My Learning of CPR

Hammett, Emma. ‘Cardiac Arrests – How to Perform CPR and Using an AED’. First Aid for Life, 27 Aug. 2024, https://firstaidforlife.org.uk/how-to-perform-cpr-and-use-an-aed/.

CPR Reflection

In this CPR unit I have learned how to tell the difference between a heart attack, an angina, a stroke and a cardiac arrest. Heart attacks happen when one of the heart’s artery gets clogged by plaque. That part of the heart gets no blood circulation and no oxygen. If the blockage gets cleared and chest pain disappears then its an angina, but if its still clogged the heart starts to die and is a heart attack. Cardiac arrests happen when the heart stops beating and pumping blood. The heart muscles will fibrillate because it is getting no oxygen. Strokes happen when there is no blood circulation to the brain because of burst or blocked blood vessels.

One of the main takeaways from this unit was learning the correct steps to do CPR and use an AED. I learned that you need to press 5cm or 2 inches into the chest at a rate of 100-120 compressions/minute to effectively preform CPR. I also learned that the AED gives a shock to the heart, restarting it to its normal rhythm.

This unit connected to the nutrition unit that we have learned previously by knowing the importance of a healthy lifestyle. Some big causes of heart diseases and strokes are smoking, obesity, high blood cholesterol and more. These risks can be avoided by having a healthy diet and lifestyle such as eating lots of fruits, vegetables, choosing whole grain products and to stop smoking. These concepts have already been taught in our nutrition unit and it ties in nicely with the CPR unit.

Core Competency Reflection

One area of CPR in which I’d like to spend more time learning is the causes of heart problems. I want to know how the plaque clogs the arteries and what it is made out of. Also how smoking, high blood pressure, diabetes and other factors increase the risk. I like learning about the scientific aspect of how the body works and how these problems can happen.

Examples of where I communicated clearly and purposefully can be seen in my physical CPR test. I asked my partner what happened and told her to call 911 with the description of the dummy. When the AED was turned on, I made sure we were both clear before the shock was delivered to ensure our safety. I also listened carefully to the instructions from the AED and followed them perfectly.

One of the ways I can see using this learning to help others is when someone is actually having heart problems. If they are having a heart attack or angina I can tell them to take aspirin because it helps with those problems. If they are having cardiac arrest I know how to preform CPR and use an AED to save their life. I can also teach and direct others on how to preform CPR in case of an emergency in the future.