MEETING MY BLUE FRIENDS

About a month ago, my newborn grandson had to be hospitalized for four days.  It was such a frightening time for our family.  Just before he was released, his mom and dad attended a CPR class that was given in the hospital.  I knew then that I wanted to take the class, too.  I had actually taken CPR training a few times in the past, but it had been a a while....and I knew I needed a refresher.

When I spoke with some friends about my desire to take the class one of them also expressed an interest.

So, I got on the phone and located a class that was being given to a group of child care providers---they let Mary Ann and I in the class, too.

As we entered the classroom, we saw our  BLUE FRIENDS waiting for us. 

This two-hour class, which was sponsored by The American Heart Association, taught cardiopulmonary resuscitation for infants to adults. 

Two nurses led the class.  We received video presentations, followed by discussions, then lots of practice on our BLUE FRIENDS.  At the end of each target age group, we demonstrated our understanding of the CPR procedure on our BLUE FRIEND for our instructor.....then we were "checked off" on our sheets as having passed that particular level.

Mary Ann is pictured with our BLUE FRIEND----- she and I had to share it for the class because there were 43 students and only about 20 manikins.

Here I am with the BLUE FRIEND.  Sharing the manikin  for the testing was OK because they gave us our very own "barrier" to place over its mouth.  So, there was no germy stuff going on---just some great CPR practice.

Here I am pretending to give chest compressions .  You can see the barrier that is placed over BLUE FRIEND'S face.  If I had really been doing the compressions, I would have been pushing straight down each time (about 1 and 1/2 to 2 inches), then letting the chest come back to its normal position, before pushing down again. This is really tiring if you're doing  the rapid and deep compressions (in sets of 30),  followed by two breaths into the mouth, then repeating with the 30 compressions and 2 breaths- - - over and over .  Actually, I have weak wrists, and I could certainly "feel" the pressure in them after awhile.  However, I'm very certain, that if I was in a situation where someone's life depended on me making those rapid and deep compressions many, many times---I wouldn't be thinking about my wrists.

An unexpected surprise in the class was "snack time". 

It takes so little to make us happy!!!

After our snacks, we came to the age level I was the most interested in----the infant and young child.  However, I will tell you, it was very hard for me to actually see the little baby manikins.....after our scare with our little Grand Boy.  Yet, he and my 3 year old Grand Girl were the motivation for getting me to this class. 

Once I saw the video of the CPR process for the tiny size and actually had hands on practice, I felt a lot more comfortable.

As the evening progressed, we demonstrated our knowledge of the CPR process for all age groups.  Happily, we received our certifications and were sent home feeling better about our understanding and ability to help someone in a crisis.

I pray I don't ever have to use my skills, but I feel very certain that I wouldn't hesitate to try to help someone in distress.

THE STONE RABBIT said he was very happy I had taken the CPR training.  Then he asked if he could read the book that I had received from the class. . . . .just to make certain he had an idea of what to do in case one of his yard buddies ever needed help.

That rabbit always tries to be prepared.

Please visit SMILING SALLY for more Blue Monday links!!!

DANA

Comments

[Rechelle]

Good for you Dana! I think it's fantastic that you took the class. I need to get recertified myself and I think you've lit the fire under my behind to get moving. Thanks for that!
Enjoy your day and I hope your beautiful grandbaby is doing well. Hugs.

[I'm Julia @ Drawn to the Sea]

Knowing you're prepared in the event of another emergency MUST be very calming. Hopefully you'll never need those skills, but how nice to have them, just in case.

Happy Blue Monday!
Julia @ Drawn to the Sea

[Diane]

You are just too cute for words!

That was a great idea to take the class again. It's been more years than I can remember since I had it & a good thing to think about doing again.

Thank you for the sweet comment! I could post about Farm Town but that probably wouldn't interest a whole lot of folks, so I need to think of something besides planting, plowing & harvesting! ☺ Diane

[Becky K.]

Great post. I hope others are inspired to do this as well. I used to be certified. It would be a good idea to re-take the course.

You did a lovely job in making this post!

Becky K.

