My experience as a pilot I will tell you that pilots get some classroom training in medical emergencies. Flight attendants receive CPR training, but they are not certified in it. This reduces the company’s liability because they are not EMTs or paramedics. This is different from the type of hands-on training they would need to be able to administer. 

Two women doing CPR utilizing a chest compression feedback device - What does a CFD monitor?

In the event of a medical emergency during a flight, the airline staff must help the passenger gather as much information as possible, ask if a medical professional is on board, and then notify the pilot. The pilot will then decide whether to divert or not to divert the flight.

With my getting older and some additional interest in the topic, I have learned about the topic and decided to create a place (this page) to combine and document my findings. Kind of like I did with the 800+ questions to ask on a road trip article.

Here they are.

What does a chest compression feedback device monitor? 

A chest compression feedback device monitors the chest compression depth, recoil, hand position, and compression rate of the individual performing CPR as well as both visual and audible feedback on those points. 

The components of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR)

When it comes to administering CPR, there are four main components that help to increase the chances of successfully reversing cardiac arrest as quickly as possible as well as activating the body’s own emergency response system as soon as possible.

Performing chest compressions early in CPR is the first step. Rapid defibrillation is the second component. An effective advanced life support system is the third component. Post-cardiac arrest care is the fourth.

What Is A Chest Compression Feedback Device?

A CPR feedback device is useful for monitoring and learning the quality of the chest compression and resuscitory work being done and providing the rescuer with key information regarding the basic parameters of the manual chest compressions being carried out, such as compression rate and depth, and the amount of retraction of the chest in full compression.

Chest acceleration compression depth signals are used to track the depth and speed of the CPR session. 

Additionally, rescuers can use this device to give corrective instructions for the rate, level, depth, and recoil of the chest and cardiopulmonary resuscitations during the episode. In addition, this device provides important and basic information on a person’s chest compression fractions.

For example, it indicates how long the provider spent performing chest compressions. 

The feedback device provides feedback in real-time of multiple points: depth of compression, compression rate, and rate of recoil of a patient’s chest to the person(s) providing the CPR. 

This device is typically called a CPR feedback device. 

These types of devices may not be necessary for infants or children to receive CPR.

An unresponsive victim undergoing BLS should have their pulse checked. What are the steps or parts of this check?

If the victim is awake and conscious, remember to check for a pulse and signs they are conscious after performing this process four times – 30 compressions and two breaths. Until help arrives, continue with the same cadence of 30 compressions and then 2 breaths, checking their pulse after every four times through this cycle.

What are mechanical chest compressions?

Mechanical chest compressions are just that. They are external chest compressions given by a machine instead of a human

There are several devices currently available on the market, but devices can be broadly classified into two groups, such as devices with a load-distributing band or pistons, based on the mechanism used to deliver the compression.

What is the ratio of compressions to breaths if you are performing CPR on a child?

For an adult victim, CPR should be performed with 30 compressions for every 2 breaths. For children and infants, CPR should be performed with 15 compressions for every 2 breaths. Infants should be performed with two thumbs.

What are the five 5 components of chest compression or CPR?

Five components of chest compression or CPR:  

1 – Compression rate of the chest

2 – Rebound of the chest

3 – Compression ratio of the chest

4 – Proper ventilation

5 – Deepness of chest compression

What are the steps for compression-only CPR?

1 – Take the heel of your hand should rest on the person’s chest in the middle.

2 –  Press down with the other hand at between 100-120 compressions per minute. (depressing 5-6cm or 2-2.5 inches from top to bottom)

3 – Deliver 2 breaths to the person every 30 compressions.

Costs of different CPR feedback devices and costs

There are many different price points for CPR feedback devices, costing from $25-$300 on the low end to $4000 on the high end.

There are several tools available, ranging from pretty inexpensive to quite expensive. The cheapest are devices that provide information about compression rates. An audible alarm will be activated if the  2+ inch compression depth is not reached slightly more expensive model.

A full charge takes up to 1.5 hours for these devices. Their battery life is limited to 3 to 4 hours. 

CPR mannequins are included within this as prices get higher. As you move up the price range, you get information on the rate at which you compress and release the product, ventilation volume, number of compressions, ventilations, cycles you have done, and suggestions about how to improve.

These devices are usually sold as part of a kit or pack that includes, or has as options to buy, a wide variety of CPR mannequins for a relatively low cost. In addition, as you learn CPR, be able to choose whether to purchase adult mannequins, child mannequins, or infant mannequins.

Depending on how much you are willing to spend, you can also opt for the more expensive models, which come with realistic anatomic landmarks, so students can practice in the exact same way they would perform chest compressions and CPR on a real person or victim. Additionally, they can feel pulses in the mannequin as well. 

Another drawback to be aware of with the higher end devices is the significant amount of maintenance required to keep them functioning well. These devices include tablet apps that provide real-time summative feedback to an instructor, as well. 

They also take more time to get set up and ready.

What are the 3 C’s of CPR?

3 C’s to Save a Life

  • Check to see if they’re responsive – Ask them, “Are you OK?”
  • Call 9-1-1 – Point your finger at one person and tell them, “I need you to call  9-1-1!” or make the call yourself if no one else is there. (call and put your phone on speaker and start CPR
  • Compress – Start chest compressions (100 per minute).

What is the correct chest compression rate for adults?

For adults, use 100 to 120 compressions a minute.

To start CPR on an adult, the heel of your hand should rest on the person’s chest in the middle. Press down with the other hand at a steady rate of 100-120 compressions a minute. (depressing 5-6cm or 2-2.5 inches from top to bottom) Deliver 2 breaths to the person every 30 compressions.

What is the compression rate for child CPR?

For children, use 100 to 120 compressions a minute.

To start CPR on a child, the heel of your hand should rest on the child’s chest in the middle. Press down with the other hand at a steady rate of 100-120 compressions a minute. (depressing 5-6cm or 2-2.5 inches from top to bottom) Deliver 2 breaths to the child every 30 compressions.

So, What does a chest compression feedback device monitor?

Chest compression feedback devices are extremely helpful and in addition to providing both visual and audible feedback to the individual performing CPR, chest compression feedback devices monitor chest compression depth, recoil, hand position, and compression rate.

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