Please Help CPR question

[momtofourboys]

okay some of you know that I have a 4 year old with some cardiac issues and that he is going for an electrophysiology study. the cardiologist said to make sure we were all trained in CPR which we are. however the question that I have is Chris  has a pectus ex. does anyone know if you can do normal depth compression on a person with a "mild pectus or if you need to not go down as far. I know the heart itself is not located in the center of the chest, however there are other things there that I am afraid that God forbid, we need to do it on him, that I could cause more harm then not. his picture shows his pectus, but it might have gotten just a tad bit worse of that year.  I am waiting for his cardilogist to call back since I have so many questions. but I guess we just like to play phone tag
thank yo in advance
Michelle

[momtofourboys]

actually my certificate(AED) just expired from being certified in 2006. I know htey have changed and I want my two oldest boys to get trained also. my best friend(of33 years) is a CPR instructor she will be coming out here next week.
his cardilogist finally was able to connect with me and said he would be fine to do the normal compressions.
I am praying that he doesn't need to have it surgically fixed, althought it looks like it is getting a tad worse, from what I understand the repair is not fun.
thanks for your help
michelle

[ireneo]

And how long has it been since you've taken a CPR class? Things have changed like # of compressions per breath. And now there's the breathless CPR method. If it's been awhile, you might want to take a refresher course. Red Cross offers it (that's where I took mine) and that would be a good place to ask about the pectus ex.  My husband has that, pretty severe so it interferes with some things. But he's not keen on having it corrected.

[Momto3]

Hi Michelle,

I've taken several CPR courses and I've never heard to use a different technique in someone with pectus excavatum.   I have seen CPR performed and I did not hear anyone ask -- they just started the breathing and compressions.