A Tribute to Nurses

By Laura Crider

nursing

At In-Pulse CPR, we don’t believe that you have to scale tall buildings or defeat scary villains to be a hero. Instead, we know that some of the greatest heroes live and work right here among us. Unfortunately, many of those heroes never get the honor that they are due. We want to break this cycle by taking a few minutes to show our genuine appreciation for some of today’s most important heroes: nurses.

 

The Scope of Nursing

Nurses deserve appreciation because they are the backbone of the healthcare system in the United States. As of 2016, there are more than 3 million registered nurses across the nation, making nursing is the nation’s largest health care profession. Whether you visit a doctor’s office, need long-term care, or get admitted to the hospital, a nurse will be there to assist you. Nurses are the primary providers of hospital patient care, and they also deliver most of our country’s long-term care.

You might be surprised to find out that there are nearly four times as many RNs in the United States as physicians! Nurses deliver a diverse range of health care services, including primary and preventive care in pediatrics, women’s health, and elderly care. Many nurses continue their education by becoming  certified nurse-midwives or certified registered nurse anesthetists.

 

The Cost of Caring

Although nursing is a noble profession, it is certainly not the easiest field of service. According to a survey conducted by the American Nurses Association, more than 75 percent of nurses state that they are concerned about their health because of the effects of stress and overwork. These problems are exacerbated by a national nursing shortage. In many areas, there simply are not enough nurses to care for patients, resulting in long schedules and exhausting work conditions.

 

According to Gallup polls, Americans rate nurses above all other professions when it comes to honesty and ethics. Nurses have received this honor for 14 years in a row. Nurses do so much more than drawing blood, administering medications or cleaning wounds. They educate and mentor new nurses, support patients and their family members emotionally, keep patients as comfortable as possible, and explain complicated medical concepts in a clear, understandable manner.

 

Making a Difference

Nursing is often known as a thankless job, but it does not have to stay that way. We each have the power the make a difference when it comes to helping nurses feel valued and appreciated. The next time you receive care from a nurse, take a second to say a genuine, “Thank you.” When you think of a nurse who has provided exceptional care, write a note commending her performance, and send it to her and to the healthcare organization she works for.

 

Nursing is vital,  but you don’t have to earn a nursing degree to have the power to potentially save a life. Contact our team at In-Pulse CPR to find out how you can become certified in CPR and basic first aid. When we all work together, we can create a healthier, safer world.

AHA Key point 2015 – Hands Only CPR

 

By Peter J Klotunowitch

The American Heart Association (AHA) gave a “Call to Action” for bystander witnessed an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest of probable cardiac origin. The national news media picked this up and announced to the public that the new AHA recommendation is to do compression only Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation. From the number of posted questions I’ve seen on-line there seems to be a lot of confusion.

This call to action for bystander does NOT apply to unwitnessed cardiac arrest, cardiac arrest in infants, children, or cardiac arrest presumed to be of non-cardiac origin, such as drowning, trauma, airway obstruction, acute respiratory disease and apnea (such as associated with drug overdose).

If this clarification begins to sound a bit confusing, let me try to simplify it a bit. The new recommendation seems to be directed towards the non-trained rescuer. The idea of having more people getting involved, in providing care, would lead to more successful resuscitation. Many people may be reluctant to get involved due to fear of contracting a disease (through mouth to mouth breaths) or being unable to provide proper CPR skills. The new guidelines are as follows:

* If a bystander is not trained in CPR, then the bystander should provide hands-only (compression) CPR, pushing in the middle of the chest hard and fast until an AED arrives or emergency personnel take over the care of the victim.

* If a bystander was previously trained in CPR skills and is confident in his/hers ability to provide rescue breaths with minimal interruptions in chest compressions, then the bystander should provide conventional CPR using the 30:2 compression to ventilation ratio.

* If a bystander was previously trained in CPR skills and is NOT confident in his/hers ability to provide conventional CPR, then the bystander should provide hands-only (compression) CPR, pushing in the middle of the chest hard and fast until an AED arrives or emergency personnel take over the care of the victim.

If you know your skills and are confident in performing them, the best care for the victim is still CPR with compressions and rescue ventilations. On the other hand if you are reluctant or have not had proper CPR training, then beginning chest compressions alone without rescue ventilations is beneficial to the victim and should be start immediately and only discontinued when someone with a higher skill or emergency personal arrive.

