Guest speaker Megan Vargulick, an Aquinas graduate, came all the way from Victor to give her life-saving presentation on Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR). She clarified that she is not an MD. President Dan asserted that she had much wisdom to share. Megan has been the Development Director for the American Heart Association for three years. https://easternstates.heart.org/meet-the-newest-american-heart-association-western-new-york-staff-members/ Before that, she worked for the University of Rochester for 17 years. She stated that the American Heart Association’s mission was to help people live longer, healthier lives. Megan’s aim was to test our knowledge and dispel any myths. CPR is essential because we never know when someone will go into cardiac arrest, and lack of training is a health equity issue. A variety of CPR training courses are offered on the website: https://cpr.heart.org/en/course-catalog-search As bystanders, we are advised to be ready to act. If someone collapses and goes into cardiac arrest, we should call 911, put the dispatcher on speakerphone and start chest compressions right away. Compressions increase chances of survival until the paramedics arrive with the Automated External Defibrillator (AED). In fact, these compressions act like an external heart. An important distinction was made between a heart attack (blockage of blood flow) and cardiac arrest (when the heart stops beating). Many victims seem healthy and have no known heart disease. Some statistics were shared as well: - 1 out of 10 individuals who suffer cardiac arrest survive.
- Hands-only CPR can double or triple chances of survival.
The history of CPR dates as far back as 1530, but at that time, people used to think that only blowing breaths would revive someone. Megan acknowledged that since COVID, people are afraid to do breaths for mouth-to-mouth resuscitation on strangers. This is why the compressions are so vital. It is exhausting, so the person doing the compressions should switch off with another person until the ambulance arrives. Megan shared an account of a driver who went into cardiac arrest with a two-year-old in the car. The driver behind her noticed that the car had slowed down to about 10 mph and went to assist by pulling the car over and summoning passersby, who knew CPR. The police officer who arrived on the scene also had an AED. The survivor went on to tell the story. The Hands-Only CPR skill demonstration video can found here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M4ACYp75mjU Megan confirmed that the song “Stayin’ Alive” by the Bee Gees truly is the reference point for the compressions. However, if we prefer another song at 100-120 bpm, there is an entire Don’t Drop the Beat playlist on Spotify that includes a wide array of artists including Bruno Mars (“Uptown Funk”) and Johnny Cash (“Ring of Fire”): https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2mU2FNAhSOtQwW0hBgQMaK Megan’s presentation coincides with our Club’s purchase of a brand new Zoll AED3, “Designed for Unexpected Heroes” The AED is lightweight, portable, and easy to use. All we need to do is follow the voice prompts, such as “push harder” or “have someone help you.” It can be used for a child or adult rescue; the user will be directed to press the right button. The AED also comes with scissors to cut the victim’s clothing. See the demonstration video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WR1Y1vA2WRY
Club members were asked the following questions: Where is the nearest AED located? How long will it take to get to it in an emergency? As of next Tuesday, March 5, it will be in the kitchen of the Sicilian Sports Club and Rubino’s will also have access to it. Megan summarized the two steps to Hands-Only CPR: Call 911, then push hard and fast in the center of the chest. She pointed out that we should stand to the side of the body and not over it. Sal Abbasey drew on his medical experience to ensure that CPR is performed well. He added to the presentation by saying that we have to make sure the elbows are locked for more forceful
compressions. In addition, he mentioned that in the heat of the moment, most people will not realize that CPR is not as effective if their loved one is lying on a bed. It is not cruel but rather, necessary to gently move the victim to the floor, which is a hard surface. If this is not possible, something firm should be placed underneath the victim. Sal also reminded everyone that the chin should be raised so the tongue will not block the passage for mouth-to-mouth resuscitation.
Megan answered the following questions with a resounding “no”: - Can we get into legal trouble for helping?
- Can we make things worse by preforming CPR?
CPR must be administered to anyone whose heart has stopped. We are giving them a second chance, so it is worth even risking broken ribs if it means survival. The presentation concluded with some Rotarians being invited to practice on a dummy. President Dan gave Megan a token of appreciation in the form of a 4-Way Test coin. |
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