by Teresa JenkinsThis CPR save takes place in Pensacola, Florida. This is the life saving story of how a Good Samaritan saved an Alabama woman’s infant child with the lifesaving techniques of CPR after the families boat sunk in the Pensacola Bay.
The Lassiter family was out for an afternoon of leisure and fun that turned into an almost tragic event when the small boat they were on was overcome by the rough waves and knocked the two adults and their two small children off into the ocean.
About a mile away there was a charter boat captain taking four guests out for a boating ride when he noticed the small ship had disappeared beneath the waves. He summoned one of his crew to call 911 as he headed to the scene of the incident.
The Lassiter family had been treading water for nearly 25 minutes according to recent reports taken by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. Shelby Lassiter held onto their 4 year old son, Bowen, while Russell Lassiter clung to their 9 month old baby, Riley.
Michael Kirk, the boat captain, and his crew were able to toss a rope to Shelby and her son to rescue them. But Russell and the baby were still about 100 feet away. Russell was yelling for help, and Michael Kirk could see him in the water but not the infant. It was at this time that a mayday was issued for the missing infant.
When Riley was found and taken out of the water her tiny body was limp and she was not breathing. Michael Kirk instantly began performing CPR on the infant; Riley started breathing, but not with normal breaths. Shelby and Riley were both transported by emergency technicians to the local hospital for further treatment.
Thankfully, because of the rapid response of Michael Kirk and his crew the Lassiter family is healing now and baby Riley is on the road to a full recovery. Once again, the act of CPR has saved another person.
If you live in the Philadelphia, Minnesota, or Florida areas go online to www.inpulsecpr.com and register for a life saving CPR/First Aid class today. You never know when it is going to be a beneficial thing to know how to perform CPR and save a life.
by Derek WalbornCommon CPR questions
How do I know if the CPR is actually working?
While it is difficult to know if applying chest compressions are having an effect on a person’s pulse, you can take note of whether or not the victim’s chest is rising when you breathe into their mouth.
Can I accidentally kill someone while giving them CPR if I do it incorrectly?
While injuries such as cracked ribs can be sustained by victims receiving CPR, this is typically determined by both the age of the victim and the manner in which CPR is applied. It’s important to understand that someone who has suffered cardiac arrest is already clinically dead and therefore even if CPR is not administered to textbook perfection, it is still better than nothing.
If a person is moving do I continue with CPR?
No. Someone who can move their arms and legs do not require CPR. It is to be used on unconscious victims who are not breathing.
If the victim has had previous bypass surgery, does the CPR technique need to be modified at all?
No. CPR can be performed in the normal fashion.
Can someone get AIDS from administering CPR?
There are no documented cases of anyone contracting HIV from performing CPR. More Info about other concerns
Aren’t I just breathing carbon dioxide into the victim’s lungs?
The air you exhale contains roughly the same percentage of carbon dioxide as the air around us. The victim’s lungs will function normally as a result.
What is the best position to put someone’s head in to clear their airway?
A head tilted backward with the chin up will provide the clearest airway for victims of all ages.
How much of a functioning heart’s pumping does CPR stimulate?
About 25%. While that may not seem like much, it is far better than the alternative of 0%.
What if the victim has a pacemaker?
CPR can still be applied normally to someone with a pacemaker.
Can CPR cause brain damage?
No. Brain damage is caused by a lack of oxygen to the brain. CPR aims to increase the flow of blood, thereby limiting the chances of any damage to the brain.
Can CPR help someone who has fallen unconscious after an asthma attack?
While the goal in cases of allergic reaction are to get medical assistance in order to control the swelling of their airways, it is possible that performing mouth to mouth respiration can help.
How often do I stop to check for signs of life?
You should not stop administration of CPR to check for signs of life. Your goal is to keep as much blood and oxygen as possible flowing through the victim’s body until the paramedics arrive on the scene.
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by Derek WalbornA young woman still in high school would seem to be the least likely of candidates to suffer from cardiac arrest and require the use of an automated external defibrillator (AED) in order to save her life. However, for 17 year old Claire Crawford of Loganville, GA, that was exactly what happened.
Claire had been participating in a volleyball match in her high school gym during senior’s night when she started to feel faint and dizzy. To the horror of her parents and onlookers, she grabbed her chest and fell down to the floor. Her heart had three critical blockages and, as a result, the teenage athlete was suffering from a kind of cardiac arrest that can only be fixed with an electrical shock.
