Sorry to leave right now

I remember having to be First Aid and CPR certified to take my Girl Scouts on trips. And how much the basic techniques of CPR had changed since I learned in high school! It was only about 12 or 13 years, but I was amazed, mostly at how the head needed to be tilted. When I learned, you could put one hand on the forehead and the other on the neck; the last time I took a class, the hand UNDER the neck instead tilted the chin. I believe it had to do with the possibility of someone's neck being broken. It makes sense. I happen to have arthritis in my neck, and to do a head tilt would bother me.

I wish you luck with your course, and hope you have fun. I have taken CPR, and First Aid for years. I actually haven't taken one for about a year and a half. I am now trying to get into the local college, for an animal one.

I guess if I'm ever in trouble I'll be hoping you've made the trek from Kansas to Oklahoma.

I'll miss you Gerty, but you do what you must. In Jan I will start classes again, so I won't be here as often either, but in the long run, it will be worth it..:)

I should take a CPR class. I think any kind of medical knowledge is a good thing. Have you seen '127 Hours'? He has to take things into his own hands. I think if someone is in a situation like he was it is good to have some medical knowledge.

Recently you are so busy in getting trained.Sounds it is very good,You have took all kinds of courses and you actually have done what a doctor is supposed to do in a sense.

this is wonderful, I am happy for you.

When I was working, I had to recertify every year as well. Had to do the CPR and first aid as well as the advanced cardiac live support. The CPR and first aid were free as we could get that from the Red Cross. But the ACLS we had to pay for. Depending on where I was working it may have been paid by the hospital for us or not. Of course, I'm no longer certified but that stuff is still in my head. I was surprised to learn that for the past few years the CPR no longer includes the respiratory assistance. I think I'd still be tempted to use it. Why pump the heart if you're not pumping fresh oxygen?

I think it is great to learn this and help others. It would be nice if they had some high school classes to learn the basics in helping another in case of emergency. Everyone should know somethings from young to old. thanks for helping out...

Hi GardenGerty I am 60 now but I was a nurses aide since age 15. At 18 I joined the Army. I became a 91B20 Medical Specialist. Believe it or not we were trained in medical in 8 weeks. And you learned a lot. You could suture, give shots, start IVs, put a trachial tube in when in an emergency. Once trained, I was waiting for my orders so I was working at Ft Sam Houston at Brooke General Army Hospital. It has been known for its world famous Burn Center. although during Vietnam, even though a famous place, it was very sad to see the guys. Once they started the rehab to restructure their face, limbs etc, they were moved to another place called Beach Pavilion. I remember the guys looking away because they had bandages on, and missing parts on their faces. I remember distinctly to this day looking one of the soldiers in his face and telling him he was beautiful and not to forget it. his eyes softened and to this day I have never forgotten him. Once I got to Walter Reed Army Medical Center in DC, I was trained in Neurology, Closed Psychiatric, Emergency room and Open heart Surgery. Then my 5 trips to Vietnam that I will never forget. After getting out of the Army, I was so proud for all I had learned, came home to find out I was no more than a glorified bed pan pusher again (nurses aide) I applied at different jobs, and I was always over qualified. Go figure I had the best training that could ever been given me. In 1987 I decided to take my EMT training. That was 4 months of extensive and fast learning. We even did extrication course in a old car lot that let us use the wrecked cars. Then I got to go in the ambulance and that was really fast paced too. I remember it being very cold one night and snowing. We were driving by East St Louis (not good area) and there was a lady standing on the corner with no coat. I told the guys to pull over. I put her in the back of the van and gave her some coffee. the guys with me were terrified. I had taken a h**ker off the street. They kept telling me her man would be coming to get her. Sure enough. Here he come all bundled up with a fur collar and decided he needed her. He banged on the back of the emt van and I opened it and he said she needed to get back to work. I informed him that she needed a coat and shut the door of the van! Don't think he had ever been talked to that way. Yep I lived a colorful life to say the least LOL never was afraid of anyone. then in 1992 when HIV became recognized, I trained to become the first HIV/Aids counselor in Missouri. I took care of 7 men personally as their Buddy. Only one is left still living, and I am so proud of him to have survived through such a struggle from the onset to be able to survive to get different medications through the years. So I understand when you say interesting. It really is. Now I am a pt of Chiropactic. I go 3 times a week for my spinal problems. I refused surgery and even though they are working on me, I again find my expertise of knowledge in the medical field assisting me in learning about all the different machines and processes I am doing. There is never a lack of learning in the medical field thats for sure. Enjoy. It is a reward you will never forget no matter what angle of the medical field it is.

I haven't had my CPR in a while I use to get recertified every year, because of the job I had. Even with having my child care going I should get it every year, but haven't as I have only had my grand daughter, and one other girl, whose grandmother I know personally and she knows I can take care of pretty much any situation that could arise.

What an awesome activities you have there GardenGerty! It made me realized that I missed working with fellow nurses and some doctors. I do wish though that you may have time one of these days to visit and have a discussion with us here on myLot.

It's just ok besides it is also for your own sake and course. It sounds amazing that you are undergoing those medical classes. I adore those of in medical line it is a noble profession. Do not feel bad about leaving in here for a short time. Mylot will always welcome you.

Wishing you all the best. It is good that you are willing to help other people. I don't think there is enough people helping others. When I worked at a day care, I had my CPR and First Aid certifications. It was necessary as I wanted to know how to help the babies and young children in an emergency. Sounds like an exciting life for you.

I bet there is haventook any of these course but probably wouldnt hurt for every one togo thru at least one of them

Excellent GG, that's so great of you to do. CPR is much more important than being here and who knows, you might really use it someday. I hear there is a new way of doing CPR now and it has to do with more pushing on the heart. They said something like keeping to the beat of "stayin alive" the song. See what they say when you go.

I think u are very industrious to do all u do.

I would love to do courses like this despite being retirement age. Enjoy it as it is sure to be interesting but you will be sorely missed. If you don't get back soon on Mylot then may I wish you and your family a very happy Christmas?

Thanks a ton for sharing this discussion. Well i can understand your situation very well and there are many who are not able to find time to come on this site and yet they take some time off and then they make a comeback. In my opinion, u should give more priority to your work than coming online over here. I know just like me u must have also developed a strong bonding with this site and so u concentrate on your work and the courses that u are pursuing. U don't have to feel sorry for this. Hope to see u soon! What say?

That is wonderful, I remember doing that with the Red Cross years ago, but I haven't recertify, been thinking about doing that.