I did a first aid course a few months back and one of the attendees (six in total) had done a similar job for a colleague a few years back. Their description was quite something. To be told first hand what happens, corroborating the instructor is a lesson and a half. It isn't pleasant at all and I won't spell it out here. As well as CPR we covered quite a few other things and you are far more likely to encounter choking and the correct response is far more likely to have a good outcome than CPR, so first aid courses are a very good thing.
If I end up having to deliver CPR, I will do it without hesitation. I will do the checks first, mindful that I will be performing what amounts to ABH. A small success rate is better than nothing.
OK so something like 5-10% is the real success rate for CBR. Now, would you be interested in something like 75%?
DEFIBRILLATOR.
A defib will talk you through how to use it but a short course will get you going much quicker. They are just like jump starting a car but instead of croc clips, the wires are connected to sticky pads that you stick on the person. They are battery powered and can be very small and portable. They are nothing like as big as you see on old school TV dramas.
Upside: ~75% chance of resuss. compared to around 5-10% for CPR. No need to potentially break ribs or other unsavoury side effects of battering a person. Downside: Costs around £1000 a pop - they are reusable.
If you own a business, why not grab one, slap it on the wall near to the first aid kit and get the staff clued up. When you get to a certain age (over zero) why not get one at home?
I have not yet followed my own advice yet but I think I will quite soon! Have a chat about it with your staff, family and whoever will listen.
I think that CPR should be likened to camping without a tent, in the Arctic. A defib: glamping, with free Cava! That said, I will still cause ABH on someone that I deem needs it if nothing else is to hand.