Coronavirus Impact: A CPR Procedural Update

The coronavirus continues to wreak havoc in the United States and around the world. Although the curve is diminishing, there are times when it spikes back up. For instance, some states demonstrate that the curve is flattening due to the lowered number of new cases. Yet, some areas report that positive test has risen to more than a hundred which means that social distancing is working and that some of the new cases may have come from people who are positive and not showing symptoms. Nonetheless, we are still at war with this microscopic enemy who can diminish the world's population of human beings. So, what does that mean for Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)?

Some of the literature coming out of New York indicate that people who suffer cardiac arrest or not supposed to receive CPR. This information is primarily directed two of the first responders who respond to people in need of CPR. This rule came from the leaders of the health Department of that state and city. Yet, some of those first responders have decided to disregard that order and do what they do best by bringing people back to life when their heart stops. All of the necessary Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) is being used and some of those people who have been brought to the hospital could have lived to see another day or even their grandchildren.

When someone needs CPR, the requirements or not that dissimilar from the last article that was written. The victim should have a mask placed over their mouth and nose, and chest compressions should be started. With health care providers chest compressions are done with their PPE on which includes gloves, gowns, masks, and goggles. CPR is a suggested modality for people to do when someone goes in cardiac arrest because of their chances of survival increase. Therefore, any bystander or family member who prefers to do CPR should have a simple mask or bandana, gloves, and some type of goggles and then proceed to push on the victim’s chest. When EMS arrived, those dedicated EMT’s, firefighters, police officers, and paramedics will make every effort to bring that person back to life. 

Let it be known that anyone who decides not to do CPR on a victim because they are afraid of contracting a disease, including the coronavirus will not find themselves placed under litigation because this procedure is protected under the Good Samaritan law. Anyone with a good conscience and the willingness to make a difference in someone's life who have suffered from cardiac arrest is looked upon as a person who respects life to the fullest. If you do not do CPR on a person who needs it, that does not mean that you do not respect life and it is understandable that you are protecting yourself and your family from contracting a deadly disease.

For a person who is found down and they were not in your home, call 911 immediately and let the first responders take over the care of that victim. Do not be dismayed because someone you don't know did not make it because you did not do CPR. But rest assure that CPR does work when it's done properly and continually until advanced life support arrives. Furthermore, take every effort to social distance yourself from other people, even though some states are allowing businesses to open, such as Barbershops, the beach, restaurants, and more.

Remember, mouth to mouth does not have to be done on a person who needs CPR, but only if you decide to do that. Health care professionals recommend that mouth-to-mouth should be avoided and those airway problems will be controlled once advanced life support arrives. Chest compressions are sufficient and will make a difference if done properly and advanced life support arrives in good time. As we continue to fight this microscopic enemy, every human being on the planet is required to do their part. We can only defeat an enemy if we work together, and when we do that, you can just bet that we will win the battle. 

It will take extreme courage, and bravery to step forward and help someone who suffered a cardiac arrest. Even more, the prevention of cardiac arrest is one hundred times more effective than trying to bring someone back to life from a heart that has stopped beating. Therefore, understand the symptoms of a heart attack, stroke, diabetes, and any other disease that leads to cardiac arrest. If someone says they are short of breath, call your doctor or call 911. If someone says that it is hard to speak or they are unable to move their arms or legs, call 911. Treat those symptoms before they progressed to cardiac arrest. That way you can avoid doing CPR because you recognize the danger signs.

We all know that tomorrow is not promised to anyone, and if we hope to extend our continued survival as a human species, we must work together in every aspect of business, healthcare, and protecting ourselves by instituting social distancing, and doing what we're told by those who have a greater understanding of how to combat this enemy. Don’t be tricked if the bug plays dead! It is not just up to our leaders for all of us to reach tomorrow. It is also up to us.

Ennis C. Jackson

Ennis is an Advance Life Support caregiver providing emergency care, training, motivating and educating on a national level for over 35 years with strong concentration and enormous success in business consultation, motivational and safety speaking, minor project management and customer service management. Ennis has been a Supervisor and Associate Supervisor in California, Okinawa Japan, and S. Korea with experience in leading teams and managing large groups of personnel.