[Darlene]

How wonderful it is that you are prepared in case of an emergency. I definitely need to find one of those classes in town and take the lessons. You never know when you might need them. Great pictures & post! Hope you and the Stone Rabbit have a wonderful week!♥

[cindy dodd]

What a wonderful thing to do. I need to do it again, too long ago. Nice pictures of you in class.
Cindy

[Pam]

I will agree with your prayer that you never need to use your skills on anyone...especially a grand child. Great post to inspire.

[Itajeff]

Hi Dana..
That was a great idea for you to take the class. You must be well prepared now for a case of emergency.
Happy Blue Monday
♥Ita

[Angela]

Hey Dana!

What a great idea! Everyone should take a class on CPR. I haven't ever taken a class and now after seeing you in your class it has inspired me that I should do it. Now, I'll have to see if they offer something when the kids are in school and get it done.

I'm so glad that our prayers were answered and your grand son is doing well!

Hugs,
Angela

[Coloradolady]

That is a class everyone should take. You just never know when you might need that skill. Glad your new grand son is doing fine. Happy Blue Monday.

[claudie]

Now that is an interesting blue post Dana.
You always have cool posts.
Happy Blue Monday
Love Claudie
P.S. Looks like the lunch was the best part lol
xoxoxo

[Terry]

Howdy Dana
Happy Blue Monday to you sweetie.
Wow that Stone Rabbit never misses a beat !
Blessings to you and yours.
I am so glad you took this class what an awesome thing to do.
I am so happy for you and Stone Rabbit I think all your family and friends are too !
Big Hugs
Happy Trails

[bj]

Good for you, Sweetie. We all need to know this. I am going to enroll in a class right away. Thanks for spuring me on!!
xo bj

[Pat]

Did I miss your b'day?

I thought of you week before last, when the car show was here. We didn't go and J didn't judge. It was pouring rain!!
Anyway, happy birthday!!

I've not had CPR training. J and all the other employees of the electric coop take the classes every year. J hasn't since his retirement,though.

I didn't know Macon has a Ben Franklin! I may need to take a detour there, sometime. Washington MO still had a Ben Franklin a few years ago. I don't know if it's still there. I always loved going to Ben Franklin!

[Sally]

That rabbit is one smart bunny! Thanks for sharing. Happy Blue Monday.

[Terri]

A D O R A B L E!

[heather]

what a great idea. i could use a refresher course myself!

[Judi]

Hi Dana
Happy Blue Monday
I hope you never have the opportunity to use your CPR but it is so good that you took the course. We should all take it. Good for you!
thank you for sharing..
come by and visit sometime.
Judi

[Lynn's Lovelies]

Oh Dana...what a fantastic post! How awful that must have been! How is your little grandson?
Happy Blue Monday and thanks so much for sharing such an important experience with all of us!
Hugs,
Lynn♥

~let FREEDOM Ring!~

[Viv (VivLyn)]

That's wonderful, Dana! I might think about seeing if one of those classes were available around me. I have never done CPR and am at an age now where it might be necessary some day. So glad to see the SR reading the book. His friends will sure be pleased if they ever need him!

[MyThoughtsMyVoice]

You truly made a very serious class into something fun. You tell it to others so they will enjoy too. Given that this is a serious thing, it is a nice feeling to have that "preparedness". But as much as we are proud of something like this, you are right, we do so not wish to not use it for we do not wish for such situation to happen.

For this, I greet you a happy blue Monday!

Li

[Dixie]

Dana.. you're just the best grandma ever! and you are truly one of those people that has fun where ever she goes! can I follow you around for about a week! LOL

good for you, updating your class. I think everyone should!

[jeanne]

Hi Dana, I have been working in the yard STILL! It is beginning to look pretty good. My roses are in the ground looking very happy blooming away. It is raining so they are happy. It is supposed to rain for the next 10 days. We can use the rain.

I hope your grand boy is still doing well. I loved the photos you sent me. I was looking at them today. I am glad his big sister is loving him. My grands are growing up so fast. I miss that baby stage.

I am thinking of using those plates in my Master bath. I never have decorated in there I could put them in a box frame so they don't look so kitcheny!! I made that word up. LOL. I like a French theme. We'll see.

Take care.

Love, Jeanne

[Mary Ann]

You not only got me to take CPR with you, but you have inspired countless other people with your blog to attend a CPR class! You may have saved a life with out even having to use CPR yourself!! Think of that!! Good Job Dana!! L, Mary Ann