Automated External Defibrillator’s and the Workplace: It one needed?

Written by Laura Frost

Most workplaces have a first aid kit.

But what happens if an employee, customer, or visitor suddenly collapses from cardiac arrest?

Bandages and antiseptic aren’t going to help restart a heart. That’s where an Automated External Defibrillator, or AED, becomes critically important.

The American Heart Association reports that approximately 10,000 cardiac arrests occur in the workplace each year. Immediate CPR and use of an AED can double or even triple a person’s chance of survival.

That makes an AED much more than another piece of safety equipment.

It can be the equipment that saves a life.

What Happens During Sudden Cardiac Arrest?

Sudden cardiac arrest occurs when the heart suddenly stops pumping blood effectively.

The person typically:

  • Suddenly collapses
  • Becomes unresponsive
  • Is not breathing normally or is only gasping

Cardiac arrest is different from a heart attack.

A heart attack occurs when blood flow to part of the heart is blocked. A person experiencing a heart attack may still be awake and breathing.

During cardiac arrest, the heart is no longer pumping effectively, and the person needs immediate help.

Every Minute Matters

When someone suffers cardiac arrest, waiting for emergency responders without beginning care wastes valuable time.

The American Heart Association’s Chain of Survival emphasizes:

  1. Recognizing cardiac arrest and activating the emergency response system
  2. Starting high-quality CPR
  3. Providing rapid defibrillation
  4. Continuing advanced resuscitation and post-cardiac-arrest care

An AED allows people who are already at the workplace to provide potentially lifesaving defibrillation while emergency medical services are on the way.

What Does an AED Do?

An AED is a computerized medical device designed to analyze the heart rhythm of a person experiencing cardiac arrest.

If the AED detects a rhythm that can be treated with defibrillation, it can deliver an electrical shock intended to help restore an effective heart rhythm.

Modern AEDs provide step-by-step voice or visual instructions.

The rescuer doesn’t have to diagnose the heart rhythm or decide whether the person needs a shock.

The AED analyzes the rhythm and tells you what to do.

Why AEDs Belong in the Workplace

Cardiac arrest can happen almost anywhere:

  • Offices
  • Warehouses
  • Manufacturing facilities
  • Schools
  • Churches
  • Hotels
  • Restaurants
  • Retail businesses
  • Construction sites
  • Fitness facilities

Having an AED readily available can shorten the time between collapse and defibrillation.

OSHA encourages workplace AED programs and notes that public-access defibrillation programs can reduce the time required to provide defibrillation by approximately three to five minutes.

Those minutes can matter enormously during cardiac arrest.

An AED Is Only Part of the Plan

Simply hanging an AED cabinet on the wall isn’t enough.

A strong workplace emergency response program should include:

  • An accessible AED
  • Employees trained in CPR and AED use
  • A clearly identified AED location
  • Regular checks of AED batteries and electrode pads
  • An emergency response plan
  • Employees who know how to activate 911 quickly

OSHA recommends that workplaces providing AEDs designate employees to use them and provide training so workers know how to respond correctly.

AEDs are designed to be straightforward to operate, but training helps people respond with greater confidence when an actual emergency occurs.

What Should You Do If Someone Collapses at Work?

If an adult suddenly collapses and is unresponsive and not breathing normally:

1. Call 911.

Have someone call 911 and send another person to retrieve the AED.

2. Begin CPR.

Push hard and fast in the center of the chest.

3. Use the AED as soon as it arrives.

Turn it on and follow its instructions.

4. Continue CPR.

Resume CPR when instructed and continue following the AED prompts until EMS personnel take over or the person begins showing signs of life.

The AED will determine whether a shock is appropriate.

Do Workplaces Have to Have an AED?

There is not a general OSHA standard requiring every workplace in the United States to have an AED.

OSHA does, however, encourage AED availability in workplaces and provides guidance for establishing workplace AED programs.

Requirements can also vary depending on the type of facility and state or local laws.

Regardless of whether an AED is legally required, employers should consider an important question:

If someone suffered cardiac arrest in our workplace today, how quickly could we begin CPR and get an AED to them?

If the answer isn’t clear, it’s worth reviewing your emergency plan.

CPR and AED Training Can Prepare Your Workplace

Buying an AED is an excellent first step.

Training employees to recognize cardiac arrest, perform CPR, and confidently use that AED completes the picture.

In-Pulse CPR provides American Heart Association CPR and AED training for individuals, employees, and businesses.

We also provide private onsite CPR training for organizations that want to prepare multiple employees at the same time.

Learn More About Onsite CPR and AED Training

A cardiac arrest emergency gives very little warning.

Having trained employees and an accessible AED means your workplace doesn’t have to start from zero when every minute counts.

Updated 2026: This article was originally written by Laura Frost and has been reviewed and updated in 2026 to reflect current American Heart Association CPR/AED guidance and current workplace AED information.

Century College Students: BLS CPR Certification in Minnesota

If you’re a Century College student who needs BLS CPR certification for your program, In-Pulse CPR offers convenient American Heart Association BLS Provider classes throughout the Twin Cities.

Century College specifically lists American Heart Association BLS Provider certification for its nursing program, and BLS certification is also required in several other healthcare programs.

Which CPR Class Should Century College Students Take?

If your Century College program requires BLS certification, register for our:

American Heart Association BLS Provider Class

This is the healthcare-level CPR certification commonly required for nursing and other clinical programs.

The class includes hands-on training in:

  • Adult, child, and infant CPR

  • AED use

  • Choking response

  • High-quality chest compressions

  • Rescue breathing

  • Two-rescuer CPR

  • Team-based BLS skills

After successfully completing the course, you’ll receive an American Heart Association BLS Provider eCard, typically valid for two years.

Century College Nursing Students: Century College currently specifies American Heart Association BLS Provider certification and notes that Red Cross certification is not accepted for the nursing program.

