Can You Save a Life by Singing?

A couple of days ago, I posted a funny blog entry regarding chest compressions as demonstrated in a Superbowl ad by Hyundai. On a more serious note, I ran across an interesting study, also regarding chest compressions.

Picture the scene: the man in front of you has collapsed, his heart has stopped and only you can save him by performing CPR (cardio-pulmonary resuscitation). Is now the time to start sifting through your mental musical jukebox for an up-tempo number?

Up until recently, the answer would probably have been yes. For a while now, potential life-savers have been encouraged to mentally follow certain songs in order to keep up a steady rate of CPR compressions. In the US, people have been advised to follow the beat of the Bee Gees’ Stayin’ Alive song. (In the UK, Nellie the Elephant was evidently the preferred track.)

But a study, published in the British 'Emergency Medicine Journal' a few months ago, has shown that such musically-themed interventions often aren’t effective. Sing-song life-savers tend to concentrate so much on keeping the right rhythm that they don’t compress the victim’s chest deeply enough.

The American Red Cross recommends a rate of 100-120 compressions per minute during CPR – but also stresses that the chest should be compressed by 2 or 3 inches. Correctly performed, CPR is life-saving and can triple survival rates – but unless the compressions are deep enough, the study concluded, you’re essentially using someone as a drum kit while singing Stayin' Alive.

The study measured responses using a number of ‘recommended’ songs (including, inevitably, Achy Breaky Heart by Billy Ray Cyrus) and found that more than a third of compressions were too shallow, regardless of the piece. The study concluded: “We are unconvinced that music provides any benefit in improving the quality of CPR…and suggest that this interesting but unproductive area of resuscitation research should be discontinued.”

Music or no, the key thing is to try to help. As a spokesperson at the Red Cross put it: “It’s important not to get too distracted by the mechanics and rules of applying CPR. Dial 911, and start giving steady chest compressions until emergency help arrives.”

And consider taking a refresher course in CPR, to learn the latest techniques. Sign up for a local course at the American Red Cross website.

Worldwide Wednesday Wrap-Up

Welcome to the Worldwide Wednesday Wrap-Up, in which we consolidate the international Red Cross and Red Crescent news into one list of bite-sized links for you. It's a non-comprehensive sampling of the larger and/or more intriguing aspects of our global work...

AUSTRALIA: Thousands of Australians have been forced to abandon their homes, and many towns have been left isolated as heavy rainfall has caused flood waters to rise in south-western Queensland and northern New South Wales. The Australian Red Cross has more than 150 Red Cross people assisting with the relief effort, managing evacuation centers, and assisting people on their return.

SOUTH SUDAN: After six months as an independent country, South Sudan still faces humanitarian challenges. With a history of 30 years of conflict, the northern regions of today's South Sudan remain particularly volatile. The ICRC is working with the new South Sudan Red Cross to ensure civilians are respected, the wounded are protected, and to provide aid in conflict-affected communities.

MALI: Fighting in the Northern Mali since mid-January has led to a massive number of displaced people living in dire conditions. The ICRC is assisting 26,000 displaced people in and around Ménaka, 4,000 around Aguelhoc and 15,000 others displaced in neighboring Niger. Together with the Mali Red Cross, the ICRC is distributing millet, rice, oil, salt, tarpaulins, blankets, sleeping mats, buckets, kitchen utensils and hygiene items.

MADAGASCAR: Last week a plague-prevention campaign was launched at places of detention in Madagascar with support from the ICRC. In all, more than 3,600 people will benefit at two facilities in Antanimora and Tsiafahy, which have severely overcrowded conditions and limited opportunities for maintaining hygiene. Madagascar is one of the few places where the plague is still prevalent, with between 300 and 600 cases occurring in recent years.


