Becoming a CNA offers Personal and Professional Pride

  • by Derek Walborn
  • Oct 17, 2017
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For many, employment can be an existential burden. A necessary usage of our precious time in order to maintain our lives and amass the financial and social resources needed to enjoy ourselves while not on the job. Work can, at times, feel a meaningless grind without real merit or substance. However, this is not a problem that a certified nursing assistant (CNA) faces.

As a CNA, your duties impact the lives of other people in ways that many other forms of employment cannot. When directly involved in the wellbeing of those who require your help, your contributions and dedication will be felt not only by those under your immediate care but by their friends, family members, and loved ones. Your work will reverberate far beyond just one person, and those who are practicing CNAs are consistently on the receiving end of reciprocal gifts, cards, and appreciation.

CNAs often develop relationships with their patients. There is a sacred trust between the caregiver and the recipient in the medical world that fills a void that remains empty in other fields. While you may really hit it off with Carol in Human Resources working a desk job, the relationships formed between patients and CNAs is on a very honest, human level.

Often times CNAs work with the elderly. These are quite frequently people who will need assistance and care for the rest of their lives. Many will have stories to tell and family members to meet. Some, unfortunately, may not. The emotional impact of a CNA’s work cannot be overstated under these circumstances where the warmth, dignity, and responsibility of a CNA will be felt deeply, and the relationship regarded highly.

While there is always honor to be had in a job well done, there are few feelings quite like the satisfaction of helping someone else feel better. CNAs can expect to have a great deal of pride in their work as a result of being a positive force for good when and where people require it the most. Providing care for others is an affirming experience that reminds us to value life’s important moments, cherish our time, and prioritize. It teaches patience, humility, and empathy and rewards the practitioners of these virtues with a fulfilling career in the service of a greater purpose.

Did you know that In-Pulse CPR offers CNA classes?

Hot! Hot! Hot! Summer Time Sun Safety

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As we approach the dog days of summer, it is important to remind one’s self of the importance of sun and heat safety. While the human body requires sunlight in order to produce vitamin D, spending too much time exposed to intense UV rays, no matter what the season, is asking for discomfort at the least and a possible life-threatening malignancy or heatstroke at the worst.

It is widely known that sun exposure, even when relatively minor, can have a detrimental effect on the health of one’s skin. Sunburn, premature aging, and discolorations are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the sun’s potential ill effects on one’s health. Sun damage, over time, can harm the skin’s natural immune defenses resulting in cancerous skin legions, especially for those with fair skin.

Here are some important tips to keep in mind while enjoying the outdoors:

– Wear sunglasses. Not only will they prevent you from squinting, large frames also partially cover the particularly fragile skin on your face.

– Wear sunscreen, SPF15 at the least. Reapply often and especially after heavy sweating or toweling off after a swim. Don’t forget the ears! For children, SPF30 is recommended.

– Wear a wide brimmed hat. Provide your face and neck with some shade.

– Remember that the sun’s UV rays are reflected by both water and sand. Even if you’ve got it made in the shade, that beach day might leave you red if you don’t apply sunscreen properly!

– When possible, wear long sleeves and pants made from tightly woven, dark materials. The more coverage the better.

Prolonged exposure to intense heat is another danger associated with this time of the year in particular. Heatstroke occurs when the body is unable to bring its temperature back to a healthy level as a result of overheating. Symptoms include dizziness, confusion, vomiting, increased heart rate, reddening of the skin, rapid, shallow breathing, and irritability. In situations where heatstroke occurs due to extreme weather or environment, the skin will be hot to the touch and dry.

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Below are some tips to prevent one from suffering heatstroke:

– Wear loose, light clothing. Heavy, tight garments prevent the body from cooling off.

– The sun is at its most intense from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm. If possible, avoid strenuous outdoor activities during these hours.

– Take frequent breaks if you must work outdoors. Preferably in an area that is cooled with a fan or air conditioning and is out of direct sunlight.

– Drink plenty of cold water.

– Plan smart. If you have a flexible schedule and the day you were planning on sealing the deck is forecasted to be 98 degrees and sunny, it would be wise to change your plans and save your outdoor work for a day that is less likely to create ideal conditions for heatstroke and sunburn.

Spending time outdoors is a great way to rejuvenate the spirit, clear your mind, and refresh. However, it isn’t free of dangers and caution must be taken to avoid both short and long term health complications. Enjoy your summer safely!

