Essay by: ISP071
Life is similar to a revolving door where people come and go. I think that if in the spur of the moment situation, one would act in the case of a lifesaving event if one could do so. To stand helpless in the time of need would make someone feel helpless. In my mind the thought would arise, “Why couldn’t I have helped or what could I have done to save that persons’ life”? When we think of the medical field I think most would agree that our morals drive our ethical decisions. Therefore, if a person were presented with a situation to help someone in a time of need, they probably would, if they knew how to that is. With the question, “Do I think it’s important for non-healthcare professionals to know CPR”? Should it be mandatory? No, not necessarily but the question is do I think it is important? My answer is yes because in my opinion, more so than often, a person would likely help in cardiopulmonary resuscitation if the time arose.
The way I think of CPR is how I think of the importance of health and nutrition or safety. We all know that smoking can cause cancer and that wearing a seat belt may save our lives in the event of an accident. These are things in life that may arise and as responsible citizens, we should be aware of and educated about ways of preventative care. Whether it is CPR or shouting the word “behind” when carrying an entire tray of food behind a co-worker in a restaurant, these are everyday precautions in helping one another out. This is where I think that if safety is a course now being taught as a preventative measure, than why not include a simple instruction in the workplace in the form of CPR in the event that safety precautions fail.
When bringing up the notion of health and nutrition in comparison to knowing CPR, it is simply this, if people are aware of something, they may make an effort in changing their habits or may feel better about the choices they make. Most likely people who become educated on a topic will make better more informed decisions. Not to say they always will, but the chances they will are higher than if they are not. Knowledge is power and we can choose to do whatever we want with it but the idea is that having it will empower us to use it to better ourselves or someone else. Knowing how to engage in CPR is an educated skill that one can use or not use but knowing how to use it, can prepare us in a time when it may be needed to save a life.
I bring up an example of a restaurant atmosphere because there were several instances that having the skill and education of CPR would have helped either my co-workers or customers. As a new nursing student, I now have the skill and certification to perform CPR which I am extremely happy to possess. In the event that I am available to provide this skill I will do so because I am trained to do so. The times before my training I myself felt helpless and pretty terrible I didn’t know CPR. I would think, “Why don’t I know CPR”? Anywhere and at any time, anything could happen and I always want to be prepared even if it is a last resort to helping somebody. There are things in life we as healthcare professionals, or non-healthcare professionals, should be educated about to increase our overall knowledge in contributing to ourselves and to one another.