While a crowd quickly gathered around her, Julie Sirmans, an academic dean at the school who was also a member of the district’s CPR certified “Code Blue” team, went through the motions of her training with the assistance of an athletic trainer who was on the scene as well as a parent who also knew CPR.
After instructing someone to call 911, Sirmans went to work with the school’s AED. The device played its automated recorded instructions which Sirmans followed, shocking Claire and administering CPR when directed.
As a result of the life saving combination of Sirmans’ training, CPR, and the availability of an AED machine on site, Claire was already conscious and sitting up when paramedics arrived on the scene. She immediately underwent triple bypass surgery and had an internal defibrillator implanted.
It is estimated that increased AED availability and more training on how to use them could save an incredible 50,000 lives each year. The American Heart Association states that a cardiac arrest victim’s chances of survival decrease by 7 to 10 percent for every minute that passes without the application of defibrillation and strongly advocates for greater access to AEDs in office and public buildings. Proper knowledge of the machines and heart health in general would have a long lasting and empowering impact on the general public.
In much the same way as we have codes and regulations that determine reliable access to fire extinguishers, schools, businesses, and public buildings would do well to take a proactive approach and learn from Claire Crawford’s harrowing ordeal in which CPR/AED education and readiness made all the difference.
If you are feeling stuck in your current career, or if you are trying to plan for a more secure future for yourself and your family, now is a great time to consider a career in healthcare. Healthcare is one of those fields that is never going to go away, and CNAs, or Certified Nursing Assistants, are in particularly high demand. Today’s CNAs enjoy many benefits, and one of the most exciting benefits is the amazing versatility that this field offers.
Versatility in Tasks
Through your work as a CNA, you will discover that no two patients are exactly the same. You will learn best practices and industry standards in your training classes, but then you get to use your knowledge to provide personalized, attentive care. Many CNAs state that one of the best parts of their job is the fact that each day is different. This keeps your mind sharp as it helps your work days pass by quickly. It also gives you satisfaction as you experience personal growth while making a positive difference in the lives of your patients.
Versatility in Work Environments
If you read job postings for current CNA positions, you’ll see that there is a huge variety of work environments available. Some CNAs find joy working with babies and young children in a private pediatric practice, while others commit their lives to working with senior citizens at assisted living facilities. Other CNAs travel to local homes giving individualized care to patients. Whether you thrive in a fast-paced critical care environment or you prefer a more relaxed nursing pace that gives you time to know your patients, you can choose a work environment that fits your schedule and your personality.
Versatility in Location
Since there are so many wonderful job possibilities available for CNAs, you can also choose where you would like to work. Your CNA training will allow you to take the plunge and move to that city you’ve been dreaming of, whether that is in another part of Florida or across the country. If you prefer a quieter pace of life, there is also a need for talented CNAs in rural areas throughout the United States. Acquiring your CNA degree is like getting a passport that opens up an amazing variety of new opportunities for you and your family.
At In-Pulse, we are excited to announce that we now offer high quality CNA classes in Tampa, FL. Please contact us to learn more about how this course can positively affect your future.
Your job is an important part of your life, but it is not the only important part of your life. The best careers help make the other areas of your life, such as your finances and family relationships, even better. At In-Pulse CPR, we talk with a lot of people who are considering careers as Certified Nursing Assistants. One of the major draws to this career is the flexibility that it offers.
Schedule Flexibility
From a regular 9-5 weekday schedule to overnight shifts and everything in between, a career as a CNA offers schedule options for everyone. If you choose to work in a private practice, you will normally enjoy a regular weekday schedule that allows you to spend the evenings and weekends with your family and friends. If you need to care for your young child during the day, you can secure overnight shifts at a hospital or other healthcare facility. Being able to choose a position that fits with your desired schedule is one of the top perks that CNAs state when they are asked about the benefits of their career choice.
Location Flexibility
In addition to having flexibility regarding your schedule, a CNA degree also gives you flexibility regarding your location. Since CNAs are in such high demand across the United States, you should be able to secure a job no matter where you live. Whether you need to relocate for your spouse’s career or you simply want a change of scenery, your CNA degree gives you the flexibility you need to make these exciting changes happen.
