New Technology Improves CPR Skills Making CPREzy

I am always on the look out for advances in the field of First Aid training. So when I attended the European Resuscitation Council conference in Norway back in May 2006, I discovered a new device that I believe will impact on the quality of both First Aid/CPR training AND the First Aider's ability to be more effective in an emergency.

Research in Germany found that students using this devise (which is a sensor pad, known as CPREzy) during training retained their skills longer when they were tested later without the device.

With around 250,000 heart attacks in the UK each year, approximately half are cardiac arrest (when the heart stops beating). Less than 5% of cardiac arrest casualties survive – often due to no, or poor, CPR at the time of collapse.

Correctly performed CPR can make the difference between life and death by providing sufficient blood flow to the brain to prevent brain damage - giving First Aiders more confidence (and giving their casualty a better chance of survival) with this amazing new device.

One device in each workplace building could give First Aiders more confidence if and when they have to deal with a situation. It is also a perfect TRAINING tool as it can be used on any hard surface for practice purposes, so I've incorporated it into all OPTIMUM courses.

This device provides hope for improving the statistics mentioned earlier. With testimonials for the device both in and out of hospital, plus the back up research which concluded:
“The use of the simple, portable and reuseable device by previously untrained people leads to a significant improvement in a cardiac arrest scenario to standard training regarding rate and depth of the External Chest Compressions.”
And
“This device is able to achieve an enduring effect for the compression depth after it has been used for resuscitation training”.

The device is an interactive aid designed to assist First Aiders perform more effective CPR in an emergency by:
1. Giving out an audible tone at the rate of 100 beats per minute, which means the First Aider doesn't have to think "Is this the correct pace? Am I doing it fast enough?"
2. Lights on the pad indicate the level of force that is being applied via a sensor. It informs the First Aider at 5 levels for a; child, small adult, average adult, large adult and extra large adult. Can be used on anyone weighing 40kg or more. This means that the First Aider can see how much pressure they are applying and if the sensors will indicate if more pressure needs to be applied.
Simply follow these steps:
1. Place the mask over the casualty's mouth
2. Position the pad on the lower half of the casualty's chest
3. Switch the pad on. An audible 100 beats per minute tone will begin.
4. Continue CPR as normal by pressing down onto the pad placed on the chest.

Pack contains:
Training Video DVD including CPR
2 pairs gloves
1 Sensor Pad
1 x battery
1 x face mask
Water resistant carry case that can be fitted to the wall.

I've made a decision to invest in this device for training courses in order to help course participants to become more proficient for longer.

The retail price of this is approximately £140 inc VAT (plus delivery) and if you want to invest in one so you can practice your skills or learn more about it then visit www.optimum-training.com