I am proud to report that as of this past Saturday, I have received Red Cross training in performing CPR using the latest guidelines, using an AED, and bits and pieces of what to do for situations that may require first aid.
CPR has changed since I learned it in high school. It's much easier, and you do provide a couple of "rescue breaths" between each cycle of 30 chest compressions. Learn it for yourself! There's a reason I don't list all of the changes here! Learn more about the training mannequin here.
AEDs are SO COOL. Our instructor said they were designed by third graders, and if you see one in action (training mode is preferable, of course), you'll see why I almost believe him. The machine tells you exactly what to do in an authoritative, male voice. (The two I've heard had male voices.) (The ones my company owns have the voice of Peter Thomas on them.) (I'm such a nerd, I recognized his voice!)
First aid...it's mostly about common sense. One does need to get permission from a conscious person to perform any act of rescue, but even if the victim refuses, we learned it's a good idea at least to follow the person until some kind of help can arrive. And if you're unsure of ANYTHING, you call 9-1-1 (in North America). Oh, and there are some nice stories about little kids who save people using the Heimlich maneuver, which they learned from watching Sesame Street.
Our instructor was a soft-spoken (had to really listen!) retired fire fighter. He was able to tell us when the actors in the Red Cross training video were performing steps incorrectly. Hey...they're volunteers, too. I strongly recommend taking a few hours out of your busy life to take a course and be considered certified for two years. Just because you know what to do, you are not required to do it. Nor can you be sued for trying in good faith.
Okay, ONE MORE little tidbit. Dr. Neil deGrasse Tyson tweeted a few days ago, pointing out that in all the sci-fi shows, it's always a female voice that counts down to total destruction.
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