CPR: Learn to Save a Life

I've taken the CPR training class several times over the years: it's a grueling six hour physical and mental workout that leaves your head reeling, and your palms itching to save your first choking victim. I almost Heimlich-ed my husband one night at dinner when I noticed his eyes beginning to water and his face turning red. Just before I flew into action, he held up a hand and said--in a distinctly non-choking voice--"tofu meatloaf," and I realized he wasn't in any danger of choking (but possibly of being choked). In CPR: Learn to Save a Life, instructor Charles Procter, a CPR/Paramedic with 11 years of emergency experience, offers a straight ahead, no frills demonstration of basic CPR, rescue breathing and the Heimlich Maneuver. The overview includes a quick lesson in basic anatomy, a brief look at the Good Samaritan law, the ABC's of CPR, breath and chest compression cycle guidelines for adults, children and infants (separately color coded on the tape for easy access), and advice on the use of protective gloves and CPR masks while performing these life-saving techniques. Of course, proper hands-on CPR training--with a live instructor and a CPR dummy--provides people with a level of confidence which cannot be duplicated on video. Still, for general review, this no-nonsense approach "designed to correct sudden unexpected death" (my nominee for Euphemism of the Year!) is recommended for those without similar fare, such as Self Study CPR (VL-11/98) or The Complete Guide to CPR (VL-3/94). (N. Plympton)