CPR Classes Convenient for Century College Students

In-Pulse CPR offers classes at multiple locations throughout the Twin Cities, including options convenient for students attending Century College.

Instead of waiting for a limited school-based class, you can choose from multiple dates, times, and classroom locations.

View Upcoming Minnesota BLS CPR Classes

When registering, select the BLS Provider option.

Why Century College Students Choose In-Pulse CPR

  • American Heart Association BLS Provider certification

  • Instructor-led, in-person training

  • Hands-on CPR and AED practice

  • Multiple Twin Cities classroom locations

  • Evening and weekend class options

  • Same-day or next-business-day AHA eCard processing

  • Classes for both first-time students and renewals

  • Student workbook included

Our goal is to make completing your CPR requirement simple while still giving you meaningful hands-on practice.

Does This Meet Century College Nursing Requirements?

Century College’s current nursing program information specifically identifies American Heart Association BLS Provider certification as the required CPR credential.

If your program instructions state that you need an AHA BLS Provider certification, our BLS Provider class is the course you should select.

Because individual program and clinical-site requirements can change, students should always follow the most recent instructions provided by Century College.

Other Century College Programs Requiring BLS

BLS certification isn’t limited to nursing students.

Century College’s Medical Assistant program requires CPR certification at the BLS healthcare-professional level by the end of the first semester.

Century’s Emergency Medical Technician program also requires a BLS for Healthcare Provider CPR card before completion of the EMT course.

Students in other Century College healthcare programs should check their specific program requirements before registering.

Is This an In-Person BLS Class?

Yes.

Our traditional BLS classes are instructor-led and completed in person, including the hands-on skills practice and evaluation.

If you prefer a traditional classroom experience rather than completing part of your training online, this is a good option.

When Will I Receive My BLS Card?

Most students receive their American Heart Association BLS Provider eCard the same day or by the next business day after successfully completing class.

Your AHA BLS Provider certification is generally valid for two years.

What Should I Bring?

Bring a valid photo ID and wear comfortable clothing because you’ll be practicing CPR skills on manikins.

Previous CPR experience is not required.

Need BLS Certification for Century College?

If you’re a Century College student and your program requires American Heart Association BLS Provider certification, In-Pulse CPR gives you multiple class options throughout the Twin Cities.

Find an Upcoming Minnesota BLS CPR Class

Choose the location, date, and time that work best for your schedule and register online.

Updated 2026: This article has been reviewed and updated for 2026 to reflect current Century College CPR/BLS program information and current American Heart Association BLS terminology.

What Should You Do for a Burn? First Aid Steps That Matter

By Carin Mangimeli

You touch a hot pan, spill boiling water, or brush against something hot, and suddenly your skin is burning. What should you do next?

The first few minutes matter. Proper burn first aid can help reduce pain and limit further injury.

1. Stop the Burning Process

First, remove the person from the source of the burn.

That may mean:

  • Moving a hand away from a hot surface
  • Getting away from steam or hot liquid
  • Removing hot or wet clothing that is not stuck to the skin
  • Moving away from flames or another heat source

Do not put yourself in danger while helping someone else.

2. Cool the Burn With Water

Once the heat source has been removed, cool the burn as soon as possible.

The American Heart Association recommends cooling thermal burns with clean cool or cold water for at least 10 minutes.

Running water is often the easiest option.

If running water is not available, a clean, cool compress may be used instead, but it should not be freezing cold.

Do Not Put Ice Directly on a Burn

It may seem logical to grab an ice cube or ice pack, but direct ice can further damage burned tissue.

The American Heart Association specifically recommends not applying ice directly to a burn.

For larger burns, be careful not to cool so much of the body that the person becomes hypothermic. This is especially important with children.

3. Cover the Burn Loosely

After cooling the burn, it may be helpful to cover the area loosely with a sterile, dry dressing.

Avoid wrapping the area tightly.

The purpose of the dressing is to help protect the damaged skin from contamination and additional injury.

4. Don’t Break the Blisters

Burn blisters should generally be left intact.

Although it may be tempting to pop a blister, the skin over the blister helps protect the tissue underneath. Current first aid guidance recommends leaving burn blisters intact because doing so can improve healing and reduce pain.

If a blister breaks on its own, keep the area clean and protect it with a clean dressing.

Skip the Home Remedies

Burns have attracted plenty of home remedies over the years.

You may have heard recommendations involving:

  • Butter
  • Oils
  • Toothpaste
  • Petroleum jelly
  • Various foods or household products

These are not recommended as immediate first aid for a burn.

Your priorities should be much simpler:

Stop the burning, cool the burn, and protect it.

The AHA also advises against using natural remedies such as honey or potato-peel dressings for routine burn treatment.

When Should You Seek Medical Care for a Burn?

Not every tiny burn requires a trip to the emergency department, but some burns should be evaluated by a healthcare professional.

Seek medical attention for burns involving:

  • Blistering or broken skin
  • Difficulty breathing
  • The face or neck
  • The hands
  • The genitals
  • A large portion of the body
  • Any burn that otherwise causes concern

These are specifically identified in current AHA first aid guidance as burns that should be evaluated by a healthcare provider.

Call 911 for serious burns, breathing problems, significant electrical injuries, major trauma, or whenever the person’s condition appears life-threatening.

What About Electrical Burns?

Electrical injuries require extra caution.

Never touch a person who is still in contact with an electrical source.

Turn off the electricity first when it can be done safely. High-voltage electrical injuries, including contact with power lines, should be handled by emergency personnel.

Even when an electrical burn looks small on the surface, internal injuries may be much more serious. The American Heart Association recommends medical assessment after electrical shock because the extent of the injury may not be immediately visible.

A Simple Way to Remember Burn First Aid

For most thermal burns:

Remove. Cool. Cover.

