing nothing. I'm not even sure if the flumes were still open, but we can have up to 7/8 lifeguards on poolside at any one time, so you know you've got the support if you whistle or shout, you don't have to waste time finding an alarm (which aren't always in the best places).