BASIC CPR FEEDBACK

“Push hard, push fast.” That’s the basic mantra for compression-only CPR, which we know can save lives during cardiac arrest. How do we know when students in our citizen CPR classes have the right compression depth, rate and full release? For compression rate, we might use a metronome or play “Stayin’ Alive.” To assure proper depth, we may use manikins with a clicker, although monitoring compression release requires some sort of electronic device. The new cprCUBE from I.M. Lab provides a compact, low-cost, easy-to-use CPR feedback coach. Students simply push on the top of the urethane foam block, and a sensor analyzes output in real-time. Once the student has the correct depth, rate and release, a series of LED lights around the base is activated. This allows an instructor to easily see which students are performing CPR properly and those who require additional coaching.

By Fran Hildwine, BS NREMT-P.