GLOSSARY:

ICRC = International Committee of the Red Cross
IFRC = International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies

PHOTO:
Red Cross volunteer Lynette Tyler provides personal support for Mary Stanton, a Kamilaroi Aboriginal elder, who had to evacuate her home along with 3,000 others from the town of St. George. Australian Red Cross/Jack Tran

How the Red Cross Responded to January's Storm, and How They Will Respond in the Future

Two weeks ago, the Oregon Red Cross set up an Emergency Disaster Relief Shelter at the Newport Fairgrounds for victims of the recent storms and floods. The shelter was only operating for 24 hours before it was removed, and did not serve any clients during that time. However, before it was removed, the Red Cross wanted to open it up to anyone curious to learn more about how an Emergency Disaster Relief Shelter would operate.

Oregon Coast Daily News was there to learn from Red Cross Emergency Education Coordinator, CiCie Pratt.

Filmed by Kiera Morgan, edited by Guy Leech

Speaking of Super Bowl Ads...Awesome Job Neymarc Brothers!

A HUGE congrats to our award-winning friends at Neymarc Visuals, who, before creating their hilarious Super Bowl commercial for Dannon (earning them the title of "Youngest Ever Directors in Super Bowl Ad History"), filmed two incredible pro-bono ads to encourage blood donors at the Red Cross. Vote for their Super Bowl ad and support these hardworking brothers...and watch their Red Cross videos below!

MOFILM 1st Place Winner: "You Save"

MOFILM 2nd Place Winner: "SuperHero"

For more information on these outstanding artists, visit Neymarc Visuals on their website and become a fan of their Facebook page.

"Think Fast" - take a Red Cross CPR class

During the Superbowl, Hyundai demonstrated an amusingly inefficient way to perform chest compressions on a comatose patient. Not a substitute for taking a Red Cross CPR class, but this sure is funny.

Blaze sparks at SE Portland apartment complex

Oregon Red Cross volunteers are assisting several SE Portland residents displaced by an apartment fire in the 2000 block of SE 122nd Avenue. Red Cross volunteers are prepared to provide humanitarian assistance, which is provided free of charge, and may include comfort kits, lodging, food, clothing and information about health and mental health services.

As reported by KOIN Local 6, investigators believe the two-alarm fire at a Southeast Portland apartment complex on Saturday night was caused by a careless smoker. The blaze broke out sometime before 7:39 p.m. at the El Moro Apartments, located at 2016 SE 122nd Avenue.

Alisa Cour, spokesperson for Portland Fire and Rescue, says the fire initially started in a one-story unit, but arriving crews discovered that strong east winds had spread it to three others through a common attic space, prompting the second-alarm.

Firefighters cut a hole in the roof of all four one-story units, which had all been safely evacuated prior to their arrival. The fire was brought under control within about 40 minutes.

There were no injuries, but an elderly woman was treated at the scene for smoke inhalation. The Red Cross is assisting displaced residents with housing. TriMet also sent a bus to the scene to help residents stay warm.

Red Cross responds to McMinnville Apartment Fire

Oregon Red Cross volunteers responded to an apartment fire on Sesame Street in McMinnville, OR. They provided humanitarian assistance to 15 people displaced by the fire. All services were provided free of charge and may have included comfort kits, lodging, food, clothing and mental health services.

As reported by KWG news, two young children, a 5-year-old girl and a 6-year-old boy, were home alone when a fire started in a McMinnville apartment and spread to three other units Friday morning, authorities said. A neighbor pulled the girl to safety from the burning apartment.

Emergency crews were called just before 11 a.m. on Friday to a report of a fire in the 1700 block of Sesame Street. A blanket had caught on fire and the flames quickly spread through the apartment, according to the McMinnville Fire Department. Neighbor Tonya Wright said by the time she got downstairs the boy had already jumped out of a bedroom window. But his 5-year-old sister was still trying to get out.

“She was standing there and I just grabbed her by the arm and pulled her out,” Wright told KGW. Investigators said one of the children or a dog inside the apartment started the fire by knocking over a candle. That unit and a nearby apartment were heavily damaged.

Two other units were also damaged. There were no reports of injuries. A total of 15 tenants were displaced by the fire and Red Cross was assisting at the scene.