Although I've seen a few code blue cases, thankfully only one "assist" with CPR. I didn't do any compressions or breaths but was there if anyone got tired. I tried to get the one rescuer to tilt the airway (patient's stomach was bloating up pretty badly) The patient was quite old and had experienced multiple cardiac arrests before. He had had his sternum removed. He had the "look of death". I thought it was an exercise in futility as did the nurse who was monitoring for a pulse.

EMT's came and, like magic, they got that guy going again. Between the doctor (my dad), nurse, and me, we all called it as futile, where CPR seemed to be pumping a corpse, and BAM! the paramedics brought him back. Remarkable, really.

I believe the EMT's on how much more effective defibrillators are than CPR alone. Saw it with my own two eyes.

My ACLS has lapsed. I need to retrain and recertify.