Income Flexibility
It’s no secret that there is currently a nursing shortage in this country. Although this can be bad news from employers who need to hire nurses and nursing assistants, the vast amount of available work can be very good news for CNAs who are trying to make a good living. As a CNA, you will often have the opportunity to pick up extra shifts. This is especially helpful when you want to save money for a special occasion, such as a family vacation, or before the holidays when you know that your expenses will be higher. Conversely, you can choose to just pick up a few shifts here and there to keep your skills fresh during the periods when you need time more than you need money.
Get ready to take advantage of the flexibility a CNA career provides by enrolling in CNA courses through In-Pulse.
We’ve discussed CNA career benefits such as flexibility, job security, and versatility, but some of the most important benefits of this type of career cannot be quantitatively measured. You can’t put a number or a price tag on the emotionally rewarding benefits of working as a CNA, but this is one of the top reasons why many people enter this field.
Making a Difference
When you work as a CNA each day, you aren’t just earning a paycheck. Instead, you are truly making a difference in the lives of others. As a CNA, you have the opportunity to help people during some of the most challenging times in their lives. We all feel scared and vulnerable when we are dealing with illness or injury, so having a calm, professional presence to provide care makes all the difference in the world. When you care for someone, you are not just making a difference in their life. You also have a positive impact on their family members and close friends. Knowing that their patient is being treated with care and compassion is one of the best gifts that you can give to loved ones.
Developing Patient Relationships
You will likely work with thousands of different patients throughout your CNA career. You certainly won’t be able to remember each one by name, but there are some relationships that you will never forget. Although CNAs provide care to their patients, they often find that they are learning from their patients, too. The CNA role lends itself to long-term relationships with patients in many cases. Perhaps you will work as a caregiver for an elderly person during the last few years of his life, or maybe you will get to cheer a patient’s progress as she proceeds through recovery and rehabilitation after a major surgery. Human connection and mutually beneficial relationships are beautifuls part of providing care for a living.
Providing Support
We’re not going to pretend that working as a CNA is easy. The days can be physically and emotionally demanding. However, the most worthwhile things in life are rarely easy, and CNAs report that they gain great emotional satisfaction through spending their days caring for others. As a CNA, you will see patients with great strength through physical trials, and these examples will strengthen you when you experience hard times. It’s a wonderful gift to be able to support someone at their lowest moments, and the lessons we learn through these types of situations are priceless. Your body will likely be tired at the end of each CNA shift, but you can leave work knowing that you provided support and made a positive difference.
Turn your caring nature into a rewarding career by enrolling in a CNA course through In-Pulse CNA program.
If you have wondered if a career in the medical field is a good fit for you, becoming a CNA is an excellent place to start. Although this is an entry-level position, it provides compensation that is well above minimum wage. More importantly, it gives you a chance to explore the medical field hands-on while making a difference.
Learning from Other Nursing Professionals
As a CNA, you will work alongside licensed practical nurses, registered nurses, and other talented medical professionals. This is a valuable tool for many reasons. First, it allows you to learn from those who have been working in the medical field for years or even decades. As you share experiences, you will develop best practices that will continue to help you in your career.
Many CNAs also find that working with other nurses allows them to gain a clear picture of what it looks like to work in those types of roles. If the life of a RN looks like an excellent fit for you, you can decide to study on and further your training.
Experiencing Various Specializations
The medical field offers a long list of specializations, and you’ll see different practice areas as you begin your CNA career. Although you are not required to specialize in a specific area as a CNA, many workers are naturally drawn to fields that are a good fit for their nursing styles and personalities. If you love being around children, working as a pediatric CNA allows you to make money while doing what you enjoy. Other CNAs specialize in maternity care, elder care, or surgery.
Enhancing Your Skills
Although our company provides excellent CNA training, we all know that there are some things in life that you simply can’t learn only in a classroom. Each day that you go to work as a CNA, you are enhancing your skills. Since no two patients are ever exactly the same, each patient gives you the opportunity to learn something new.
As you develop these new skills, you can continue to update your resume and find new career opportunities. Your CNA degree provides an open door that you can walk through to continue down a path that leads to bigger and better things.
In-Pulse CPR is here to help you turn your dreams of working as a CNA into reality. Contact us to learn more about our CNA classes in the Tampa Bay area.
No one wants to get sick or suffer and injury, but these things are an inevitable part of life. That’s one of the many reasons why CNAs and other nursing professionals enjoy a high level of job security. Whether the economy is high or low, and whether the stock market is going up or down, millions of people are still going to need the care that CNAs provide.
