New AHA Videos

[lawndartcatcher]

Now that they've been out for awhile, what do folks think of the new AHA BLS CPR DVDs? I'm specifically looking for some feedback / suggestions on the Healthcare Provider DVDs

I really, really liked the way the 2005 videos were set up; it made teaching CPR a lot easier (you could spend more time watching your students perform the skills and less having to explain the various steps in the process). While you can never just "turn the TV on and walk away" (that only works in parenting) the older videos did a great job of standing on their own.

The issues I have with the new videos are as follows:

1. The overall presentation of the video seems disjointed and unorganized.
2. Presentation of the individual skills, particularly during the "scenario" aren't presented as clearly as they could be
3. Frankly, the "scenario" is poorly done and doesn't really help bring all the skills together.
4. There's an awful lot of "talking head" shots; by the end of the first one most of the classes have completely lost interest.

I'm finding that I have to stop the video a lot to verify that folks have grasped the core concept(s) of the last scene, then re-start the video. At that rate, I may as well just forgo the disks.

How have other folks dealt with this? Does anyone have a good solution (use specific portions of the disk, don't use it, use it but spent a lot of time explaining the concepts, etc.)?

 

[WTEngel]

I am an instructor in BLS, ACLS, and PALS and overall my opinion of the videos is pretty high. I think they are for the most part better than the previous revision.

I don't have any issue using the BLS videos. I found them a bit disjointed at first, but now that I am used to them, the flow is very good. The only PWW video I have an issue with is the "1 Rescuer Adult BLS Practice Session" on HCP 9B. Doing individual skills like compressions or breaths with PWW is fairly easy, however having an entire demonstration to follow along with is harder. The students get very confused when they have to follow along with the "tap and shout" as opposed to just being prompted by the instructor to do so, along with the other skills. Is this the same segment you were speaking of? Other than that, I think they BLS video is spot on. The talking head segments are good, I think it is about time they start introducing the science into the BLS class. This helps a lot when they enter into ACLS.

The ACLS video is hands down better than the previous edition. I have no issue with the ACLS at all.

I have not really decided whether I like the PALS video or not. It seems like the parts of the last video series I liked, such as the case studies, they removed or altered. I though the 2005 case studies were excellent. These case studies, not so much. In fact, I am really inclined to keep the previous case studies for some additional (not instead of) training. MY one biggest complaint with the PALS videos is the "this is not how to do it" demonstrations. They model a poor method for running a code, notifying a family of the death of a child etc. I thin it is a waste of time, and I am also a fan of teaching students by consistently modeling the correct way, and never demonstrating an ineffective method. I would prefer they only modeled the correct method for performing everything. The students will make the mistakes during the hand on practice whether they are previously aware of them from the video or not.

I think overall these videos are one of the better versions they have come out with.