Frank, a Doctor, didn’t even know

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They were on their way to Southern Illinois to visit Frank’s son at college before classes resumed for the next semester. They had stopped for the night in the small Arkansas town of Newport and had settled in for the night before resuming their trip North the next morning. It was a cold, wintry February night in 1984 when sometime around 2AM Frank woke up with a severe case of indigestion. He woke his wife, Marilyn, and asked her to go to the hotel desk and ask if they had any antacids. Marilyn walked down to the desk, retrieved some antacids and went back to the hotel room where Frank took the antacids and went back to bed. Upon awakening the next morning, the indigestion was no better than it was the night before but, much, much worse. Marilyn tried to talk Frank into visiting the local Emergency Room. Frank argued that it was nothing more than his usual indigestion but, that it was just worse than usual for some odd reason. Marilyn would not give up so, she sat down and called the local Newport hospital and spoke with the triage nurse in the Emergency Room. The nurse on the telephone was in agreement with Marilyn that Frank needed to come by the Emergency Room just to be checked. With the Emergency Room nurse’s advice, Frank finally broke down and agreed with Marilyn to go by the Emergency Room for what he believed would be a checkup, an EKG and some bloodwork. As it turned out, Marilyn was correct in forcing Frank to the ER. Frank was having a myocardial infarction. A heart attack.

CPR classes are so important so you too can step out when needed to be a part of a CPR rescue.  Register for a class today?

Frank was rushed by ambulance to the nearest ICU in Searcy, Arkansas, until he was stable enough to be transferred back closer to home a full week later. He was then transferred to Fort Smith, Arkansas to St. Edwards Hospital where he would remain under cardiologists care for two more weeks. The myocardial infarction had caused 40% damage to Frank’s heart muscle.

One month after his initial heart attack, Frank was admitted to the hospital once more for a balloon angioplasty but, was informed that he had yet another blocked artery in his heart beyond the one that was slightly opened with the balloon angioplasty. He would remain under cardiologist care for the remaining part of the year experiencing chest pains over and over again until the cardiologist decided that it wasn’t going to get better. The balloon angioplasty had not opened up the main blocked artery enough to make a difference plus, he had the other fully blocked artery still in there blocked. Frank needed open heart surgery.

In October of 1984 Frank went under the knife and they cracked his sternum, cut into his heart and split the blocked arteries open and replaced the blocked areas of the arteries with segments of artery removed from Frank’s leg. Over a seven-month period Frank went from bad indigestion to a double bypass open heart surgery. Once he had had the first myocardial infarction he had an incredible personality change from a calm and collected, cool headed man to an irritable, grouchy, constantly angered human being. He had experienced so much time with so little oxygen to the brain during the heart attack and from the blocked arteries that it had, literally, changed his personality. The loss of oxygen during the heart attack had actually caused some brain damage.

Don’t ever think you may be too smart to not know when you are having a heart attack. Frank was a doctor, himself. Frank thought he was simply having a nasty case of indigestion and only went to the Emergency Room at the insistence of his wife and a triage nurse on a telephone. Be heart smart. Know the signs, know the symptoms, know when you need to get checked out. Don’t be afraid of looking silly or naïve when you are having some “bad indigestion.” That burrito you had for lunch may not be the problem; it may the hundreds of burritos you’ve eaten your whole life.

CPR Rescue’s are only possible when bystanders learn CPR.  Take a CPR class today.  Sign up now!

Heart Health is all about the Choices We Make

Cardiovascular disease is epidemic in our modern society. Sedentary lifestyles and jobs that demand forty hours sitting at a desk in front of a computer have taken a toll on our national health statistics. However, you don’t have to be just another number on a graph and you can do it without the workouts of an olympic gymnast. Chances are, it’s easier than you think to make some modifications to your routine that will increase your energy and decrease your risk for disease. Once you incorporate a few small changes into your everyday life and begin to feel the difference they make, you will undoubtedly want to make more and find yourself on the path to a healthier, richer life. Being healthy, it turns out, is addictive!

 

Physical activity is an important part of maintaining good general health, and you don’t have to spend hours in the gym to make a meaningful difference. Taking the stairs instead of the elevator whenever possible is an example of a relatively minor change that turns a passive experience into an active one. Once you start to pay attention to how many times you enter a lift instead of marching up the steps you will clearly see how much “easy” exercise you can incorporate into your already established routine.

 

Do you break for lunch at work? Instead of jumping in your coworkers car to drive a couple blocks to the sandwich shop, why not walk? Seek out the times in your daily life that find you being idle and see if you can find a way to energize those moments and transform them into physically productive events. It is recommended that a person should engage in 150 minutes of moderately challenging physical activity a week. While that number looks daunting as a lump sum, two or three ten minute sessions of moderately challenging activity a day can add up!

