CPR Trainer, a browser CPR practice game for rhythm, recoil and the first decisions, in an early version
CPR Trainer is a practice game for the first minutes of a cardiac arrest. An early version can be played on this page; it trains the rhythm of compressions and a few first decisions, and it does not replace a class.
Updated
Early version. A short guided warm-up shows the beat first. Hold the space bar, the mouse button or the screen to press, and let go fully after each press.
What CPR Trainer practices
CPR Trainer is a browser game built for this site. Its practice centers on four things: a steady compression rhythm, full recoil, not stopping, and a handful of early decisions. An early version can be played on this page. It is a test build, so its look and its scenes can still change.
The skills in the game
- Compression rhythm: keeping a steady beat for as long as the round lasts.
- Full recoil: letting go completely between compressions, the way the chest comes all the way back up.
- Not stopping: keeping the compressions going while the decisions come up.
- A few decisions: calling 911, sending for an AED and using it when it arrives.
The numbers behind the rhythm
The pace in the game follows MedlinePlus, the consumer health service of the US National Library of Medicine. Its adult CPR page gives 100 to 120 compressions per minute, about 2 inches (5 centimeters) deep, with the chest rising completely after each compression and no pausing. A round lasts about two minutes, the interval after which MedlinePlus says two or more rescuers should switch compressors to prevent fatigue.
The round is compressions only. A National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute page for bystanders says to start CPR right away and that it is not necessary to breathe into the person's mouth.
Practice, not a course
CPR Trainer is a rehearsal tool. It does not teach hand placement on a real chest, it does not replace an instructor, and finishing it gives no certificate or certification.
A class teaches hand placement and lets a learner practice depth and rate on a manikin, which a key or a touch screen cannot measure.
Free games from other makers that can be played today are collected on the CPR games page, with the status of each one. Lifesaver is the best known.
Where to find in-person CPR training
The American Red Cross lists CPR classes in online, blended and classroom formats and offers a search by city or ZIP code. According to the Red Cross, self-paced online learning does not include a demonstration of skill proficiency, which the blended and classroom formats do. A class near you is the place for hands-on practice on a manikin and for any certification a workplace requires.
Questions about CPR Trainer
Can CPR Trainer be played now?
Yes. An early version can be played on this page with the space bar, the mouse or a touch screen. It is a test build. The CPR games page lists practice games from other makers that can be played as well.
What compression rate does the game ask for?
100 to 120 compressions per minute, the range MedlinePlus gives for adult CPR. MedlinePlus puts the depth at about 2 inches (5 centimeters), which only a manikin can check.
Does CPR Trainer give a CPR certificate?
No. It is practice only. Certification comes from a class with an instructor, and the Red Cross page lists the formats offered.
What number does the game tell players to call?
911. The game is written for players in the United States, so the call-for-help step uses 911.