Lisa

Cathy, Rob, and Andy, Thanks for a great paddling experience. It made my weekend! I, too, am looking forward to more kayak trips.

I would like to join this trip, but I am unfamiliar with the area. Is there an address I can use for the GPS? Also curious if you have an idea of how long you will be on the water? Thank you.

I am not going to be able to make this after all. Sorry.

I could do a Sunday paddle, but not Saturday. Sorry.

As a CPR instructor for more than 19 years, I wanted to add my thoughts. There are some great ideas in this thread. The question was raised about statistics so this is what I found from the American Heart Association website: CPR facts and statistics  About 75 percent to 80 percent of all out-of-hospital cardiac arrests happen at home, so being trained to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) can mean the difference between life and death for a loved one.  Effective bystander CPR, provided immediately after cardiac arrest, can double a victim’s chance of survival.  CPR helps maintain vital blood flow to the heart and brain and increases the amount of time that an electric shock from a defibrillator can be effective.  Approximately 95 percent of sudden cardiac arrest victims die before reaching the hospital.  Death from sudden cardiac arrest is not inevitable. If more people knew CPR, more lives could be saved.  Brain death starts to occur four to six minutes after someone experiences cardiac arrest if no CPR and defibrillation occurs during that time.  If bystander CPR is not provided, a sudden cardiac arrest victim’s chances of survival fall 7 percent to 10 percent for every minute of delay until defibrillation. Few attempts at resuscitation are successful if CPR and defibrillation are not provided within minutes of collapse.  Coronary heart disease accounts for about 450,000 of the nearly 870,000 adults who die each year as a result of cardiovascular disease.  Approximately 310,000 of all annual adult coronary heart disease deaths in the United States are suffered outside the hospital setting and in hospital emergency departments. Of those deaths, about 166,200 are due to sudden cardiac arrest.  Sudden cardiac arrest is most often caused by an abnormal heart rhythm called ventricular fibrillation (VF). Cardiac arrest can also occur after the onset of a heart attack or as a result of electrocution or near-drowning.  When sudden cardiac arrest occurs, the victim collapses, becomes unresponsive to gentle shaking, stops normal breathing and after two rescue breaths, still isn’t breathing normally, coughing or moving. http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jht...ntifier=3034352 The most common cause of cardiac arrest is ventricular fibrillation. The most effective treatment for ventricular fibrillation is defibrillation via an AED. Thus, I would recommend calling for help and getting to land ASAP. The first part of CPR is making sure “the scene is safe.” So removing life jackets, climbing on kayaks, etc, creates an unsafe environment and will prolong getting effective treatment. I asked Todd Wright about CPR on the water last year. Essentially, it is not possible to do effectively. He did make reference to attempting to perform CPR the way Rick has described……similar to the Heimlick, etc. After teaching CPR to kayakers, we have had a very similar conversation as this thread. I was also asked about putting the victim in the water (assuming you are in New England & the water is cold.) The thought behind it is to slow the metabolism. When I posed this to a cardiologist at work, he was impressed with the thought process but said the idea would not work. First, it is not safe. Second, you would need to submerse the head but not the face & make sure no water gets in the mouth. He said that CPR is not effective on the water and the victim would need to get to land. If CPR is needed while in a kayak, the out come is not likely to be a positive one.

Congratulations to those who attended the AHA 1st Aid class on April 22. It was an enjoyable time & everyone did a nice job. Thank you.

Rick S, Thank you. It was a great session. I learned alot & had a great time. Lisa

I enjoyed instructing the CPR class. It was alot of fun. Everyone did a great job. Thanks for the opportunity.

There is still space available but time to sign up will end Monday, Feb 19th. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions. Thanks.

I am on the waiting list. You can have my spot if I get one:) Lisa

Congratulations!

I missed the show but found the story on line. Amazing! http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2003/02/12/...ain540357.shtml

I've been trying for over a year. Maybe you will have better luck.

Can one bring a guest who is not a member or a kayaker?

Curious how people store their kayaks? There are many commercial products to help with this. Just wondering what people have used or created. Very interested in storing ideas that only require one person. Thanks.

I'd be interested if this was Saturday. I do have a committment in the morning.

How did you tape your paddles? I like the idea.

I keep missing these Skill Sessions because of my random work schedule. Some time I will get there as I am very interested in attending. I apprecaite the time you took to practice at the SNG in Rockport.

I am new to this message board & website as well as kakaying with a group. Would it be OK if I joined you? (Assuming I can find Back Beach.) I am some what familiar with the area you are refering to. Thanks.