 

Of course, it goes without saying that proper diet is the second half of a healthy lifestyle. Life moves fast, and balanced meals are rarely on the menu. Eating, instead of being seen as a way to feed your body the fuel it needs to meet peak performance, has been downgraded to just something we have to do between all the more important things we have to do. As a result, the quality of our intake suffers. Meal planning is a good way to eat healthy while still maintaining a full schedule. Take some time on the weekend to make your meals for the week. Choose healthy foods you enjoy personally, not what you THINK you should have. Food can be nutritious and delicious at the same time, and eating well doesn’t have to be laborious. You can make a big pile of plain chicken on the weekend, but that doesn’t mean you have to eat plain chicken all week. Flavor them differently. Put some in a sandwich. Marinate some with your favorite spices. Make a salad. Keeping things interesting is one of the most important parts of sticking to a new routine. Boredom kills willpower.

 

Bringing a healthy lunch and snacks to work opens up even more possibilities. Taking your lunch break outdoors in a park instead of at your desk can be greatly rejuvenating. It seems unrealistic, but once junk food has been eliminated from your diet for a certain amount of time you no longer crave it. You will have replaced the empty satisfaction of a quick fast food burger and fries with the pride and energy that comes with even a few small tweaks to better your personal health!

How Business Owners Can Benefit From CPR Classes

All throughout the gulf coast of Florida, there are several active, healthy communities such as New Port Richey, Town ‘n’ County and Tarpon Springs. These active communities are thriving with local businesses and organizations both large and small provider their employees with some form of health and safety training. Unfortunately, CPR classes and basic first aid training is not usually on the list. This is because safety and health training within a business usually focuses on how to avoid accidents or how to safely do your job. With an overwhelming population of older adults and elderly residents at risk for cardiac emergencies, the question is – would your staff know how to react if a co-worker were to go into cardiac arrest? Could they perform CPR and keep their co-workers alive until help arrived?

As a business owner, the worst thing in the world you can do is hope that someone who is currently working knows CPR and has basic first aid training. Instead, you should just work first aid training and CPR classes into your workplace In fact, here are all the ways your company can benefit from making this decision.

  1. Tailor The Classes To Your Industry

If you have a company with certain risks based on the job tasks of your employees, you can have CPR classes and basic first aid training that is tailored to meet the needs of your business. For example, the training individuals in an office is going to need will vary from the training individuals who work in a factory or at a construction site need.

  1. Long Term Investment In Your Business

Naturally, finding the funding for the CPR classes and first aid training is going to be a primary concern for any business owner. You have to stop thinking of CPR classes and first aid training as an expense and start thinking of it as an investment. You are investing in the safety and well-being of your employees.

Each and every employee you have is an asset. You invested time and money into getting them where they are today in your business. If something were to happen to one of them, you would have to start the entire process over. First aid training and CPR classes is an investment in your business, not an expense.

  1. Boost In Employee Morale

CPR classes and basic first aid training can be a lot of fun. In fact, it can be a great chance for your entire staff to socialize and get to know each other a little better. This will boost your employee morale which is going to do wonders for your business as a whole.

  1. Don’t Forget The Practical Benefits
  • Your entire staff will be more aware of safety. This is going to bring down the number of accidents that happen in the workplace.
  • CPR and first aid plays an integral part in saving lives and reducing injuries because they allow immediate action to be taken after an accident.
  • By having your employees take CPR classes and get first aid training, the first time they open a first aid kit isn’t going to be in an emergency situation. They are going to feel confident with the contents of the kit. They will know what everything is and what it is used for.

Providing your staff with first aid training and CPR classes isn’t going to cost you a lot of money, and it offers an incredible number of benefits. It isn’t a decision any business owner is going to regret.

Twin Cities Community is Officially Heart Safe

stillwater-signThe state of Minnesota is a beautiful place to live, work and raise your family. Minnesotans are hard workers who care about their state and each other. The small city of Stillwater, Minnesota is one of these close, family-centered communities. Stillwater, which is part of the greater Twin Cities metro area, has approximately 20,000 residents, and today’s residents are safer than ever thanks to the strides that the city has taken to become an official Heart Safe community.

 

Becoming Heart Safe

The Minnesota Resuscitation Consortium at the University of Minnesota reports that a person’s chance of surviving a heart attack in the United States can vary by up to 500 percent based on where they live. Because of this sobering statistic, Stillwater residents have made many important changes to increase the chances of survival after a cardiac arrest. In January 2016, the progress paid off as the city was named a Heart Safe community by the Minnesota Resuscitation Consortium.

