ASTHMA OR COPD :
1 . A key to prevent fatigue and to not exacerbate any respiratory distress is to have the employee use his / her inhaler 30 minutes prior to performing skills on the VAMs .
2 . Go back and forth between the Adult and
BACK INJURY OR ISSUES :
1 . Get close to the Adult VAM and spread your legs as if you were going to lift something heavy . The wide-base provides additional support .
2 . Use an aerobic wide-base stepper to elevate body over the VAM allowing shoulders to be directly over the heel of the hands during compressions . Lock your elbows .
3 . Do NOT use arms / neck / back / shoulders to perform compressions . Instead , keep arms / neck / back / shoulders stiff and bend at the hips to perform compressions . Stick your bottom out behind you and imagine you are trying to hit someone behind you .
Infant skills to allow recovery time from the high activity level required to complete the Adult VAM Hands-On Sessions .
3 . May complete multiple short Hands-On Sessions instead of all at once .
4 . Take a wide stance with your legs like you are going to lift something heavy and angle your body slightly so you feel more natural when placing fingers on the Infant VAM chest . Hold on to the hand performing compressions with the second hand to reinforce support and strength of both hands and arms to perform effective compressions .
5 . If staff members have difficulty bending at the waist , keep arms and back straight with the hands in correct position on chest and bend knees while angled outward slightly to give compressions . ( Like doing squats ).
ONE HAND OR ARM / WHEELCHAIR BOUND / LOWER EXTREMITY WEAKNESS :
1 . Use a sturdy coffee table to provide a low setting for a person with a wheelchair . This allows the person to roll the wheelchair right up to and over the manikin . They can lean forward and are positioned correctly over the manikin . This is also helpful for a very short person . In a real situation , this staff person could get on the floor with the victim and use a pillow , blanket , or jacket to support knees .
2 . Some employees with disabilities are unable to perform CPR with two hands . Accommodations can vary between organizations and educators but it is important to stay compliant with the Guidelines . One accommodation is to have the employee use the Leg-Heel Method known as “ Pedal Compressions .” Pedal compressions are useful in situations when a rescuer cannot get down on the floor , cannot compress the chest with the arms to guideline depth due to disability , infirmity , or lack of weight ( Trenkamp & Perez , 2015 ).
CONSIDER THE FOLLOWING TYPES OF LEARNERS IF YOUR ORGANIZATION TRAINS USING POCKET MASKS , RATHER THAN BAG-MASK VALVES :
Very Athletic Learners : Those who do a lot of cardio often have difficulty performing ventilations on the adult VAM .
1 . Learners ’ breaths often result in feedback that the breaths are too forceful . This is because their breaths are naturally more forceful due to breathing patterns when they exercise . We tell them their breaths are more efficient than those who do not exercise regularly so they have to hold back a little . This recognition of their fitness as being superior also helps to diminish the frustration they may feel .
2 . Have the learners think to themselves that they are not ‘ giving a breath .’ While they will need to give enough of a breath to inflate the lungs , they should think of it as almost ‘ just an exhale .’ This may take a little practice but they will be successful . They almost have to ‘ hold back ’ a little on the breath .
HealthStream . com / contact • 800.521.0574 • 19