Miami Dade Schools adding CPR as part of their curriculum

In a forward-thinking and health-minded ddade-schoolecision, the school board of Miami-Dade county has become the first in the state to elect to educate students in Hands-Only CardioPulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) as part of their Physical Fitness curriculum. While Florida is not one of the country’s 34 states that require that students be taught CPR in schools, the American Heart Association is hopeful that Florida’s largest district will set a precedent and lead the way for other counties to follow suit. Teaching CPR in school is an easy, convenient way to educate generation after generation of potential life savers.

Statistically, when applied straight away, CPR can triple the survival rate of someone who has suffered from cardiac arrest. A population with proper training can provide significant support for a person who’s life may hang in the balance as they wait for emergency responders to arrive.

This summer in Winter Haven, FL, nine year old Thomas Ingram, Jr. was pulled from the bottom of a swimming pool by his friend, ten year old Larry Wagner. After getting the attention of a family friend and another man, CPR was finally administered to Ingram by a third adult, a property security guard, and he survived what could have very well been death by drowning.

Thankfully, that scenario had a happy resolution. However, imagine a situation in which the property’s security guard was not present. Larry Wagner was able to pull his friend out of the swimming pool, but then what? Not one, but two adults responded to his cries for help and yet neither acted in a manner that could effectively save Ingram’s life. The story could have had a very different and tragic ending were it not for the security guard’s education and quick actions.

Now imagine a scenario where not only the two adults present had adequate CPR training but perhaps even young Wagner himself.

The first line of defense against death by cardiac arrest is not millions of dollars of cutting edge medical equipment, but the intellectual understanding of a very simple and effective life saving technique. Neglecting to teach young students CPR is neglecting the possibility that any one of them could at some time in their lives find themselves tragically unable to assist a loved one in dire need. It also neglects the fact that any one of us could just as well suffer from cardiac arrest and become completely dependent on those around us to come to our rescue.

The Miami-Dade board’s decision is to be applauded and emulated as it will surely have a life-saving effect on the future of its student body and their associates.

Don’t get more than you asked for during the Holidays

The Holidays are, of course, a great time to reconnect with friends and family. Smiles and stories are shared as we all take a break from the grind of our busy lives. However, it’s not uncommon to also share germs during the flu season, and people tend to gain weight as the weather gets cooler and the food becomes more indulgent! Here are some tips to help you stay happy and healthy during your holiday travel and visits:

holiday-blues

– Carry disinfectant wipes with you. Bus rails, arm rests, airport chairs… all of these surfaces are germ magnets. Wipe down any surfaces that you might find yourself coming in contact with as you traverse bustling public areas during the holiday traveling season.

 

– Use hand sanitizer. As an additional defense against surface-borne bacteria and viruses, use hand sanitizer to help keep your hands germ free when a proper hand wash can’t take place.

 

– Don’t skip the treats, but don’t over indulge either. If you are going to be around a lot of tempting desserts and junk food, try chewing some gum. Not only does it “trick” your brain into thinking you are eating, but grandma’s peanut butter cookies will probably be a lot less tempting with a mouthful of spearmint gum.

 

– Get a flu shot! Sure, they aren’t always 100% effective, but it’s certainly better than nothing. The very young and very old are the most susceptible to the flu’s worst symptoms, but weeks of illness aren’t likely to fit into even the healthiest person’s schedule.

 

– Rest! If you find yourself under the weather, get as much rest as possible. The extra time off from work that the holidays bring is a great opportunity to try to catch up on sleep and hibernate for a while. Your body will thank you.

 

– Drink plenty of water and moisturize. As the weather cools down and the days get shorter, it’s easy to forget to stay hydrated. However, drinking plenty of fluids is not a rule that just has to be followed in the summer. Dry sinuses are a goldmine for the common cold, and dry, rough skin on your hands provides more surface area for bacteria and viruses to cling and find their way to your face. Put a bottle of lotion next to your sink to remind yourself to lather it on after your wash your hands.

 

– Don’t forget others! The holidays can be a very difficult time for those suffering from depression or in the wake of a family loss. Take the time to give not only gifts this year, but also your time and attention to people you know who might be having a hard time emotionally. Is there an extra spot at your holiday table?