Current Nursing Shortage
Although nursing is one of the fastest-growing careers in the United States, this growth still cannot keep up with the current demand for nursing professionals. In fact, the US Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that there will be more than 1.2 million nursing position vacancies from 2014 to 2022, with shortfalls continuing to increase after that. No one wants to deal with a nursing shortage in this country, but these statistics show that the demand for CNAs will continue to increase.
CNA Career Outlook
Due to this high demand in the United States and in many other countries around the globe, CNAs enjoy a healthy, positive career outlook with plenty of opportunity for growth. Projections show that the demand for CNAs could increase by as much as 20 percent by the year 2020, which is well above the national average for growth in most other fields. It can be challenging to understand how these big statistics actually affect your life and career. To put it simply, more than 300,000 new CNA positions will likely be created over the next several years, and one of these jobs might be the perfect fit for you!
Peace of Mind
Positive career projections and a high level of demand combine to give CNAs peace of mind regarding their career paths. Even though salary increases might not be as prevalent during trying economic times, you won’t have to worry that your job will no longer be needed. It’s wonderful to know that you are an important part of the medical community as a CNA, and skills like yours will continue to be in high demand in a variety of medical settings throughout the next decade and beyond.
Invest in yourself and your future by learning more about Tampa CNA classes through In-Pulse Rapid CNA program.
Employee benefits sometimes go under the radar when people are looking for a career. It’s easy to look at the salary offered and make a decision based solely on that number. However, savvy job hunters are very familiar with the additional value a job can carry with a robust list of benefits attached to it. Certified nursing assistants are seen as entry level positions in the medical field. However, those working as CNAs can take advantage of the benefits that are offered with the role, thereby saving money that people in other positions with comparable wages would have to spend out of pocket.
Medical expenses can be a serious financial challenge, even for those in good health. Most CNAs are offered medical insurance packages that can not only help employees save money on doctor’s office visits and prescriptions, but can also provide a bit of serenity in your day to day life as accidents tend to happen when they are least expected, and any program that decreases stress is an asset.
Dental and vision plans are also commonly offered to CNAs, which is an additional perk. Dentist and optometrist visits are some of the most often skipped medical appointments as they are costly and many people opt not to pay for preventative or diagnostic care. Instead waiting until a toothache reveals the need for a costly procedure or they find themselves squinting in traffic, CNAs can take advantage of their benefits in order to make these crucial visits more affordable.
Life and disability insurance are also very often part of a CNA’s employee package. While these two benefits are, thankfully, the least commonly used, they afford people a peace of mind that few jobs at a similar level can provide.
An unspoken benefit to working in the medical field is job security. While high paying roles in technology and other business industries are both coveted and profitable, they are subject to the whims of forces outside of your control. Corporations may have to lay off employees after a particularly bad year. The poor decision making of a few high powered individuals may force a company to shut down. Additionally, economic recession and instability can wreak havoc on peoples employment. Thankfully, CNAs are one of few careers that are often deemed “recession proof.” The need for medical staff and services are not at the mercy of shareholders, the stock market, or politics, making for a degree of stability that is unheard of in almost all other fields.
As an entry level position in the medical field, certified nursing assistants make, on average, between $24,000 and $32,000 a year, or around $12 to $15 an hour depending on location. Considering the fact that being a CNA requires a certification process and not years of costly tuition, it can be an excellent career choice for those who are considering a more advanced future in medicine and would like to get a feel for the industry. CNAs are also often offered good benefit packages such as medical and dental insurance which is an additional value.
Many CNA positions are flexible and can work within various schedules. Oftentimes shifts are offered at various times of the day and night. Many CNAs take advantage of this flexibility in order to work full time while still furthering their education goals and career aspirations. It is not at all unusual for a CNA to work their shift during the day and take classes at night. Alternatively, some people choose to schedule their work during the nighttime hours. Depending on the type of facility one is working in, help is typically needed at all times of the day, seven days a week leading to a good environment for those who have unorthodox or particularly full schedules.
People who work as CNAs will find their job to be busy, active, and varied. While many CNAs work in hospital settings, they are also needed in retirement communities, daycare centers, nursing homes, rehabilitations centers, clinics, and long term care facilities. This provides an additional degree of flexibility as your certification will allow you to seek employment in a setting that interests you the most and also potentially change facilities if you find your first choice was not the most idea fit or have new goals. The work is more fulfilling and meaningful than a typical day job, and CNAs can be proud that their time is being put towards bettering the lives of others. Working as a CNA provides real world experience that can be an asset when it comes time to seek further or outside employment. Those with experience in medicine are universally well respected as the field carries with it a tremendous degree of responsibility, compassion, and dignity.