  1. Remove the person from the heat source.
  2. Cool the burn with clean cool or cold water for at least 10 minutes.
  3. Cover loosely with a clean, dry sterile dressing.

And remember:

No ice. Don’t break blisters. Don’t reach for the butter.

First Aid Training Helps You Know What to Do

Burns are just one of many emergencies covered in a quality First Aid course.

Hands-on CPR and First Aid training can prepare you to respond to burns, bleeding, choking, medical emergencies, cardiac arrest, and other situations where knowing what to do can make a difference.

In-Pulse CPR offers American Heart Association CPR, AED, and First Aid training at convenient classroom locations.

Find an Upcoming CPR and First Aid Class

Learning first aid before an emergency happens can make those first few minutes much less uncertain.

Updated 2026: This article was originally written by Carin Mangimeli and has been reviewed and updated in 2026 to reflect current American Heart Association and American Red Cross first aid guidance for thermal burns.

Looking for Phlebotomy Classes Near Me? Don’t Forget Your BLS Certification

If you’re searching for phlebotomy classes near me, you’re probably getting ready to begin a new healthcare career.

While In-Pulse CPR does not offer phlebotomy training, we regularly provide another certification that many phlebotomy students and working phlebotomists need:

American Heart Association BLS Certification – Cost somewhere between $70-90

Some phlebotomy training programs require students to obtain Basic Life Support (BLS) certification before beginning clinical training, and employers may also require or prefer current BLS certification.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics notes that phlebotomists may need Basic Life Support certification depending on the employer or position.

So while you’re comparing phlebotomy programs, this is a good time to check whether BLS CPR certification is also on your requirement list.

Do Phlebotomists Need CPR Certification?

There isn’t one nationwide CPR requirement that applies to every phlebotomist.

Requirements can depend on:

  • Your phlebotomy school or training program
  • Your clinical site
  • Your employer
  • The state where you work
  • The type of healthcare facility

Some training programs specifically require a current healthcare-provider CPR or BLS certification before students participate in clinical training.

Before registering for CPR, check your school’s requirements carefully.

If they ask for:

American Heart Association BLS Provider

then that’s the course you should select.

What Is BLS Certification?

BLS stands for Basic Life Support.

The American Heart Association BLS Provider course is designed for healthcare professionals and students entering healthcare environments.

Training includes:

  • Adult CPR
  • Child CPR
  • Infant CPR
  • AED use
  • Rescue breathing
  • Choking response
  • Two-rescuer CPR
  • Team-based resuscitation skills

In-Pulse CPR offers instructor-led, hands-on American Heart Association BLS Provider classes.

Why Would a Phlebotomist Need BLS?

Phlebotomists work directly with patients in medical environments.

A patient could experience a medical emergency in a:

  • Hospital
  • Clinic
  • Laboratory
  • Blood donation center
  • Physician’s office
  • Long-term care facility
  • Outpatient medical center

BLS training prepares healthcare workers to recognize cardiac arrest, perform high-quality CPR, use an AED, and work with other rescuers during an emergency.

Even when BLS is not specifically required by your state, your school, clinical facility, or employer may require it.

Looking for Phlebotomy School?

If your original search was for phlebotomy classes near you, you’ll still need to find a school or training provider that actually teaches phlebotomy.

When comparing programs, ask:

  1. Is the program accepted by employers in my area?
  2. Does it prepare me for a national phlebotomy certification exam?
  3. Does it include hands-on venipuncture practice?
  4. Does it include or require clinical experience?
  5. Does the program require CPR or BLS certification?
  6. If CPR is required, does it need to be American Heart Association BLS Provider?

That last question can save you from taking the wrong CPR course.

Already Enrolled in Phlebotomy Training?

If your phlebotomy school told you to obtain AHA BLS certification, In-Pulse CPR can help.

We offer American Heart Association BLS Provider classes at convenient locations in:

Classes include hands-on instruction and an American Heart Association BLS Provider eCard after successful completion.

Find an Upcoming BLS CPR Class Near You

Choose your state, location, and class date to register.

BLS for Phlebotomy Students

Phlebotomy may be your career goal, but CPR and emergency-response skills are an important part of working around patients.

If your school or employer requires American Heart Association BLS Provider certification, make sure you select the correct healthcare-level CPR class.

View Upcoming In-Pulse CPR Classes

USF Students: BLS CPR Certification in Tampa

Updated September 2026 with current University of South Florida program information.

If you’re a University of South Florida student who needs BLS CPR certification, In-Pulse CPR offers convenient American Heart Association BLS Provider classes throughout the Tampa Bay area.

We regularly train nursing students and other healthcare students who need current CPR certification for school, clinical rotations, healthcare employment, or program requirements.

Which CPR Class Should USF Students Take?

If your USF program requires BLS certification, the course you’re most likely looking for is:

American Heart Association BLS Provider

BLS is designed for healthcare professionals and students preparing to work in clinical settings.

Training includes:

  • Adult, child, and infant CPR

  • AED use

  • Rescue breathing

  • Choking response

  • Two-rescuer CPR

  • High-quality chest compressions

  • Team-based resuscitation skills

After successfully completing the course, students receive an American Heart Association BLS Provider eCard, typically valid for two years.

Does USF Require BLS Certification?

Requirements vary by college and program, so students should always follow the instructions provided by their specific USF department.

However, BLS certification is required in several USF Health programs.

For example, the USF College of Nursing Nurse Anesthesiology program currently requires Basic Life Support certification and specifically identifies American Heart Association CPR certification among its pre-program requirements.

USF’s Graduate Medical Education programs also require current BLS certification across all residency and fellowship programs.

If your program instructions specifically state:

American Heart Association BLS Provider

then our BLS Provider course is the appropriate certification.

If the wording is different, check with your program before registering.

Why USF Students Choose In-Pulse CPR

You do not necessarily have to wait for a CPR course offered through the university.

