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Comment by ggm | Hacker News Reader

Always good to do. Medicos I talk to say two things: you have to press a LOT harder than people think, and when they do it, cracked ribs are normal. And, its really sad, but it just doesnt work sometimes. A lot of times.

Do it, but don't be surprised if it doesn't work. But do it.

Helen Clark, ex PM of NZ tried to save her mountain guide friend up a hill, kept going for an hour or more. When I measure up prime ministers, this is the standard I look for.

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Another thing said by medics that's stuck with me is "you can’t screw up CPR because the person is already dead"

Effective CPR is a team effort because it is physically demanding and requires a number of individuals to work other elements of the problem set (airway, medication and access, AED, relief for CPR practitioner, communication with emergency department, police etc...). There is an awful lot to do in these situations and the scenario balloons in players from the first rescuer to the receiving emergency department. The goal should really be continuous motion to a higher level of care vs. getting frozen in place.

I will also note that it is pretty emotionally demanding, particularly given that it's likely to fail, and be coincident with someone else in distress (family member, friend etc...). This is an event you're going to want to put into a box and give yourself some time to work with.

Well dang, I guess in hospital success rates for CPR are <20% survival to discharge. Outside of hospital they are < 10% and quickly drop. Sort of terrifying, even though I've done CPR training many times for work I was of the impression that success rates were much higher.

It's low with CPR alone, but getting an AED involved (which should be accessible in most urban places these days) raises the chances to 50-70%.

They're cheap enough now for normal people to own one.

I carry one in my car as well as a bleed kit, and some other bits and pieces I'm qualified to use (oropharyngeal airways and a bag valve mask respirator).

They're $600 refurbished for anyone wondering.

Depends on the country, but as low as $599 AUD ($378 USD) brand new.

https://cellaed.io/au/products

Look more carefully at that 50 to 70% figure. It is exaggerated (or at least misleading to directly compare) because the usually cited studies are assuming an arrest with a shockable rhythm (and timely, and correct AED application), but only 30 to 40% of out of hospital cardiac arrests have a shockable rhythm, so the overall survivability is not over 50%. Practically speaking even with an AED present its more like 20-30% and that is just survivability, not taking into account long term deficits.

Where can I find those numbers?

You're a lot better off, if it's just a Heimlich. They don't say it, but probably much better, if you have access to an AED (most of that remaining 10%).

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