Gaining employment as a CNA can not only be a gateway to more advanced work, but also an opportunity to build your resume, earn money, and expand your horizons in a work environment that has positive goals and meaningful purpose.
Did you know that In-Pulse CPR now offers CNA classes in Tampa area? 
by Derek WalbornOnline learning has made tremendous advancements in the last decade. What used to be a series of digitized articles and essays has advanced to 360 degree video lectures and even virtual rarity demonstrations. It’s now easier than ever to attain education in areas of personal and professional interest, and excuses for not doing so are quickly running out.
Many employers will not accept an online CPR certification
However, there are still cases in which taking a class over the internet doesn’t fully measure up to an in-person, physical experience. You’d be hard pressed to truly learn karate over the web without an instructor helping you maintain form, and it would be silly to accept that you could learn how to dribble a basketball or style someone’s hair without a tactile component to practice with.
The same can be said about CPR. While there are online courses that can get you CPR certified, it is best learned (and taught) in person with live, hands-on demonstrations and teachers. When it comes to something as important as this potentially life-saving technique, the importance of a live coach cannot be understated. Proper form is key to performing CPR at its highest level of functionality both to provide assistance to someone in need and also to help avoid injury to the person it is being administered to.
You Can’t stop an online video to ask questions
Using dummies, visual aids, and hands-on instruction, an in-person class will result in a more confident level of expertise. You may unknowingly fall into a bad habit in your administration of CPR that an online video will not be able to correct for you. Feeling your weight against the resistance of a practice dummy or the placement of an infant dummy on your lap are real world experiences that can’t be accurately expressed with online instruction.
Taking a class in person also has the added benefit of meeting professionals who are knowledgeable and at your disposal when it comes to questions and inquiries into CPR techniques and anecdotes relating to its effectiveness. You may have questions that an online course can’t address, or you may wish to explore other courses or certifications available at the facility. Some may even provide additional courses and information on administering CPR to pets.
While online certification will get the job done, you can’t beat the additional degree of education that is attained in a live setting. When it comes to CPR, a true matter of life and death, there are no downsides to making the choice to take advantage of the benefits of in-person instruction.
Every profession has its perks. Some come with free coffee. Others, a company car or the ability to travel on the job. Certified nurse’s assistants (CNAs) have a unique set of perks to their line of work. Aside from the obvious benefits of helping people become healthy and working in the service of others, CNAs get to experience collaborating with and meeting a wide range of other people in differing fields. From doctors and specialists to orderlies and maintenance staff, the professional life of a CNA can be a revolving door of characters and personalities, all bound together under the umbrella of making life better for those who are struggling.
It’s important to engage with these people to learn about their background, professional history, and motivation. Many may have once been CNAs themselves, as working as a CNA provides a platform of experience in the medical field with which to build on should you pursue higher level employment in nursing or medicine. Taking courses and reading books provide knowledge, but they don’t provide culture in the way that experiencing a fully functioning, living, breathing medical facility does. As a CNA, you are in the business of people. Listening to them, talking to them, and interacting with them on a range of levels from the highly professional to the deeply personal.
Illnesses and injuries know no class, creed, or heritage and you will therefore meet patients from all walks of life as well, each with a story to tell. Few things bring out humanity more effectively than people in need.
Even “bad” interactions or experiences with people that feel negative can have a positive impact on your way of thinking in the long term. Empathy, integrity, and understanding are traits rarely developed under carefree, breezy circumstances. These virtues are forged with practice and patience and require one to imagine themselves in the position of someone else and accept that we often know very little about the people we encounter. People are rarely in a bad mood for no reason, and this understanding can be utilized both in your career as a CNA and as a general rule.
There are few professions where someone has access to the diverse cross section of humanity that a CNA does. Our relationships with those around us is what enriches our time and helps give us meaning. We may have our minds changed during a lively debate, or we may decide to redirect the focus of our lives after meeting an influential colleague or patient. In some cases, we may simply find someone with similar interests who can keep up in a conversation about a favorite TV show. As a CNA, you will have ample opportunity to allow these interactions to inform you, educate you, and provide you with experiences you can apply to all corners of your life.
by Christina Bassan
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