The self-CPR email

Have you ever been forwarded this one? I have gotten it a few times. The email professes to show you how to do 'self CPR' by coughing vigorously. My big problem with it is that it is an email trying to promote a life-saving technique that may or may not work, as researched by snopes.com. My great big problem with it, however is, that is starts out by saying "It's 5:30 and you're driving home from work. Suddenly you feel pain in your chest and know you're having a heart attack. You know the hospital is only 5 miles away. Should you wait for an ambulance to get you there safely? NO - here's how you can 'do-it-yourself." The email then goes in to 'instructions' on how to do the 'cough CPR'. Well, here's what I think, the answer I gave to the most recent person who sent it to me:
I will add my 2 cents to this, pass along if you see fit:
As someone who has been an EMT for about 30 years now, and who has a CPR save to their credit (as well as many more that did not save), I have a big problem with this. If ever the people who started this rot can be found, I wish there were some criminal charges that could be brought against them, for perhaps contributing to the further medical problems or even death of someone trying this on their own.
As it states in the article, this is a complex procedure that might work, if done correctly, under supervision or specialized training. Do you not think that maybe if it was a universally saving procedure, that when we train for or recertify our CPR cards, we'd be taught it? Never heard of it except on these bogus internet postings. Even under the best of conditions, the constantly being upgraded CPR methods we are taught (that anyone can and should learn, btw) are marginal at best. I was lucky enough to save one person, because he was already in the ambulance, already receiving oxygen and already under the care of two EMT's when he arrested. And the key word there is lucky. One in 30 years. Don't get me wrong, CPR and the now readily accessible in many places defibrillators are livesavers, but facts are facts, everything has to be just right for them to work. That's not usually the case.
Also, this article advocates someone who thinks they are having a heart attack while they are 'driving home from work' to keep driving themself to the hospital. WHAT ARE YOU THINKING!?!?!?!? Do you have any idea of the number of accidents that are caused by people having a medical emergency while they are driving? Well, I don't know numbers either, but it is a lot. By continuing to drive, even the '5 miles to the nearest hospital' claimed in this story, you put not only yourself at risk if you pass out behind the wheel and hit a tree, but all the other innocent people on the road (add sidewalks, etc.) around you. People die daily from incidents such as this.
If you feel ill at all while driving PULL OVER AND STOP THE CAR. Call 911. Wait for help. Try to relax, keep still, take slow deep breaths.
Don't do something that puts others as well as yourself at risk. It's a lot easier to take care of you if we don't have to cut you out of the car first.
CRS224