2015 American Heart Association CPR Guideline Updates

At In-Pulse CPR, we want to give our students every advantage when it comes to potentially life-saving CPR training. This includes staying informed about the latest advancements and newest technologies.

In October 2015, the American Heart Association released its latest guideline updates. Although all of the guideline changes are included the organization’s official publication, Circulation: Journal of the American Heart Association, here are some of the most important CPR recommendations.

aha

Guideline Updates for Bystanders

Even if a person has no CPR training, he can still perform a useful service to someone who has experienced a cardiac arrest. First, he should call 911. This call should be made using the speaker function so that the dispatcher can get the precise location and instruct the caller on how to check for breathing and start CPR.

Next, even the untrained bystander can administer CPR without breaths, also known as Hands-Only CPR. This is performed by pushing hard and fast in the center of the patient’s chest. 100-120 compressions per minute is the optimal rate.

However, a bystander who has completed CPR training can take this one step further. After calling 911, he can perform chest compressions along with breaths according to CPR guidelines. The ideal compressions to breaths ratio is 30:2.

Guideline Updates for Dispatchers

In today’s age of advanced technology, communities should consider investing in mobile dispatch systems. The system works by alerting trained personnel when a presumed cardiac arrest occurs near them, improving the rate of bystander CPR and potentially increasing the survival rate. When the time to first chest compressions is shortened, outcomes are better.

Dispatchers also need to be trained to assist bystanders in recognizing cardiac arrest and checking for breathing. It’s important for dispatchers to be aware that a brief generalized seizure can be an early sign of cardiac arrest.

heart health

Guideline Updates for Healthcare Professionals

Since more than 200,000 cardiac arrests occur within a hospital in the United States every year, healthcare organizations need to keep investing in training to ensure that their employees can provide the best possible emergency cardiovascular care. Studies have shown that resuscitation skills can decline within just a few months after training, which is a much shorter time frame than the required 2-year re-certification.

Thanks to new data that shows an excessive compression rate and depth is less effective, the American Heart Association added upper limits to its recommended compression depth and heart rate. Compressions should be performed at a depth of at least 2 inches, but no more than 2.4 inches. Chest compressions should be administered at a rate of 100 to 120 per minute.

Since the time to first chest compression is so vital, healthcare professionals are encouraged to perform multiple steps at the same time when possible. For instance, checking for pulse and breathing at the same time can save valuable seconds.

The American Heart Association’s guidelines have been in place for more than 50 years, and millions of people have used them to learn CPR and understand how to respond in an emergency. Updates are based on peer-reviewed studies and publications from top researchers around the world. You can trust In-Pulse CPR to deliver thorough, professional training according to the most recent AHA guidelines.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sources:

https://newsroom.heart.org/news/american-heart-association-cpr-guidelines:-quick-action-more-teamwork-key-to-saving-more-lives

 

2015 CPR Guidelines Basics

Sudden Cardiac Arrest Victim Gets Assist from Technology

For Kory Trebbin, attending church on a Sunday morning in May, there was little warning that this day would differ from other Sundays. But, before it was over, the 53-year old Santa Clara resident would experience sudden cardiac arrest, lose his heartbeat for a full 18 minutes, and have his life saved by an off-duty ER physician who answered an alert from a mobile app in her phone.

pulsepointOn seeing that Trebbin was unresponsive and had no pulse, witnesses dialed 9-1-1, summoning professional first responders. Simultaneously, a nearby off-duty ER physician was alerted via her Smart Phone of this emergency just blocks from her home. Arriving before the first responders, she performed CPR on Trebbin until police arrived with an Automated External Defibrillator, or AED, which she used to re-establish productive heart rhythm.  She then accompanied Trebbin via ambulance to the nearest hospital, which happened to be the hospital at which she worked.

The app which alerted her, PulsePoint, is designed to strengthen the “chain of survival” by alerting nearby CPR-trained citizens to sudden cardiac arrests in the area, thus increasing the odds that lifesaving measures can be taken even before the arrival of Emergency Medical Services personnel.

