On the TV show "The Office", the main character, Michael Scott is performing first aid techniques when the office suddenly breaks in to 'Staying Alive' by The Bee Gees. Other hijinks happen by Dwight. A lot of my peers always refer to this episode when I teach them CPR and many internet memes based on other media have been inspired by it.
Today I want to share some of my favorite CPR memes inspired by pop culture and comment on each one.
The Office
This meme is from the United States television version of The Office which I was mentioning before. One of the characters, Dwight, has cut off the face of the CPR manikin and is using it as a "face mask transplant".
When giving CPR, the rescuer should use a face shield with a one way valve or a pocket mask to prevent diseases transmission when giving the two rescue breaths. Two rescue breaths are delivered after the 30 chest compressions to a victim experiencing cardiac arrest.
Star Wars
When giving chest compressions on adults, children or infants, experiencing cardiac arrest, the rate delivered should be between 100-120 beats per minute. The Imperial March by John Williams, introduced in the the movie Empire Strikes Back, rhythm is between 100-120 beats per minute.
Most AEDs will give a beep at the appropriate rate to help rescuers compress at the correct rate. Otherwise a rescuer can count out loud for each compression given then use the word "and" in between each number between 1 and 11. When the rescuer reaches the 12th compression just count consecutively up to the 30th compression. This will help the rescuer achieve that 100-120 compressions per minute. EXAMPLE: 1 and 2 and 3 and 4 and 5 and 6 and 7 and 8 and 9 and 10 and 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22 ,23 ,24 ,25 ,26 ,27 ,28 ,29 ,30
Lord of The Rings
CPR Classes these days, such as ones we offer in Illinois, have a blended learning option. In blended learning classes participants take an online course before attending the in-person training session to test their skills. Some participants forget to take the online class or don't complete it for a variety of reasons. When those participants show up to the in-person part of the training they are not able to attended the in-person session. That person will be forced to reschedule and pay a reschedule fee.
Red Cross Blended Learning Courses DobroSKILLS offers:
Austin Powers
In this meme inspired by the character Dr. Evil from the Austin Powers movie trilogy, he is explaining that not all employers accept an "online only" CPR course. The meme is referring to courses with no instructor to test a participants' skills. It is most likely an employer will not accept that completed certificate. An example of an "online only" CPR Course can be found here on the Red Cross website.
Some CPR Instructors offer CPR classes over video conferencing software such as Google Meet, Zoom, and Microsoft Teams. CPR Instructors will send participants CPR manikins and AED trainers to test skills over the internet. The Red Cross has developed classes in collaboration with OSHA so those "online only" CPR Courses with instructors can be accepted by most employers.
Chuck Norris
Chuck Norris is a famous 80's action martial artist actor and many memes have been associated with Chuck's fabled abilities. This meme is claiming that Chuck Norris CPR skills he learned in a CPR Class brought this manikin back to life. In real life for a victim experiencing cardiac arrest, proper CPR in combination with use of an AED and getting EMS to arrive ASAP will greatly improve the victim's chance of survival.