h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Entry: How to Perform CPR on a Human - A2599040
Author: Pan Galactic Hoopy Frood - U168592

An Entry to the Healt and Healing section of the Guide. I figure if you can give CPR to a cat, you might as well know how to do it for your the cat's owner!

*deep breath*

This is in places quite different to the most recent first aid course I did six weeks ago. But I really don't feel up to another essay (great relief all round).

EAR 2. "This is done by running your fingers only the lowest rib on both sides"

CPR for babies "1-5 cms" > 1.5 cm

Mol

From the entry, it sounds as though you put the person in the recovery position before performing CPR, which you couldn't do, as the person will be lying on his or her side. I was taught that the first thing you should do, after checking for your own safety and securing the position, and trying to talk to the casualty is to lift the chin to open the airway..

I think it's worth checking with one of the italics about whether entries on first aid would be approved as part of the edited guide. The problem is that guidelines vary from country to country, and also change over time. They've changed quite a lot since I took my first aid course, and my last course offered different advice on CPR (there's no resusitation without defibriliation, so getting an ambulance is the absolute first priority - also don't expect CPR to save someone's life, as it rarely can).

The problem is that the advice might go out of date, or might not be the right advice in some countries. The legal position in the UK is that anyone who follows the advice given by a recognised first aid authority cannot be successfully sued, but this isn't the case everywhere. I think the powers that be might be reluctant to put the official BBC seal on first aid advice by putting a first aid article into the edited guide. It might be worth checking with one of the italics before proceeding further with this entry. Jimster (U292) might be able to advise further.

Otto

Ah, thanks for the tips, will leave a note with Jimster, see what he reckons
PGHF

Unfortunately the Entry can't be submitted to the Guide Thanks for the heads up all
PGHF

Hi PGHF,

I'm sorry to be the foreteller of bad news, , but better to know now than know later after lots more work....

Could I ask you to take this entry out of peer review? You can do this by clicking on the 'peer review' link at the top of the page, and then clicking on the 'remove' or 'x' link next to your entry. This won't delete your entry, but will take it out of the peer review listing - just a bit of housekeeping, really...

I think you have an excellent writing style - I particularly like the headings in this entry - and I look forward to reading more of your writing in PR soon!

Best wishes

Otto

Otto - Thanks again, you saved mucho heartache! The entry's been omitted from PR (working in the medical profession I always get a giggle from that acronym.) Thanks for the compliments, indeed, there's much of my work in Peer Review at the moment!!
PGHF