Sudden cardiac arrest, which involves a malfunctioning of the heart’s electrical system, is often fatal, especially without medical intervention. In fact, after 10 minutes without resuscitation, there is little chance the victim will survive. So it’s not surprising that out-of-hospital SCAs are a leading cause of death in America, claiming the lives of 420,000 – close to half a million – people each year. The American Heart Association reports that prompt bystander assistance – early CPR and the administration of a therapeutic shock from a defibrillator, when indicated — can double and even triple chances of survival, and help reduce this grim statistic. LA-based cardiologist Dr. Leslie Saxon agrees on the need for bystander intervention, stating “It’s going to take a community to impact the dismal survival rates for out-of-hospital cardiac arrest patients.”

Trebbin, who suffered no cognitive damage in spite of having no heartbeat for 18 minutes, called his survival a “miracle” and credited the 911 callers, the first responders, and the existence of the mobile app. “PulsePoint connected me with someone who could, and did, save my life,” Trebbin said.

Joe Farrell’s Sudden Cardiac Arrest Survival Story: CPR Saved His Life And Someone Else’s

In the moment when sudden cardiac arrests strikes, a split second decision to get down on your hands and knees to perform CPR may be just the ticket to save the victim’s life. In fact, studies and medical research reveals that individuals who receive CPR within two minutes of a cardiac arrest are less likely to suffer brain damage.

Joe Farrell is a cardiac arrest survival victim who knows firsthand – on two different accounts – how CPR can save a life. In August of 2008, Joe had just arrived at a professional friend’s house around 2 p.m. He and his wife were attending a memorial dinner on behalf of their friend’s husband who had recently passed away. According to Farrell’s wife, he was speaking to a few friends and a local track coach when he suddenly collapsed. Unconscious and not breathing, the track coach immediately started to perform CPR on Farrell while someone else contacted paramedics. It took paramedics between 5 and 6 minutes to arrive on the scene. When they arrived, they shocked him four times to bring back his cardiac rhythm.

What is so unique about Joe’s cardiac arrest survival story is that just one year prior in August of 2007, when he was 55-years-old, he saved a man’s life by performing CPR on him. He was on a golf course in Nevada when he stumbled upon the man – who was unconscious and not breathing when he found him. Farrell performed CPR while a second golfer contacted paramedics. According to Joe, time appeared to move in slow motion as it took paramedics what seemed like forever to arrive. The victim was transferred to a hospital via helicopter and also survived the cardiac arrest. To this day, he and Joe are good friends.

Joe Farrell believes he is lucky to have known how to perform CPR and is even more lucky to have been in the presence of someone who knew CPR as well. Had CPR not been immediately performed on himself and the man he found unconscious on the golf course in Nevada one year prior to his own cardiac arrest, he doesn’t know if he or the other man would still be alive today.

Rescue Breathing? CPR? I’m confused!!!

I have heard people talk about giving/not giving breaths with CPR and also about “rescue breathing”. I am confused…What is the difference? How do I know what to do?  These are questions often asked at a CPR class, and I would like to clarify it for you.  Maybe even give a SIMPLE answer to take away your fears.

CPR with/without giving breaths is used when the victim is Unresponsive, Not breathing , and has no pulse.  Chest compressions are done and breaths (if given) alternate ..30 compressions then 2 breaths

Rescue breathing is used when an adult, child or infant has a pulse but is not breathing effectively. Rescuers would NOT be doing chest compressions.  For an adult, you would provide one breath every 5 to 6 seconds (a good hearty breath. Watch for the chest to start to rise). For a child, one breath every 3 to 5 seconds (lighter breath…just enough to see the chest START to rise) For an infant, one breath every 3 to 5 seconds (just a puff from your cheeks. Be sure that you are just providing a puff, as an infant’s lungs are very small. Watch for the chest to START to rise and stop)

Did you notice a common number in these rescue breaths?  The number is 5 seconds.  So if you remember the number 5, you can safely provide rescue breaths for an adult, child or infant by providing one SAFE breath every 5 seconds.  IF AN INFANT’S PULSE GOES TO 60 OR LESS, YOU WILL NEED TO SWITCH TO CPR.

Featured Blog Topics

Looking for a CPR class?

