Life: On Air
Code Blue: Interrupted
Wed, May 9, 2007 - 2:16 PM
I was sitting in our monthly marathon pupil personnel committee meeting going over all the kidlets who needed support services or referrals into special education…and then the call came over the loudspeaker…
“Code Blue! Room 119”
It was a drill (I was told in advance), but the man from the city was there as well grading our school on our proficiency and response time for doing CPR. The assistant principal came into my office the day before, grabbed me by the shoulders and said “You have to do this, Steph…you’re the only one who got a perfect score during the class.” So, I took the book and video home to brush up on the procedure. I practiced on a pillow and I even tried to practice on Calvin, but my persnickety feline wasn’t cooperating.
I hightailed it to the location, taking the steps two at a time, hair pulled back in a ponytail so as not to get in the way…I exploded through the double doors and rounded the corner only to find one of the teachers already there administering CPR to the naked half dummy laying on the floor. Dejected, I stood by and watched.
The nurse came with the defibrillator and looked clueless as what to do with it. Someone else snatched it out of her hands and applied the pads in the proper position and switched the machine on…
”Charging…stay back” called the other teacher.
Hey! That was supposed to be my line!
The man called “time” and said we passed the test. All the adrenaline rushed out of my body and I walked Charlie Brown style, slowly, head down, shuffling along, back to my room. My big break…gone in an instant! *sniffle*
Wed, May 9, 2007 - 2:16 PM -
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9 Comments
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Wed, May 9, 2007 - 2:21 PM
I am sorry you didn't get to complete your special task. :(
But at least you know how and there will be a half naked dummy with your name on it in your future. Better than a real person having that kind of trouble anyway. |
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Wed, May 9, 2007 - 2:24 PM
Did the man from the city sound all "Wah wah wah wah wah"? That would have been killer!! :)
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Wed, May 9, 2007 - 6:22 PM
you should cruise around town tonight, in your superhero costume, looking for dummies in distress! you could be the phantom cpr person. legends and tall tales would be told about you. a cub reporter would make a name for himself by barely missing you each time. then you could play yourself in the movie.
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Wed, May 9, 2007 - 11:46 PM
Steph,
Often times we learn nothing from success, but with failure or inability to perform although we know we are capable of doing so, as in your case with this situation, much more is gleaned from the experience than if you were actually allowed to "show your stuff". I am certain when the real test comes (and it certainly will some day) you will demonstrate your skill when it really counts. |
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Thu, May 10, 2007 - 2:33 AM
Aw, too bad you missed your chance to show what you know.
C'est la vie! |
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Thu, May 10, 2007 - 7:18 AM
Even as a CPR Instructor and Instructor Trainer I have never had the opportunity to use those skills, accept in training. I know though that I'll be prepared in case I do need those skills someday.
Over 300,000 people die from heart attacks each year in the U.S. 90 percent of those never make it to the hospital alive. Often times it is because no one is able, (or willing) to give CPR. Recent studies from Canada show that 30 percent of those folks that are given CPR within the first three minutes of going down will survive. That is an impressive figure. Even more people would survive if an AED was available. As for me, I keep my skills up doing practice sessions with my students and always have a barrier handy to protect myself in case I am called to perform these skills. (It's on my key-chain). To me.....you're a hero Steph...just by having taken the time to learn this important skill and being ready and willing to perform it. So..your cape goes back into the closet...ever-ready to yank out again when needed. Back to the mild-mannered job that is important to your kids, ready for what ever comes along. [big salute]. I hope that other members of Tribe will take the time, (if they have not already), to learn this important skill. |