In-Pulse CPR gives students another convenient option with:

  • American Heart Association BLS Provider certification

  • Multiple Tampa Bay class locations

  • Classes offered throughout the month

  • Hands-on instructor-led training

  • Adult, child, and infant CPR practice

  • AED training

  • Classes for first-time and renewing students

  • Same-day or next-business-day eCard processing

  • Student workbook included

Our goal is to make completing your BLS requirement straightforward so you can focus on school and clinical training.

Convenient BLS Classes Near USF

In-Pulse CPR offers regularly scheduled classes throughout the Tampa Bay area.

Whether you’re attending USF Tampa, studying through USF Health, or completing clinical rotations elsewhere in the region, you can choose the class date and location that works best with your schedule.

View Upcoming Tampa Bay BLS CPR Classes

When registering, select the BLS Provider option.

What Should I Bring to Class?

Bring a valid photo ID and wear comfortable clothing because you will be practicing CPR skills on manikins.

No previous CPR experience is required.

Your workbook is included, and after successfully completing the course, you will receive your American Heart Association BLS Provider eCard.

Don’t Wait Until Your Clinical Deadline

Healthcare students often need to provide proof of current BLS certification before beginning clinical experiences, internships, or other program activities.

Waiting until the last minute can create unnecessary stress.

If your BLS certification is expiring soon or you have an upcoming clinical deadline, completing the course early can help ensure your certification is ready when your program requests it.

Need BLS Certification for USF?

In-Pulse CPR offers hands-on American Heart Association BLS classes throughout Tampa Bay for University of South Florida students and healthcare professionals.

Find an Upcoming BLS CPR Class

Choose your location, select your class, and register online.

Related Resources

Updated September 2026: This page has been revised with current University of South Florida healthcare-program information, updated BLS course details, and corrected Tampa Bay class-registration links. Because CPR requirements vary by USF program, students should always confirm the exact certification required by their department.

Ballpark CPR: Why Coaches, Parents, and Players Should Be Prepared

Baseball fields are usually associated with summer evenings, folding chairs, dusty cleats, and parents cheering from behind the fence.

But like any athletic setting, a ballpark is also a place where medical emergencies can happen.

Most baseball injuries are relatively minor: bruises, sprains, cuts, or the occasional collision. One much rarer emergency can happen when a baseball or other hard object strikes a player directly in the chest and triggers sudden cardiac arrest.

The condition is called commotio cordis.

When a Baseball Hit Becomes a Cardiac Emergency

Imagine a player standing at the plate.

The pitcher throws. Instead of connecting with the bat, the ball strikes the player’s chest.

He drops to the ground.

At first, people may assume he simply had the wind knocked out of him. But he doesn’t get back up. He is unresponsive and isn’t breathing normally.

That is the moment when people nearby need to recognize that something much more serious may be happening.

Commotio cordis can occur when a sudden blunt impact hits the chest during a very small, vulnerable portion of the heart’s electrical cycle. The impact can trigger a dangerous rhythm, most commonly ventricular fibrillation, even when the athlete does not have known heart disease.

It is rare, but baseball is one of the sports historically associated with the condition because of the speed and hardness of the ball.

Important: A player who collapses after being struck in the chest, becomes unresponsive, and is not breathing normally should be treated as being in cardiac arrest. Do not assume the player simply needs a few minutes to recover.

A Recent Baseball Example: Quinn Supnet

This is not just a theoretical emergency.

In March 2025, Texas high school baseball player Quinn Supnet suffered cardiac arrest following a collision during a baseball tournament. He was later diagnosed with commotio cordis.

An athletic trainer and Supnet’s aunt responded quickly. Their actions helped save his life.

The American Heart Association later recognized the rescuers for what they did.

Stories like Quinn’s are reminders that the people already standing at the field may have to provide the first lifesaving care. Paramedics are still on the way. CPR and an AED can be started immediately.

What to Do if a Player Suddenly Collapses

If a player or spectator collapses, is unresponsive, and is not breathing normally, act quickly.

Step What to Do Why It Matters
1. Recognize Check responsiveness and breathing Gasping is not normal breathing and can occur during cardiac arrest.
2. Call Call 911 Send emergency medical help immediately.
3. Compress Start CPR Chest compressions help keep blood moving to the brain and other organs.
4. Defibrillate Get and use the AED The AED analyzes the heart rhythm and determines whether a shock is needed.

If several people are present, give someone a specific job.

Instead of yelling, “Somebody call 911,” point to a person and say, “You, call 911.”

Send another person to retrieve the AED while CPR begins.

That small amount of organization can prevent everyone from assuming someone else is handling it.

Key Takeaway: Gasping is not normal breathing. If someone is unresponsive and only gasping, treat it as cardiac arrest and begin CPR.

Why the AED Matters So Much at a Ballpark

CPR helps circulate blood during cardiac arrest, but it does not normally correct the abnormal electrical rhythm causing the arrest.

That is where an automated external defibrillator, or AED, becomes important.

An AED analyzes the person’s heart rhythm and determines whether an electrical shock may help. The coach, parent, or bystander using the machine does not have to diagnose ventricular fibrillation.

Turn it on.

Attach the pads.

Follow the voice prompts.

The AED handles the complicated part.

For commotio cordis, where ventricular fibrillation may be involved, quick access to defibrillation can be especially important.

Having an AED Isn’t the Same as Having Quick Access to One

A baseball complex can technically “have an AED” and still be poorly prepared.

Imagine that the AED is mounted inside the school building 300 yards from the field.

Then imagine the school doors are locked during Saturday games.

Or nobody at the concession stand knows where the key is.

That AED isn’t nearly as useful as it appears on an emergency plan.

Before the season starts, someone should actually walk from the field to the AED and see how long it takes.

Ask:

  • Can the AED be reached quickly from every field?