American Heart Association classes available

The Life-Saving Importance of AEDs in the Workplace

aed sign 1

If you work a standard 40+ hour week, you likely spend more of your waking hours at your workplace than you do at home. Your job gives you a way to provide for your family, and you develop close relationships with your co-workers and customers over time. At In-Pulse CPR, we are committed to empowering clients and reducing preventable fatalities. That is one of the reasons why we believe automated external defibrillators, or AEDs, should be present in as many workplaces as possible.

 

What Are AEDs?

Before we explain why an AED would benefit your workplace, it’s important to understand what an AED actually is. An automated external defibrillator is a portable medical device that has the capability to check the heart’s current rhythm and send an electric shock to the heart if necessary. The purpose of the shock is to restore a healthy rhythm to the heart.

Zoll with Cabinet

AEDs are proven to improve survival rates in patients that experience sudden cardiac arrest. Although these important machines are powerful, they are also lightweight, battery-operated, and very simple to use.

 

AED Statistics

The damage caused by a heart attack can onset after as little as three minutes, decreasing the likelihood of survival by as much as 10% for every minute past three. This includes irreversible brain damage and even death. This statistics are sobering, but how likely is it that a person experiencing cardiac arrest would benefit from emergency care from a colleague? Research shows that this is more common than you might think.

 

The average response time for EMS services is about 10-15 minutes, which is long enough to reduce the chance of survival to under 30%. Conversely, studies have shown that a sixth grade student, when properly trained, can operate an AED efficiently in under 90 seconds. These precious minutes can make a world of difference to a person in cardiac arrest and help bridge the treatment gap between incident and professional care.

 

Workplace Safety

If you feel intimidated by the thought of using an AED to shock another person, you are not alone. This is one of the reasons why knowledge is power. AEDs are designed for use by a layperson and require minimal training. These devices usually contain spoken prompts for use, guiding the user step by step through the process. Some models contain an “event memory” which records important information and ECG data that the emergency team can use to understand what treatment the patient has received. These advantages, when coupled with the professional care from an EMS team, can mean the difference between life and death.

 

If there is already an AED present in your workplace, it’s vital that all of your staff members know where it is located and how to use it. All CPR classes taught by In-Pulse CPR professionals include an AED component. Although the devices themselves are not difficult to use, completing training and having the chance to get answers to your questions helps you react with confidence when you have the opportunity to help a colleague or customer at your workplace.

 

Why not schedule a CPR and AED training course at your office today?

Avoiding Injury: Aging Adults

For many of us, getting older means a reduction in physical activity. The less activity we get, the more our muscles atrophy (weaken, deteriorate) and the more deconditioned our cardiovascular system becomes. Not getting any exercise can make it very easy to get injured doing routine tasks like bending over to tie your shoes. Recovering from injury also takes longer as we age.

elderly

Bottom line

:  Being out of shape can result in poor health and injury. Poor health and injury can lead to more doctor visits, more hospitalizations and more medications to treat related illnesses and injuries.

 

Have hope – a silver lining can be found in this dark cloud! There are a number of things you can do to avoid injuries that won’t require a large financial investment like a gym membership, special equipment or a trainer. The internet is chocked full of resources that can help educate yourself on health, fitness, nutrition and preventing injury. Who knows – you may find activities that you really enjoy doing and it won’t even seem like exercise!

For those looking to start exercising, gentle stretching and walking are two free and easy activities that can help condition your body to prevent injury.  You can do both of these activities almost anywhere and at any time! Your doctor may be able to provide you with stretching instructions if you’re unable to access the internet.

 

If you want something a little more intense, look into individual or team sports such as golf, tennis, softball or volleyball.  Or try more rigorous cardiovascular activities like jogging, elliptical training, etc. Strength training is a great way of keeping your muscles, tendons, ligaments and bones conditioned.

 

Exercise may provide the following benefits:

  • Maintain or lose weight
  • Reduce the impact of illness and chronic disease
  • Enhance mobility, flexibility, and balance
  • Reduce blood pressure and stress

 

Being sedentary and getting no exercise is more risky than becoming active. The pros outweigh the cons by a substantial amount. You don’t need to run a marathon or lift heavy weights to get in shape. There are plenty of low impact activities that will provide adequate conditioning and reduce your chances of injury. When starting any new exercise program, always consider consulting your doctor beforehand. Get moving!