 

The Consortium has developed a long list of tasks that cities can complete to earn the Heart Safe designation. In order to receive this honor, a community needs to accumulate at least 600 points by completing various tasks. Stillwater residents went above and beyond by earning more than 1,000 points, and they continue to make strides to make their community even safer for all residents and visitors.

 

Making Positive Changes

There is not just one action that makes a community heart safe. Instead, it the the combination of several different factors that can increase survival rates and help each member of the community feel more empowered.

 

During their journey to become a Heart Safe Community, the people of Stillwater held community CPR training events. Members of the Stillwater Fire Department led this training, and the department is proud to have four full-time employees who have successfully completed official CPR instructor courses.

 

This training was offered free of charge to residents, and the sessions focused on the hands-only method of CPR. This type of training instructs participants to use only chest compressions instead of both compressions and rescue breathing. Performing chest compressions might seem like a simple task, but it can actually make the difference between life and death in the time before emergency personnel arrive on site.

 

In addition to training community members in CPR, Stillwater also purchased potentially life-saving equipment. Community organizations, including the Lions Club and Elks Club, joined forces with the Minnesota Resuscitation Consortium to provide the financial backing for this project. Thanks to their generosity, the city of Stillwater now has CPR dummies to assist with training.

 

Automated External Defibrillators have been proven to increase a cardiac arrest victim’s chances of survival. Stillwater is working on developing a database of all AEDs located at both public and private city facilities. The state of Minnesota hosts a statewide AED registry, and the devices are also added to this helpful tool. It’s important for community members to know where these devices are located, along with understanding how to use them correctly in case of an emergency.

 

Getting the Training You Need

In-Pulse CPR is proud to offer high quality CPR training to 13 locations in Minnesota, including classes in the Twin Cities Metro area. Our instructors have years of experience in the medical industry along with plenty of real-life experience in education and training. We want our participants to be able to assist anyone in need at any time, so all classes include instruction in adult, infant, and child CPR techniques.

Healthy New Year’s Resolutions: Staying Active

At In-Pulse CPR, it’s no secret that we are passionate about health. We provide high quality CPR and first aid training sessions so that participants are ready to assist others when a health emergency occurs. However, we also realize that there is a lot more to healthy living than simply participating in a training session.

 

It’s hard to believe, but 2016 is starting to wind down. As the new year approaches, many people start thinking about New Year’s Resolutions. We believe that the most important resolutions are the ones that encourage a healthy lifestyle. If getting more active and increasing your level of physical activity is one of your resolutions for 2017, keep these tips in mind to ensure that you reach your goal.

 

Start Small

It’s great to have big goals and dreams, but you can actually set yourself up for failure if you push yourself too hard right away. If you currently spend more time on the couch than you do at the gym, telling yourself that you are going to the gym every single day can be more discouraging than motivating.

 

As you start getting active, exercising will become easier and easier. Don’t be afraid to start slowly, and work your way up to more intense activities. In addition to keeping you from getting discouraged, it can also protect you from injuries.

 

Do What You Love

You’ve probably heard the saying, “Do what you love, and you will never work a day in your life.” This same principle is definitely true when it comes to physical activity! There are so many different options out there, so don’t force yourself to spend time doing things that don’t bring you any joy.

 

Some people burn calories during solo workouts at the gym, while others love the built-in motivation of group classes. Some people appreciate the privacy of working out at home, while others appreciate soaking up the fresh air outdoors during a long run.

 

If you aren’t enjoying your fitness routine, don’t be afraid to try something new! When you look forward to your workouts, it’s a lot easier to get off the couch or out of bed.

 

Set Specific Goals

One of the most common reasons why people don’t stick with their resolutions is the lack of a specific goal. Sure, “getting more active” might sound like a goal, but it’s not specific enough to help you stay consistent.

 

Setting a specific and measurable goal is a very important part of setting yourself up for success. Some examples of concrete goals include:

-Complete a 5K by June 1

-Work out at the gym for one hour at least 2 times a week

-Participate in yoga once weekly

-Ride bike two miles every weekend

 

Each person’s needs and interests are different, so it’s OK if your goal doesn’t look like anyone else’s. Don’t worry about what others are doing. Instead, set a goal that is both reachable and measurable.

 

 

At In-Pulse CPR, we are grateful to be apart of your journey towards better health. We would love to hear about your healthy New Year’s resolutions so we can cheer for you!

