Randy Cassingham's Blog

Posted by Bernard in Brisbane, Australia on June 29, 2009:

Thanks for the tale, Randy - your friends are right, it *is* nice to hear some good news for a change!

You've reminded me that I need to refresh my senior first aid qualification soon - especially relevant, given that, if all goes well, my wife & I will have some new twins around the new year!

Posted by Nancy, California on June 29, 2009:

As a licensed but no longer practicing registered nurse, I have been saying for quite awhile it is time to get up to speed on CPR again. You have inspired me! Since I also volunteer in the ICU at the local hospital, I see plenty of folks who are in bad shape and sometimes wonder if there were help nearby when they had their accident (or whatever brought them in) that perhaps they would have had a better chance at recovery. Probably not! It was inspiring to read your story and I am so happy for your area that you all are there! Thanks for including it in with the weird stuff !

Posted by Richard 'S' in Oakland on June 30, 2009:

Great story - hope people take your suggestion to heart. As for me, I'm a teacher in a Senior Center. Tomorrow I will double check for an AED and if there are, if any, trained CPR volunteers and staff.

Thanks for the great share.

---

In a senior center? I would certainly hope so! -rc

Posted by Stan, Folkestone England on June 30, 2009:

Hi Randy et al, having recently spent some time in hospital (due to Pericardial infusion and having a Pericardial window done to prevent a re-occurance), I have seen a number of people who had to be revived after their hearts stopped. The efforts of the Doctors and nursing staff were prodigious in every case. Most of those were saved, but several did not make it. As a 50 something myself (+ 8 !) it does cause you to think about your own mortality. Many years ago, 1970's, I had occasion to attempt CPR on a lady who had collapsed in the street. Sadly, this was not successful, but never the less, the lady's husband thanked me for trying. That prompted me to go to classes to try and learn how to do it better, though I have never had the need to use it again (so far!), but we do regularly hear stories of people who have used it, having "learned" it from watching tv programs. Who said tv only teaches violence! These days I am a volunteer on Hospital radio (15 years). My little way of "paying it forward" Keep up the good work with TRUE.

Posted by Denise, NC on June 30, 2009:

I used to be a volunteer CPR instructor when I was in the Air Force, and I would just like to present my $0.02 for your readers planning to learn CPR. First the public safety announcement: **NEVER Do Chest Compressions or rescue breathing on someone who doesn't need it!**

That said, find a willing (living) volunteer to "play dead" for you. Take the time to experience what it will feel like to move a real live body around as you try to position them. Have the person let their arms and legs be dead weight as you roll them over. Practice moving a real head around for the head-tilt/chin-lift maneuver and see how hairstyles can mess with positioning.

Most importantly, place your mouth over the mouth of a flesh-and-blood human being. This is not "just like kissing". There is a visceral reaction that many people have to the feel of warm flesh that they don't get when practicing on cold plastic dummies. My husband was kind enough to let me practice on him, but I will never forget the shock I felt the first time I had to perform CPR on a stranger. The more you can do to acclimate yourself to the feel of the situation beforehand, the smoother your reaction will be if the time ever comes that you need to use this vital skill.

And thank you to all who work to keep our friends and family alive. Whether we remember to thank you or are too caught up in our emotions to "remember little niceties", someone will eventually come out of shock long enough to be thankful for your presence at that critical time.... Even if you never get to hear about it, we're always glad you were there.

Posted by Rick, Atlanta, GA on June 30, 2009:

We have a vacation home in the mountains. A couple of years ago as part of a fund raiser,our local volunteer fire department "sold" 911 strobes. This is a device that plugs into your phone jack and is linked wirelessly to a strobe light that you mount outside where it can be seen from the road. It activates when you dial 911 to help responders find your house quickly.

Posted by Chris - Omaha Nebraska - USA on June 30, 2009:

If your story get's one person to get CPR training just think how wonderful that would be. And I would like to personally thank you and all others who take the time to be trained.

Posted by Lisa - Florida on June 30, 2009:

As a former Paramedic, your story of this call brought back many memories. Glad to hear things went well - you and Kit and the rest of the team did a GREAT job! Makes me wish I could get back into being a Medic, but a back injury keeps me sidelined..........keep up the good work!

Posted by Susan, Florida on June 30, 2009:

I recently completed First Aid training. Your story is a reminder that I need to get re-certified for CPR, since mine lapsed a couple of years ago. Keep up the fantastic work!

Posted by Ed, Richmondville, NY on June 30, 2009:

A few add-ons to Randy's story: your local volunteers are that, volunteers. Whether they are "just drivers" (BS! A good driver gets everyone where they need to be safely & quickly), an EMT, or a medic. All take time & training, from a weekend class to the two years of a full medic. They GIVE that time to their community. No parades, no pictures (press up at 02:00? On scene before Randy & team are gone? Not hardly), sometimes a thanks, and the self-knowledge that they just positively impacted a whole lotta lives that few will ever know about.

Second: if you want a CPR/first aid class, contact your local EMS squad, often they offer the classes for free or at a substantially reduced cost.

Be safe out there.