Why not a CPR class for your employees?

cpr class for office employees

Have you ever thought about CPR training for you and your employees? While some fields of work require all employees to be certified, any business can benefit from having CPR-certified staff on hand. Studies have shown that time is of the essence when someone has a heart attack. When you call 911, the national average response time for paramedics is 8 to 12 minutes. Unfortunately, within 4 to 6 minutes, brain damage begins, and after 10 minutes, it becomes a certainty. However, with proper application of CPR, brain damage can be prevented. This is because blood is kept circulating to the brain, providing it with oxygenated blood. This means CPR should be started as soon as possible.

How Difficult is a CPR Class?

You might think that learning to save someone’s life like this is complicated and takes years of study. After all, doctors go to school for years before they’re allowed to practice on their own. CPR, however, is the easiest medical training class you’ll ever go through. In fact, most trainings take less than four hours to be certified.

When you’re looking for a CPR class, you want to be sure of some basic things, however. First, make sure that you’re going to be tested on the material that you learn. This ensures that you understand the techniques involved and allows you to make mistakes on a CPR dummy rather than a live person. You also want to be sure that there will be enough CPR dummies on hand for everyone in your class to participate on. Check to be sure that your instructors are certified and look for recommendations and reviews on the organization that will be teaching you.

What CPR Class Do You Need?

There are usually two tiers of CPR classes taught. Basic CPR for Adults, and BLS (Basic Life Support) CPR for Healthcare Workers. Basic CPR classes should cover how to assist someone who is choking and how to perform CPR on someone who has had a heart attack. You will also get training on how to use an AED (Automated External Defibrillator), which can increase a person’s chance of survival greatly when properly used. Additionally, basic classes should also teach you how to perform CPR and choking assistance on children and infants.

BLS courses are much more in-depth and provide a two-year certification for health care professionals. These include all of the instruction that you receive during a basic course, but also provide training on 2-person rescues as well as a comprehensive written exam. While this course is designed for people who work in health care, such as dentists, dental assistants, nurses, and doctors, anyone can take this course for this level of certification.

CPR training is important for everyone to know, whether you’re a health care professional or not. You never know when an emergency will strike and need you to step in to provide CPR or choking assistance. With proper training and certification, you can have the confidence and know-how necessary to help save a life. If you’re located in Florida, Minnesota, or Pennsylvania, we at In-Pulse CPR are ready to help you take that step with AHA-certified instructors and convenient locations.

Request information and pricing on a CPR class today for your staff

Minnesota Community Strives for Heart Safety

By Laura Crider

Sadly, almost everyone knows someone who has experienced a cardiac arrest. The next victim could be your co-worker, your neighbor, or a random stranger you pass on the street. In the state of Minnesota, cardiovascular events are currently the second leading cause of death, making them responsible for nearly 20 percent of in-state deaths. These statistics are sobering, but one small Minnesota city is taking impressive steps to tackle the problem head-on.

 

Heart Safe Communities

mounds-view

Mounds View, Minnesota, is a popular suburb in the Twin Cities metro area. More than 13,000 residents call Mounds View home, and the locale was named as an official Heart Safe Community in September 2016. Community leaders chose to participate in this initiative because it empowers members of the community through training and education.

 

Heart Safe Communities are the brainchild of Allina Health in partnership with the American Heart Association and the Minnesota Department of Health. The main goal of each Heart Safe Community

is preventing deaths due to sudden cardiac arrest. There are several strategies used to accomplish this goal including:

  • Increasing community cardiac arrest awareness
  • Placing automated external defibrillators, or AEDs, in busy public areas
  • Providing CPR education and training to members of the community

 

An Urgent Need

When a person’s heart stops suddenly as a result of cardiac arrest, immediate action is needed. The minutes between when first responders are called and when they arrive are vital. Survival is not likely unless action is taken right away, and death can occur within minutes after the heart stops.

 

Most people want to be able to help in an emergency, but they don’t want to do anything wrong or they are just not quite sure how to proceed. That’s one of the reasons why CPR and AED training is so important. Some people feel wary about mouth-to-mouth resuscitation, so the Heart Safe program focuses on hands-only CPR. Studies conducted by the Journal of the American Medical Association have shown that bystanders are more likely to perform this type of CPR, and chest compressions perform the important task of trying to restore blood flow to the body.