  • Is it accessible during evening and weekend games?

  • Do coaches know exactly where it is?

  • Are the battery and electrode pads current?

  • Is the cabinet clearly marked?

The goal is not merely to own an AED. The goal is to get it to the person in cardiac arrest as quickly as possible.

Don’t Forget About Parents and Spectators

The players are not the only people who could experience a cardiac emergency.

A Saturday tournament may bring hundreds of parents, grandparents, coaches, officials, volunteers, and spectators to a sports complex.

Someone could suffer sudden cardiac arrest while sitting in the bleachers, standing at the concession stand, or walking through the parking lot.

More than 350,000 cardiac arrests occur outside hospitals in the United States each year. Immediate CPR can double or even triple the chance of survival.

That makes CPR and AED preparedness useful for everyone at the facility, not just the athletes.

What Coaches and Leagues Should Do Before the Season

A simple emergency plan can prevent confusion when something goes wrong.

Before the Season What to Check
CPR training Make sure coaches and key volunteers know CPR and AED use.
AED location Identify the closest AED to each playing field.
AED access Confirm it can be reached during nights and weekends.
Equipment check Inspect batteries, pads, and readiness indicators.
911 plan Decide who calls and what address or field number they should give.
EMS entrance Determine which gate or driveway an ambulance should use.
Practice Walk through the emergency plan before the first game.

These details may seem obvious when everyone is calm.

They become much harder to sort out when a child is lying unconscious at home plate and dozens of people are shouting.

Cardiac Emergency Response Plans Can Save Valuable Time

Schools and athletic organizations increasingly use a Cardiac Emergency Response Plan, sometimes called a CERP.

The idea is straightforward.

Everyone should know what happens if someone suddenly collapses.

Who recognizes the emergency?

Who calls 911?

Who starts CPR?

Who retrieves the AED?

Who meets the ambulance?

Who clears the area around the patient?

A written plan is useful, but practicing it is even better.

A five-minute drill at the beginning of the season can expose simple problems before they become serious ones. Maybe the AED cabinet is locked. Maybe nobody knows the field’s street address. Maybe the ambulance entrance is on the opposite side of the complex.

Those are much easier problems to fix before an emergency.

Do Chest Protectors Prevent Commotio Cordis?

Protective equipment is important in baseball and other youth sports, but it should not create a false sense of security.

Chest protection may reduce the risk of certain injuries, but commotio cordis has occurred even when athletes were wearing protective equipment.

That means prevention alone is not enough.

Athletic programs still need:

CPR-trained people

Quick AED access

A practiced emergency response plan

The best safety strategy uses all of them together.

Should Parents Learn CPR Too?

Absolutely.

Parents often spend hours around athletic fields throughout a season. They may be closer to a collapsed player or spectator than a coach or medical professional.

Knowing CPR means you don’t have to stand by waiting for someone else to take over.

And the skill isn’t limited to the baseball field.

The person you eventually help could be a coworker, neighbor, spouse, parent, child, or stranger.

If you’ve never taken a CPR class, or it has been a while since your last one, attending a hands-on CPR and AED course can give you a much clearer idea of what to do when those first few minutes matter most.

One Question Every Parent Can Ask

At your child’s next practice or game, take a look around and ask:

Where is the nearest AED?

If nobody knows, that’s worth addressing.

Most ballparks will never experience a cardiac arrest. Hopefully, the AED mounted at the facility will spend years doing nothing more exciting than collecting dust.

But if the day comes when someone needs it, knowing where it is, knowing CPR, and having a plan can make an enormous difference.

This article was refreshed in 2026 with updated information about commotio cordis, CPR, AED use, and cardiac emergency planning for youth sports.

Be Ready Before an Emergency Happens

In-Pulse CPR offers hands-on American Heart Association CPR and AED training for individuals, coaches, workplaces, and community groups.

Find a CPR Class Request Group Training

Rescue Breathing or CPR? What’s the Difference?

“Do I give breaths?”

“Do I start chest compressions?”

“What exactly is rescue breathing?”

These are common questions in CPR classes, and the terminology can sound more complicated than it really is.

The simplest way to understand it is this:

CPR is used when the heart is no longer pumping effectively. Rescue breathing is used when a person still has a pulse but isn’t breathing adequately.

There are some important differences depending on whether you are a trained healthcare provider or a member of the general public, but that basic idea is a good starting point.

When Do You Perform CPR?

CPR is performed when someone is in cardiac arrest.

For a teen or adult, that usually means the person:

  • Is unresponsive

  • Is not breathing normally or is only gasping

  • Shows signs of cardiac arrest

A healthcare professional trained to check a pulse should do so for no more than 10 seconds. If there is no definite pulse, CPR begins.

For most members of the public, the response is simpler. If an adult or teen suddenly collapses, is unresponsive, and isn’t breathing normally, call 911 and begin CPR rather than spending time trying to find a pulse.

CPR combines chest compressions with rescue breaths when conventional CPR is being performed.

For a single rescuer, the familiar adult CPR pattern remains:

30 chest compressions followed by 2 breaths.

The cycle continues until an AED is ready to use, emergency responders take over, the person begins showing signs of life, or the rescuer cannot continue.

What About Hands-Only CPR?

This is where some of the confusion comes from.

You may have heard that CPR no longer includes breaths. That’s not quite right.

Hands-Only CPR is CPR without rescue breaths. The American Heart Association recommends it as an option for an untrained bystander who sees a teen or adult suddenly collapse.

The basic response is:

Call 911 and push hard and fast in the center of the chest.

Hands-Only CPR makes it easier for a bystander to begin helping immediately rather than hesitating because they aren’t comfortable providing mouth-to-mouth breaths.

Traditional CPR with compressions and breaths is still taught and remains important, particularly for trained rescuers and in emergencies involving children, infants, drowning, respiratory problems, and other situations where lack of oxygen may have caused the arrest.

