the NN. Shore PAGE 24 21 - Wednesdays, August Redisco ver’ Baby's breath PEDIATRIC NURSE Mary Jane Murphy (right) demonstrates to Marino Trons and Liz MacCarl the correct method for- listening to a baby breathing during a recent CPR class at the West Vancouver Day Care Society. Murphy is conducting a one-woman crusade to fight public apathy about: learning the_ lifesaving skill. NEWS photo Noll Lucente PEDIATKIC NURSE TAKES ON KNOWLEDGE CRUSADE CHANCES ARE almost everyone in his or her life- time will be faced with a sit- uation in which someone is choking. By MICHAEL BECKER News Reporter Two out of every three will find themselves in a situation calling for Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) skills. Most will not be equipped to respond. The hard truth is that a paltry four per cent of Canadians are familiar with CPR. The staggering discrepancy between need and knowledge has made a CPR crusader of Mary Jane Murphy. A pediatric nurse for the past nine years, Murphy currently works as a nurse in the recovery room at Children’s Hospital in Vancouver. She also teaches CPR to the staff at Shaughnessy, Grace, and Children’s hospitals. The staff working the recovery room receive child and infant choking victims after the fact. After the damage has been done. “What is happening is that children are coming in who have choked on peanuts and are ending up brain dead or disabled for life. It would do everyone a world of good to walk through the intensive care unit,’’ said Murphy. She recently taught CPR skills to a group of 13 people at the West Vancouver Day Care Society. She’d like to pass on the skills to more parents, grandparents, babysitters, teachers and day-care workers, but is finding a frighten- ing apathy to the need for learning the lifesaving skill. “People will buy their kids Reeboks and spend hours taking them to various events, but they won't spend a few hours to learn how to save their child’s life,"’ she said. Murphy’s four-hour class teaches the latest techniques for responding to the plight of a chok- ing child or infant and looks at the six most common causes of ac- cidental death among children along with suggested accident prevention strategies. Participants receive a Basic Cardiac Life Support (Baby Saver) certificate upon completion of the course. The cost per participant is $25. ‘*Fifty-four per cent of emergency cases involving children are caused by accidents,’’ Murphy said. ‘‘Therefore 54 per cent of emergencies are preventable."’ Murphy said a child usually chokes on food, toys with small removable parts, vinyl pieces bitten from the edges of cribs, and broken balloons. ‘‘With adults, CPR is attached to severe underlying problems like heart conditions,’’ she said. “But Wall Tile Floor Tile 8206 Ontario St. Vancouver, B.C, BURAARD Annual Summer Sale Aug. 7,8 & G only Mosaic Tile (large stock) from 30¢ per sq.ft. Marble Tiles, Vanity Tops & Tables Bath fixtures in chrome or ceramic from SOE ea. Fri. 9-9 pm, Sat, 9-5 pm, Sun. 10-5 pm EA Ped bebe yp Lp with children, it’s usually a simple obstruction. The outcome is ultimately a better one.”’ Once the skill is initially absorb- ed, Murphy advises that what is learned must be reinforced annual- ly. She said CPR techniques were radically revamped this year, simplifying the approach with a focus on one-man CPR. “arents almost have to be guilted into this. I’d like to take these skills out into the communi- ty,”’ said Murphy. For more information on ar- ranging to learn CPR contact Murphy at 926-9675. from 30¢ per sq.ft. from 75¢ per sq.ft. 325-1268 LTO. Hive cow oe eo ALM ok ak re Bre See us for good hearing aid service — sales, repairs, batteries and advice. northwestern hearing centre 1910 Lonsdale North Vancouver Open Tues.-Fri. 9:30-5 Sat. 9:30-1. Closed Mon. Ad Mh ah Op PRR MOE Pre- Ci and Opening of our = Vor o- v Richmond Spa! * CASH PRICE NEW ADULT PATRONS ONLY HURRY! “a5 MARINE -980- 56 Bh Op 2s 329, ake aK A wee 4 FACILITIES & SERVICES EXCLUSIVELY FOR WOMEN * Aerobic & No-Bounce Aerobics daily ~ * Whirlpool & Sauna * Lifecycles & Fan Bikes * Cushioned Wood Floor * Individual Lockers * Private Showers * Supervised Programs * Nutritional Guidance * and much, much more!! REGISTRATION CENTRE * | 7740 ALDERBRIDGE WAY * 276-2242 Lok A MO OM 5, 1987 - North Shore News