 

Public access to AEDs is another important part of this program. Since it received its Heart Safe designation, Mounds View now has an AED in every school. AEDs are also present in City Hall and other government facilities. The Heart Safe team continues to work to encourage more Mounds View businesses to have AEDs available to the public.

 

As a result of the Mounds View Heart Safe movement, other nearby communities are joining the cause, too. Anoka County and Blaine are just two of the locations that are working toward their Heart Safe Community designation. When communities band together for awareness and training, lives can be saved.

 

Taking the Next Steps

At In-Pulse CPR, we know that knowledge is power. Whether you live in Mounds View, Minnesota, or another part of the state, you have the power to potentially save a life. Check out /Minnesota  to find a convenient class in your area.

 

New AHA CPR Recommendations

By Peter J Klotunowitch

A leading cause of death in the United States, cardiac arrest is caused when the heart suddenly stops, usually due to an electrical malfunction in the heart that causes an irregular heartbeat and disrupts blood flow through the body. Survival depends on immediate CPR and other actions starting with bystanders.

American Heart Association CPR Guidelines: quick action, more teamwork key to saving more lives

According to the American Heart Association’s 2015 Guidelines Update for Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and Emergency Cardiovascular Care (ECC), People should continue to jump in quickly to give CPR, using breaths if they’ve been trained in CPR and employing mobile technology to speed up the rescue of cardiac arrest victims.

“Everyone has a role to play in the chain of survival – from bystanders to dispatchers, emergency responders to healthcare providers,” said Dr. Mark A. Creager, president of the American Heart Association and professor of medicine at Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth and director of the Heart and Vascular Center at the Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon, NH. “When everyone knows their role, knows CPR and works together, we can dramatically improve cardiac arrest victims’ chances of survival.”

The AHA guidelines, which are based off the latest resuscitation research, have been published since 1966 to provide science-based recommendations for treating cardiovascular emergencies – particularly cardiac arrest in adults, children, infants and newborns. This 2015 update confirms known CPR recommendations with several quality enhancements to help save even more lives, including a range for the rate and depth of chest compressions during CPR. The last update to the guidelines was in 2010.

Key points from the 2015 Guidelines Update provides bystanders, dispatchers and communities with practical guidance to improve the effectiveness of their teamwork:

Untrained bystanders should still call 911 and provide Hands-Only CPR, or CPR without breaths, pushing hard and fast in the center of the chest to the rate of 100-120 compressions per minute. However, if the bystander is trained in CPR and can perform breaths, he or she should add breaths in a 30:2 compressions-to-breaths ratio.

Bystanders should use mobile phones to immediately call 911 and the phones on speaker, so the dispatcher can help bystanders check the victim’s breath, get the precise location for EMS and provide instructions for performing CPR.

Community Dispatchers should be trained to help bystanders check for breathing and recognize cardiac arrest. Dispatchers should also be aware that brief generalized seizures may be an early sign of cardiac arrest.

Improving Healthcare’s Systems of Care

Inside hospitals, CPR training is foundational to the lifesaving care healthcare systems provide, considering about 200,000 cardiac arrests occur in hospitals annually. Yet, research shows resuscitation skills can decline within a few months – far before the two-year current evaluation standard. Frequent training ensures hospitals are continuously evaluating how to deliver patients the highest quality of emergency cardiovascular care.

 

“The 2015 update calls for integrated systems of care that participate in continuous quality improvement and that provide a common framework for both community and healthcare-based resuscitation systems,” said Clifton Callaway, M.D., Ph.D., chair of the AHA’s Emergency Cardiovascular Care committee and professor of emergency medicine at the University of Pittsburgh. “We must create a culture of action that benefits the entire community in which it operates, inside and outside the hospital setting.”

This year’s update provides recommendations on the data where new evidence requires a systematic review, in part, due to a network of trainers who regularly implement the CPR guidelines and rely on the science to inform the most effective care.

Annoying Mosquitoes and the Best Ways to Block them from Biting You

mosquito

Mosquitoes are an annoying, uncomfortable reality when it comes to spending time outdoors. A blood-feeding member of the fly family, their whining buzz and itching bites can make even a family picnic a challenging ordeal. In some cases, however, mosquitoes can be more than just an annoyance. Mosquitoes have been known throughout history to be carriers of diseases, some of which can be deadly and cause for serious preventative action.