So What Is Rescue Breathing?

Rescue breathing is different from CPR because chest compressions are not being performed.

It is used when a person has a pulse but is not breathing normally or isn’t breathing at all.

In other words, the heart is still circulating blood, but the person needs help getting oxygen into the lungs.

This situation can occur with problems such as respiratory arrest, severe drug overdose, drowning, or other conditions that interfere with normal breathing.

Healthcare providers assess the person’s breathing and pulse and provide breaths when appropriate.

How Often Should Rescue Breaths Be Given?

Current American Heart Association guidance differs for adults and children.

Patient Rescue Breathing Rate
Adult 1 breath every 6 seconds
Child 1 breath every 2–3 seconds
Infant 1 breath every 2–3 seconds

That works out to approximately 10 breaths per minute for an adult and 20 to 30 breaths per minute for an infant or child.

Each breath should be delivered over about one second and should provide only enough air to produce visible chest rise.

More air is not better.

Giving breaths too quickly or forcefully can cause problems, which is why CPR training emphasizes controlled ventilation rather than taking the biggest breath possible and blowing hard.

The Old “Remember 5 Seconds” Rule Is Outdated

Older CPR instruction sometimes used shortcuts such as giving approximately one breath every five seconds regardless of age.

That is no longer current AHA guidance.

Today, the recommended rescue-breathing rate is slower for adults and considerably faster for children and infants.

That is one reason periodically refreshing CPR and BLS training is useful. The basic purpose of CPR hasn’t changed, but techniques and recommendations evolve as resuscitation research improves.

Why Do Children and Infants Receive More Breaths?

Cardiac arrest in adults frequently begins with a heart problem.

In children and infants, cardiac arrest is more often connected to a respiratory problem that eventually causes the heart rate to slow and circulation to fail.

That makes ventilation especially important in pediatric emergencies.

For an infant or child who has a pulse but isn’t breathing adequately, the AHA recommends providing one breath every 2 to 3 seconds while continuing to monitor the pulse and condition.

What About an Infant or Child With a Very Slow Heart Rate?

This is another important point for healthcare providers.

For an infant or child, having some pulse does not always mean that chest compressions can be avoided.

If the heart rate is less than 60 beats per minute with signs of poor perfusion despite adequate oxygenation and ventilation, healthcare providers begin CPR. Current pediatric BLS guidance continues to use this threshold.

That’s more specific than the old statement that “if an infant’s pulse goes to 60 or less, switch to CPR.”

The overall condition of the child and whether effective oxygenation and ventilation have been provided also matter.

How Much Air Should You Give?

One of the easiest mistakes to make is giving too much air.

You don’t need to fill the person’s lungs as much as possible.

Give each breath over about one second and watch the chest.

Once you see the chest begin to rise, you’ve delivered enough air.

That principle applies whether you are giving breaths to an adult, child, or infant.

The amount of air needed will naturally be much smaller for an infant than for an adult.

What if the Chest Doesn’t Rise?

If you’re providing rescue breaths and the chest does not rise, reposition the airway and try again.

For someone who is unresponsive, opening the airway usually involves placing the head in the proper position before delivering the breath.

If you’re performing CPR and the first rescue breath doesn’t cause chest rise, reposition the head before attempting the second breath.

A CPR class gives students a chance to practice this on a manikin, which makes the difference between “enough air” and “too much air” much easier to understand.

A Simple Way to Remember the Difference

If you want the shortest possible explanation, use this:

No effective heartbeat = CPR.

Heartbeat present but not breathing = rescue breathing.

For the general public, you usually won’t be expected to make that pulse determination yourself. If someone suddenly collapses, is unresponsive, and isn’t breathing normally, call 911 and follow the dispatcher’s instructions while beginning CPR.

For healthcare professionals, BLS training includes pulse checks, rescue-breathing rates, pediatric differences, and deciding when chest compressions should begin.

CPR Training Makes This Much Easier

Reading CPR instructions is useful, but practicing them is different.

In a hands-on CPR class, you can practice chest compressions, rescue breaths, AED use, airway positioning, and the differences between adult, child, and infant care.

That experience takes much of the uncertainty out of questions like, “Do I give breaths or do CPR?”

If you’re due for certification or simply want to be better prepared, consider taking an American Heart Association CPR or BLS class with In-Pulse CPR.

The goal isn’t to memorize a page full of numbers. It’s to recognize what is happening and know what to do next.

Originally written to answer a common CPR classroom question, this article was updated in 2026 to reflect current American Heart Association guidance for CPR and rescue breathing in adults, children, and infants.

Cardio Exercises that you can do At Home

Cardio Exercises You Can Do at Home

You do not need a treadmill, home gym or expensive equipment to get a good cardiovascular workout.

For many people, exercising at home is simply easier. There is no drive to the gym, no membership fee and no need to work around someone else’s schedule. A small area in the living room, basement, garage or even beside your bed can be enough.

The important part is finding activities that raise your heart rate and that you can do consistently.

The American Heart Association recommends that most adults get at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity each week, or 75 minutes of vigorous activity, or a combination of the two. It also recommends spending less time sitting and moving more throughout the day.

You do not have to complete all of that exercise at once. Shorter sessions throughout the week can add up. The CDC notes that physical activity can be divided into smaller chunks that fit your schedule.

Here are several cardio exercises that can be done at home with little or no equipment.

1. Jump Rope

Jumping rope is simple, inexpensive and surprisingly challenging.

All you really need is a jump rope, a pair of supportive shoes and enough room to swing the rope safely. It can quickly raise your heart rate while also working your legs, shoulders and coordination.

If you have not jumped rope since childhood, start slowly. Try 20 to 30 seconds at a time followed by a short rest.

As you improve, you can experiment with alternating feet, high knees or longer intervals.