More articles by the writer

The coronavirus continues to wreak havoc in the United States and around the world. Although the curve is diminishing, there are times when it spikes back up. For instance, some states demonstrate that the curve is flattening due to the lowered number of new cases. Yet, some areas report that positive test has risen to more than a hundred which means that social distancing is working and that some of the new cases may have come from people who are positive and not showing symptoms. Nonetheless, we are still at war with this microscopic enemy who can diminish the world's population of human beings. So, what does that mean for Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)?

Some of the literature coming out of New York indicate that people who suffer cardiac arrest or not supposed to receive CPR. This information is primarily directed two of the first responders who respond to people in need of CPR. This rule came from the leaders of the health Department of that state and city. Yet, some of those first responders have decided to disregard that order and do what they do best by bringing people back to life when their heart stops. All of the necessary Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) is being used and some of those people who have been brought to the hospital could have lived to see another day or even their grandchildren.

When someone needs CPR, the requirements or not that dissimilar from the last article that was written. The victim should have a mask placed over their mouth and nose, and chest compressions should be started. With health care providers chest compressions are done with their PPE on which includes gloves, gowns, masks, and goggles. CPR is a suggested modality for people to do when someone goes in cardiac arrest because of their chances of survival increase. Therefore, any bystander or family member who prefers to do CPR should have a simple mask or bandana, gloves, and some type of goggles and then proceed to push on the victim’s chest. When EMS arrived, those dedicated EMT’s, firefighters, police officers, and paramedics will make every effort to bring that person back to life. 

Let it be known that anyone who decides not to do CPR on a victim because they are afraid of contracting a disease, including the coronavirus will not find themselves placed under litigation because this procedure is protected under the Good Samaritan law. Anyone with a good conscience and the willingness to make a difference in someone's life who have suffered from cardiac arrest is looked upon as a person who respects life to the fullest. If you do not do CPR on a person who needs it, that does not mean that you do not respect life and it is understandable that you are protecting yourself and your family from contracting a deadly disease.

For a person who is found down and they were not in your home, call 911 immediately and let the first responders take over the care of that victim. Do not be dismayed because someone you don't know did not make it because you did not do CPR. But rest assure that CPR does work when it's done properly and continually until advanced life support arrives. Furthermore, take every effort to social distance yourself from other people, even though some states are allowing businesses to open, such as Barbershops, the beach, restaurants, and more.

Remember, mouth to mouth does not have to be done on a person who needs CPR, but only if you decide to do that. Health care professionals recommend that mouth-to-mouth should be avoided and those airway problems will be controlled once advanced life support arrives. Chest compressions are sufficient and will make a difference if done properly and advanced life support arrives in good time. As we continue to fight this microscopic enemy, every human being on the planet is required to do their part. We can only defeat an enemy if we work together, and when we do that, you can just bet that we will win the battle. 

It will take extreme courage, and bravery to step forward and help someone who suffered a cardiac arrest. Even more, the prevention of cardiac arrest is one hundred times more effective than trying to bring someone back to life from a heart that has stopped beating. Therefore, understand the symptoms of a heart attack, stroke, diabetes, and any other disease that leads to cardiac arrest. If someone says they are short of breath, call your doctor or call 911. If someone says that it is hard to speak or they are unable to move their arms or legs, call 911. Treat those symptoms before they progressed to cardiac arrest. That way you can avoid doing CPR because you recognize the danger signs.

We all know that tomorrow is not promised to anyone, and if we hope to extend our continued survival as a human species, we must work together in every aspect of business, healthcare, and protecting ourselves by instituting social distancing, and doing what we're told by those who have a greater understanding of how to combat this enemy. Don’t be tricked if the bug plays dead! It is not just up to our leaders for all of us to reach tomorrow. It is also up to us.

Vlad Magdalin

Passionate reader | People person | The one behind All dad jokes