The best way to block mosquitos from biting is to create a physical barrier between them and your skin. Many companies make hats that provide roll-down netting that will cover the wearer’s face and not allow insects access. Long sleeves, pants, socks and, in some cases, gloves may also be a necessity if one is venturing into or working in a heavily wooded or swampy area where the insects thrive.

If you partake in camping, sleeping under the stars may be a romantic and humbling experience, but it’s a moonlit buffet to mosquitos and other biting bugs. Consider a sealed tent with a fine mesh covering to still enjoy nature without letting it enjoy you.

For those who wish to venture outside without wearing a knight’s armor, there are many options when it comes to topical sprays and lotions to dissuade mosquitos from attacking. While diethyltoluamide, commonly referred to as DEET, has raised subtle health concerns, when applied as directed it is still the most effective chemical weapon against biting pests. Apply DEET-containing insect repellent to exposed areas of skin before going outdoors. Do not apply the spray to areas that will be covered by clothing, avoid the facial area and fingertips to avoid eye irritation, and wash thoroughly after your time in bug country has come to an end.

mosquito-bite

While there are other holistic and mechanical means to repel mosquitos (including various plant oils and sound-emitting devices and bracelets), these remedies have seen limited and in some cases minuscule success when compared to DEET-contaning sprays.

When bites do happen, barring any serious allergic reaction, treatment is usually simple and symptoms are not long-lived. An antihistamine such as Benadryl can be taken orally or can be applied directly to the bites themselves in the form of a topical creme. Alternatively, anti-itch ointments including benzocaine are often used. Most people find that a cool shower or bath with mild soap immediately alleviates their itching.

It is important to limit itching of the affected area as broken skin, especially in a less-than-tidy camping scenario, can lead to infection.

Stay safe, and itch free!

In-Pulse CPR – with 13 CPR and First Aid class locations in Tampa area

Capture2We are the largest provider of CPR and First Aid classes in Tampa with many class locations near you.

View our CPR class calendar now!

 

Progress is everything:

There’s a historical milestone in the fact that our Apollo 11 landing on the moon took place a mere 66 years after the Wright Brothers’ first flight.   Buzz Aldrin

First Aid & Safety doesn’t happen by accident – Author unknown

You will love our instructors! 

As business manager I receive many phone calls from those who are scheduling or will be attending a class.  Often they have questions as to what certification they need.  Sometimes I get someone who is in a panic as they cannot return to work because their CPR certification has lapsed.  I always do my best to help out where I can to get those calling registered for the correct class. 

I don’t often have someone call me after they have attended a prior class.  But occasionally we do.  Since we have attendee’s fill out a ‘course evaluation’ I always read comments that people have left.  Those comments help guide us to improve where needed if necessary.  Historically those comments are almost always fantastic (we loved the class, best class ever, I loved how this was done, etc).  I am thankful, as we have a wonderful team.

This morning, however I received one of those calls from a mother who had signed up her daughter for a CPR course to fulfill her need before starting clinical at a nearby school.  This mother said she had to call just to say that the daughter kept on raving how good the class was.  Recently, I received a similar call from someone who had been to CPR training classes with countless other organizations but this class was the ‘best by far’!  About a week later she called back to tell me that she had the opportunity to practice what she had learned on a drowning victim.

I appreciate all the feedback from our students.  It helps gauge how we are doing, as we always strive to do things better.  Please keep the comments coming.

Troy.

 

  What is CPR?    Why do we need CPR training?   Why do we need AED training?   Why do we need First Aid training?   Who needs Bloodborne Pathogens training?   What employers need to know   Survival Stories   Staying Healthy   Avoiding Injuries   Tributes to those who help make our lives safe More...     Sign Up for a CPR Class  
Disclaimer:
Use of any advise on this site is purely at your own risk.  The information supplied is designed to accompany CPR and first aid training not to replace.  In-Pulse CPR, Inc disclaims any liability for losses you incur as a result of inaccuracy of the information provided on this website.  Information on this site is for education, supplemental to examination by and advice of medical professionals.   Any information regarding first aid treatments is not meant to replace the advice of medical professionals including physicians, paramedics, emergency room attendants, nurses or other licensed medical personnel.