Jumping rope is a higher-impact activity, so it may not be comfortable for everyone. People with knee, ankle or joint problems may want to choose a lower-impact option.

2. Jumping Jacks

Jumping jacks have been around forever for a reason.

They require no equipment, take very little space and quickly get your entire body moving.

Start with short sets, such as 20 to 30 seconds, and rest as needed. You can add jumping jacks between other exercises to create a simple circuit.

If regular jumping jacks are uncomfortable, try a lower-impact version. Step one foot out to the side while raising your arms, return to the center and repeat with the other leg.

You still get continuous movement without repeatedly jumping off the floor.

3. Jogging or Marching in Place

Jogging in place is one of the easiest ways to add cardio without going anywhere.

You can do it while watching television, listening to music or waiting for dinner to finish cooking.

If jogging feels too strenuous, start by marching briskly in place. Raise your knees higher and move your arms to increase the intensity.

You can also alternate between one minute of faster movement and one minute at an easier pace.

This makes it easy to adjust the workout to your current fitness level.

4. Mountain Climbers

Mountain climbers combine cardiovascular exercise with core and upper-body work.

Start in a push-up position with your hands underneath your shoulders. Bring one knee toward your chest, return it and then bring the other knee forward.

You can perform the movement slowly or increase the pace as your fitness improves.

Mountain climbers place pressure on the wrists, shoulders and arms, so they may not be comfortable for everyone.

A modified version can be performed with your hands on a sturdy countertop, bench or other raised surface instead of the floor.

5. Stair Climbing

If your home has stairs, you already have a piece of cardio equipment.

Walking up and down a flight of stairs repeatedly can raise your heart rate quickly and strengthen your legs at the same time.

Begin at a comfortable pace and use the handrail when needed.

You can also simply walk up the stairs several extra times throughout the day instead of trying to complete one long workout.

As with any exercise involving stairs, pay attention to your footing and avoid rushing.

6. Dancing

Cardio does not have to look like a traditional workout.

Put on a few songs and move.

Dancing continuously for 10, 20 or 30 minutes can provide aerobic exercise without feeling like you’re counting repetitions or staring at a timer.

The exact style does not matter much. The goal is simply to keep moving enough to raise your breathing and heart rate.

It is also easy to adjust the intensity. Bigger arm movements, quicker steps and more continuous movement increase the effort.

7. Step-Ups

A sturdy step can turn into a simple home cardio station.

Step up with one foot, bring the other foot up, step back down and repeat.

Alternate which foot leads.

Start slowly until you are comfortable with your balance. Avoid using unstable stools, chairs or anything that could slide.

A bottom stair often works well because it is fixed in place and gives you a handrail nearby if needed.

8. Shadow Boxing

You do not need a punching bag to get a cardio workout from boxing movements.

Stand with your feet comfortably apart and throw controlled punches into the air. Add side-to-side movement, small steps and gentle squats as you become more comfortable.

Try 30 seconds of punching followed by 30 seconds of easy movement.

A few rounds can raise your heart rate quickly while working the shoulders, arms and core.

Avoid locking your elbows or throwing punches with so much force that you strain your shoulders.

9. Squat-to-Reach

A simple bodyweight squat can become a cardio exercise when performed continuously.

Stand with your feet about shoulder-width apart, lower into a comfortable squat and then stand while reaching your arms overhead.

Repeat at a steady pace.

You do not need to squat deeply. Use a range of motion that feels comfortable and controlled.

If you have balance concerns, perform the movement near a sturdy chair or counter.

10. Walk Around the House

This one sounds almost too simple, but it counts.

Walking through your home, hallway, basement or garage can add meaningful movement to your day.

Try walking briskly for 10 minutes before breakfast, during a work break or after dinner.

The American Heart Association specifically encourages people to sit less and move more, noting that even light activity is better than remaining sedentary.

On days when a harder workout is not realistic, walking is still worthwhile.

How hard should you exercise?

You do not need complicated equipment to judge workout intensity.

A simple method is the “talk test.”

During moderate-intensity exercise, your breathing should be noticeably faster, but you should generally still be able to speak in short sentences.

During vigorous exercise, talking becomes more difficult because you are breathing much harder.

The American Heart Association estimates moderate activity at roughly 50% to 70% of maximum heart rate and vigorous activity at about 70% to 85%, although those numbers are general estimates rather than precise targets for every person.

For most beginners, how you feel is often more useful than obsessing over a number on a watch.

Try a simple 15-minute home cardio workout

If you are not sure where to begin, try this simple routine:

2 minutes: March briskly in place
1 minute: Jumping jacks or step jacks
2 minutes: Walk or jog in place
1 minute: Squat-to-reach
2 minutes: Shadow boxing
1 minute: Mountain climbers or countertop mountain climbers
2 minutes: Walk or jog in place
1 minute: Step-ups
3 minutes: Easy walking and cool-down

That is 15 minutes of movement without purchasing anything.

Do it twice and you have a 30-minute workout.

You can also shorten the intervals, take longer breaks or substitute exercises depending on your fitness level.

Start where you are

A common mistake is trying to turn the first workout into a fitness test.

It does not need to be.

If you have been inactive for a while, five or ten minutes of movement is a perfectly reasonable place to start. Gradually add time or intensity as your fitness improves.

The CDC emphasizes that some physical activity is better than none, and the weekly goal can be built gradually.

Consistency usually matters more than creating one exhausting workout that you dread repeating.

It is also worth remembering that cardiovascular exercise is only part of a well-rounded fitness routine. Adults should also include muscle-strengthening activity at least two days each week.

Know when to stop

Exercise should make you breathe harder and feel physically challenged, but certain symptoms should not simply be pushed through.

Stop exercising and seek medical attention if you experience symptoms such as significant chest pain, fainting or severe unexplained shortness of breath.

