WHERE THE IDEA FOR CPR PROMPT BEGAN 

In the early 70's, Don Hutchins and his wife thought it would be a good idea to learn CPR, and took a course at the local community center in Massachusetts where they live. A couple weeks after the course, The Hutchins were entertaining friends at home -- when Don decided that he was going to show off his new CPR skills. Don's wife laid down on the floor to play "victim" ... but Don froze. He could not remember the steps. 

Don just could not believe that he had forgotten the steps so quickly; but, in doing research on CPR, he later found that the American Heart Association and CPR instructors have long recognized the retention problems associated with CPR learning -- and have conducted multiple studies documenting the issue. 

Don believed that he needed to do something about this -- and conceived the idea of a portable voiceprompter that could talk someone through the steps of CPR in an emergency -- to help them remember ... and feel more confident to act. From this idea, he went on to develop the first CPR Prompt. 

How real is the retention issue? The American Heart Association Emergency Cardiac Care Committee called it a "major issue" at its l992 conference -- a conclusion that was recently reconfirmed by an American Heart Association Scientific Statement. During the last 15 years, over 35 different retention studies have been conducted, showing that people tend to forget CPR learning as early as three months after training -- even among highly trained professionals -- including doctors, nurses, police officers and more. As one occupational health nurse recently said, "CPR is not like riding a bike ... if you don't use it, you lose it." 

CPR can be difficult to remember under the best of circumstances. But consider when most people are asked to recall these skills -- in an emergency situation ... that probably involves a family member. 

In this setting, it's natural for people to panic -- which can further aggravate retention issues ... and hinder their ability to act ... and act quickly. The American Heart Association and CPR instructors also have studied the role of confidence in performing CPR. It's not enough to remember the steps ... the rescuer needs to feel confident ... and be willing to ACT. 
 

Seconds count in breathing and cardiac emergencies. So how do you help overcome panic and memory issues ... and ensure that people are prepared, and feel prepared, to act quickly. The recent American Heart Association Scientific Statement highlights the roles that VOICEPROMPTER TECHNOLOGY and HOME PRACTICE products can play in helping to address these problems. 

CPR Prompt is a portable voiceprompter that talks a trained person through the steps of CPR and choking first aid ... for use in an emergency or as a convenient refresher. 

Just imagine if you could have your own CPR coach at your side in an emergency... ready to talk you through the steps ... to help you remember the procedures .. and to stay calm.  That's precisely what CPR Prompt can do -- with its calm, confident voice that provides step-by-step instructions ... first to help you assess the victim ... and then to perform the correct rescue procedure. 

CPR Prompt operates in real time -- so it not only helps to ensure that you perform the right steps ... in the right order ... but at the right pace. Its specific instructions also help ensure that steps are performed correctly -- and according to American Heart Association guidelines. For example, the results of a 1996 study -- conducted by Dr. Larry Starr, a professor at Villanova University -- which was published in the April issue of Occupational Health & Safety. 

In this study, participants were asked to demonstrate CPR skills on a training manikin about 30 days after completing a CPR class. Approximately half of the subjects were given a CPR Prompt during this drill -- while the other half had to rely only on their memory. 

Rescuers with access to CPR Prompt during the simulated emergency were 2.4 times more likely to perform all of the required steps and 4.5 times more likely to perform skills correctly .. and in accordance with American Heart Association guidelines. 

Percent of Subjects Performing CPR Skills
Item	Prompt	Control
Established unresponsivenss Called for EMS Opened the airway Checked for breathing Gave 2 slow breaths Checked for pulse Gave sets of 15 compressions and  2 ventilations	91.89 86.49 94.57 91.89 94.59 97.30 100.00	70.00 56.67 80.00 76.67 86.67 80.00 90.00
Performed all 7 CPR steps	73.00	30.00

Chart: Occupational Health & Safety, May, 1997.

Ideally, every rescuer could have access to a voiceprompter during every CPR emergency. But given that this is unlikely to happen (in the near future), it is fortunate that the American Heart Association and its CPR instructors have identified another way to help address retention problems and better prepare people for emergencies. 

The solution? PRACTICE!
Studies have shown that periodic review of CPR skills and learning can help people to better remember the steps. But until now, there has been no convenient or practical way for people, especially families, to practice CPR skills on an ongoing basis. 

This is why the American Heart Association is encouraging families (and professional responders) to use CPR Prompt products to practice and review at home. Here are just a few ways to use the CPR Prompt Rescue and Practice Aid to help maintain your valuable skills. 

• LISTEN TO CPR PROMPT. CPR Prompt comes with a handy wall-mount bracket so you and your family can place it in a visible location (ideally next to the family telephone). Periodically listen to CPR Prompt to help refresh knowledge -- even while working around the home or anytime convenient for you. 
• LISTEN TO THE CPR PROMPT AND READ. CPR Prompt comes with a Refresher booklet -- that provides visual aids that follow-along with the audible prompts. Listen to CPR Prompt and follow along using the book -- to help illustrate some of the specific prompts provided. 
• PRACTICE CPR SKILLS WITH CPR PROMPT AND A MANIKIN. Many CPR instructors currently drill their students using CPR Prompt and manikins. It is possibly the best way to maintain important skills! Practice CPR skills using the CPR Prompt and a training manikin (such as the one included in the CPR Prompt Home Learning System). 

PRACTICE EVERY 45 DAYS 

No matter how you and your family choose to review your CPR skills and knowledge, take time to practice once every 45 days. 

The CPR Prompt Home Learning System is also an excellent way to practice and review CPR skills and learning. 

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CPR Prompt® is a registered Trademark of County Line Limited, L.L.C.
CPR Prompt® Rescue and Practice Aid is covered by the following patents: USA Re. 34,800/Canada 1239368/Europe 0183462