Anaphylactic Shock

While CPR does not immediately come to mind when one thinks of allergy treatment, in times of anaphylactic shock CPR is a versatile and very applicable life saving tool.

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Allergies can range in severity from a bothersome, annoying runny nose and itchy eyes all the way to nausea and cardiac arrest. It is estimated that allergies affect 30% of adults and up to 40% of children, with allergic disease, including asthma, being the fifth most present chronic illness in Americans.

What exactly are allergies? The human body’s immune system is designed to release antibodies to fight off invading viruses and bacteria. However, occasionally antibodies will be triggered by a substance that is not necessarily harmful or dangerous. This is referred to as an allergic reactions and can be the result of a particular food, inhalant, medication, insect sting, substance, or particulate like pollen or pet dander.

While most people’s allergies remain seasonal or environmental and can be treated to some extent with over the counter or prescription antihistamines or decongestants, some may experience severe reactions that may result in impaired breathing and be cause for serious concern. When someone’s reaction results in hives, swelling of the lips, tongue, and mouth, they are experiencing anaphylaxis. This condition often affects the airways and lungs too, and can be life threatening. While some people use the term “anaphylaxis” and “anaphylactic shock” interchangeably, this is not correct. Anaphylactic shock occurs when someone’s anaphylaxis is severe enough to cause inadequate blood flow to vital organs.

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If someone is experiencing anaphylaxis, it’s important to act quickly and remain very observant. Call 9-11 immediately and ask the person if they have an epinephrine auto injector accessible. If so, ask them if they need help in administering it. If this is a first experience for them, they may not actually have such a device on them. Keep the person as calm as possible and have them lie down on their back with their feet raised about a foot. If the person is vomiting or bleeding, they should lay on their side as opposed to their back.

If the person suffering from anaphylaxis is not breathing or moving, it is time to administer potentially life saving CPR while waiting for emergency responders to arrive on the scene. CPR is an invaluable tool when properly applied. The majority of cardiac arrest victims die before EMTs are able to reach them. Performing CPR on a victim of anaphylactic shock as soon as possible can greatly increase their chances of survival.

Related articles: Respiratory emergencies in children Is she allergic to me First Aid Camping Tips

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Exploring The Benefits of Taking CPR Classes

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The unfortunate truth is that sudden cardiac arrest is considered to be one of the leading causes of death in America. The reason why so many people who have cardia arrest outside of a hospital die is because there are no bystanders who are capable of performing CPR to increase the chances of survival.

The truth of the matter is CPR is exceptionally easy to master. In fact, CPR classes are taught to tens of thousands of willing individuals every year. Still need some convincing? Here are all the reasons why you should take CPR classes and get certified.

It Saves Lives

The biggest reason for anyone and everyone to take CPR classes is because CPR saves lives. There are more than 300,000 people who are going to have a cardiac arrest every single year in the United States. Sudden cardiac arrest is something that occurs when an electrical rhythm problem occurs in a person’s heart which prevents it from being able to pump blood through the body. The longer your body goes without this blood, the lower your chances of survival become. Performing CPR will help the blood continue to flow through the body until an ambulance and arrive to assist. CPR is so helpful that statistics show it more than doubles a person’s chance of survive when it is started early.

CPR Outside of a Hospital is Uncommon

Statistics show that the likelihood of a bystander stepping in and performing CPR is unlikely. In fact, only somewhere between 15 and 30 percent of individuals who have a cardiac arrest outside of a hospital are going to receive CPR. When people are later asked why they never started CPR the answer is usually the same – they didn’t know how. If everyone would take CPR classes, this is a problem that could be avoided. Naturally, people have other fears such as hurting the person, hurting themselves, legal risks, or concerns about infection. These other fears, however, tend to go away when a person attends CPR classes and receives proper CPR training.

Mouth-To-Mouth Isn’t Necessary

Another big reason why people do not do CPR in the field is because they do not want to do mouth-to-mouth. People who have this line of thinking are people who have never been formally trained to do CPR as this is not a necessary technique. In 2010, the guidelines for a person performing CPR changed. The guidelines state that if someone is uncomfortable with CPR or has not been formally trained with CPR – they should only do hands-on CPR. The truth is that hands-on CPR has proven to be just as effective and just as helpful for someone who has had a sudden cardiac arrest.

As you can see, taking CPR classes may be the reason you are able to save a person’s life one day. Do you really want to walk around in a world where no one knows how to perform CPR in a moment when it is needed most? You can be the first domino to fall by taking CPR classes.

A Tribute to Nurses

By Laura Crider

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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.

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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.