I arrived home from vacation tonight and as I was walking through the airport this CPR training kiosk caught my eye. I was delighted to see this life-saving machine deployed in a public space and made available for free to anyone passing by.
In the US, over 350,000 out-of-hospital cardiac arrests occur each year. In just a few minutes this kiosk can teach anyone how to perform CPR, which can significantly improve a person's chance of surviving a cardiac arrest. In the hospital, we use sophisticated simulation labs to practice "mock codes" where providers hone their life-support skills as a team.
The kiosk features an interactive torso to practice while you watch the training video. The creators have made it simple to learn and even suggest remembering the rhythm of chest compressions by compressing to the tune of the classic disco song Stayin' Alive (100-120 compressions per minute).
I feel strongly that everyone should have basic CPR training, even if it's just from watching a short video. You never know when this simple skill could help save a life. In fact I recently enrolled my mother and father in a daylong CPR training course. Hopefully they will never need to use the skills they learned but should the situation arise, they'll be better prepared.
There are several great resources to learn about CPR. The American Heart Association [AHA] has several training centers located across the United States and other countries. Their YouTube channel also has several short videos on CPR. Check them out!