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Jul 27, 2009 8:26 pm US/Central
Local Lifeguards Trained In Dangerous Techniques
DALLAS (CBS 11 / TXA 21)
—
It has been described as reckless, negligent, unethical and useless. CBS 11 News has learned that some local lifeguardbe trained to use the Heimlich Maneuver before using CPR on an unconscious drowning victim. The result could be
fatal,
and has the local medical comvery concerned.Cities like Rowlett and Dallas hired a Houston-based company called NASCO (National Aquatic Safety Company), which instructs lifeguards to use the
m
as a first-response to a drowning victim. NASCO runs one of the country's largest water safety certification programs.Dr. Paul Pepe is the Director of Medical Emergency Services for the City of Dallas, and a highly respected national expert on emergency medicine. Pepwrite "The Handbook on Drowning." His conclusion, there is "no need to perform the so-called Heimlich Maneuver" - CPR is the first aid you render. "Wgeneral rescue, when they're unconscious, when they're basically needing immediate resuscitation, we don't waste a lot of time doing that. We get rightresuscitation techniques, compressions."TheAmerican Heart Associationstates, "After thorough review, the AHA believes the most important thing is give two rescue breaths and then CPR." TheAmerican Red Crossteaches CPR all over the country and states using the Heimlich - or, as it is sometimes called, abdominal thrusts -- wastes preciousmoments.The fear among medical professionals is
real.
In 1987, the Journal of the American Medical Associationdocumented the caseof a 10-year-old boy founbottom of a swimming
pool.
He was given the Heimlich Maneuver, causing him to breathe in his own vomit. He ended up in a vegetative state for seven yhe
died.
Dr. John Hunsucker runs NASCO. Hunsucker is a university Assistant Professor of Industrial Engineering, and is not a medical doctor. Hunsucker claimthe Heimlich Maneuver on a drowning victim saves lives, and he teaches the technique all over the world.When CBS 11 News asked Hunsucker for scientific evidence to support his position, he sent us athree-page paperstating the maneuver "does not delaand that "..medical professionals are hesitant to do mouth-to-mouth resuscitation." In one news report, Hunsucker was quoted as saying CPR puts the rerisk of AIDS, hepatitis and tuberculosis.Click hereto read Hunsucker's thoughts on "CPR Issues For Lifeguards."The American Red Cross says it has scientific proof that CPR works. "We spend countless hours verifying that what we are teaching someone to do - thproven to be effective," said local American Red Cross spokesperson Anita Foster.Despite backlash in the medical community, a spokesperson with the City of Rowlett told CBS 11 News, "We've read and researched. We feel comfortabour lifeguards being trained under NASCO protocols."The City of Dallas uses the NASCO protocols in its training, but told CBS 11 News its lifeguards are instructed not to use the Heimlich Maneuver as the fresponse on an unconscious drowning victim.City-operated pools may not be the only ones at risk. CBS 11 News obtained a 2008 NASCO client list and found the Hawaiian Falls waterparks in GarlaColony were listed as clients. When CBS 11 News contacted Hawaiian Falls to find out if it still uses NASCO protocols and trains lifeguards to use the HeManeuver as a first response - the company's public relations firm sent an e-mail stating: "Our client does not care to participate in this story."
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7/27/09, "Local Lifeguards Trained in Dangerous Techniques," CBS11 News, Dallas
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| Upload Date: | 11/09/2010 |
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