People who have heart disease, significant medical conditions or concerns about beginning a new exercise program should talk with a healthcare professional about what level of activity is appropriate for them.

For most people, however, getting started does not require a perfect workout plan or a room full of equipment.

Move more.

Find a few exercises you actually enjoy.

And make them part of your normal week.

And while you’re taking steps to improve your own heart health, consider taking a CPR class too. Knowing how to respond if someone nearby suffers sudden cardiac arrest is a practical skill that could help save a life.     www.inpulsecpr.com

This article was refreshed in 2026 with updated physical activity recommendations, additional at-home cardio exercises and practical guidance for starting safely.

What to Do If Someone Is Having a Heart Attack in Public

Estimated reading time: 7 minutes

A crowded restaurant, grocery store, workplace, airport, church, or sporting event may be the last place you expect a medical emergency. But heart attacks can happen anywhere, and knowing what to do during those first few minutes can make an enormous difference.

If someone develops symptoms that could indicate a heart attack, don’t wait to see if they get better. Call 911.

Even if you’re unsure whether it’s actually a heart attack, getting emergency medical help quickly is the safest choice.

Know the Warning Signs of a Heart Attack

Heart attack symptoms aren’t always dramatic. A person doesn’t necessarily collapse while clutching their chest.

Common warning signs can include:

  • Pressure, squeezing, fullness, discomfort, or pain in the chest
  • Pain or discomfort in one or both arms
  • Pain in the back, neck, jaw, shoulder, or stomach
  • Shortness of breath
  • Cold sweat
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Lightheadedness or dizziness
  • Unusual weakness or fatigue

Symptoms can vary from person to person. Women may be more likely to experience symptoms such as nausea, shortness of breath, back or shoulder pain, unusual tiredness, or weakness in addition to chest discomfort.

The important thing is not to dismiss suspicious symptoms simply because they don’t look like the classic movie version of a heart attack.

1. Call 911 Immediately

If you suspect a heart attack, activate emergency medical services right away.

Don’t have the person drive themselves to the hospital, and don’t waste valuable time trying to decide whether the symptoms are serious enough.

Calling 911 gets trained medical professionals moving toward the patient. EMS personnel can begin evaluation and treatment before reaching the hospital and may be able to alert the hospital that a possible heart attack patient is arriving.

If you’re in a large public place, give the dispatcher a precise location. Include the business or venue name, entrance, floor, room, or nearby landmark when appropriate.

If several people are nearby, assign specific jobs:

“You call 911.”

“You get the AED.”

“You meet the ambulance at the entrance.”

Clear instructions help turn a crowd of spectators into a team.

2. Have the Person Stop and Rest

Keep the person calm and avoid unnecessary physical activity.

Have them sit or rest in a comfortable position while waiting for EMS. Don’t have them walk across a parking lot, attempt to drive home, or continue whatever activity they were doing.

If they’re in immediate danger, such as standing in traffic or another hazardous location, move them only as necessary to reach safety.

3. Consider Aspirin When Appropriate

According to American Heart Association and American Red Cross first aid guidance, while waiting for EMS, a first aid provider may encourage an alert adult experiencing nontraumatic chest pain to chew and swallow 162–325 mg of aspirin.

Do not encourage aspirin if the person:

  • Is allergic to aspirin
  • Has been told by a healthcare professional not to take aspirin
  • Has another known reason aspirin may be unsafe

If you’re unsure whether aspirin is appropriate, it is reasonable to wait for EMS and follow the 911 dispatcher’s instructions.

Aspirin is not a substitute for calling 911.

4. Help With Their Prescribed Medication

Some people with known heart disease may carry prescribed nitroglycerin or other medication for chest pain.

If the medication belongs to that person, you can assist them in taking it according to their prescription or medical instructions.

Don’t give someone another person’s prescription medication.

5. Find an AED Before You Need It

If you’re in a public building, ask someone to locate the nearest automated external defibrillator, or AED.

You may see AEDs in places such as:

  • Airports
  • Schools
  • Gyms
  • Churches
  • Shopping centers
  • Government buildings
  • Sports facilities
  • Large workplaces

A person who is awake and experiencing heart attack symptoms does not need an AED shock.

However, a heart attack can sometimes trigger sudden cardiac arrest. Having the AED nearby means it can be used immediately if the person collapses and becomes unresponsive.

Heart Attack vs. Cardiac Arrest: They’re Not the Same Thing

This distinction is extremely important.

A heart attack is primarily a circulation problem. Blood flow to part of the heart muscle becomes blocked. The person is often awake and breathing.

Cardiac arrest is an electrical problem. The heart suddenly stops pumping blood effectively. The person becomes unresponsive and is not breathing normally.

A person having a heart attack can deteriorate into cardiac arrest, which is why someone should stay with them while waiting for EMS.

If the Person Suddenly Collapses

If the person becomes unresponsive and is not breathing normally or is only gasping, treat the situation as cardiac arrest.

Call 911 and Start CPR

If someone hasn’t already called 911, call immediately or send someone else to call.

Begin chest compressions in the center of the chest.

For an adult:

  • Push hard and fast
  • Compress at a rate of 100 to 120 times per minute
  • Push at least 2 inches deep
  • Allow the chest to fully recoil between compressions
  • Minimize interruptions

For members of the public who aren’t trained in conventional CPR, Hands-Only CPR can be used for a teen or adult who suddenly collapses:

Call 911 and push hard and fast in the center of the chest.

Someone trained in CPR can provide conventional CPR using cycles of 30 chest compressions followed by 2 breaths.

Use the AED as Soon as It Arrives

Turn the AED on and follow its voice or visual instructions.

AEDs are designed to analyze the person’s heart rhythm and determine whether a shock is needed. You don’t have to decide whether to shock the person. The AED does that for you.

After a shock, or if the AED advises that no shock is needed, immediately resume CPR when instructed.

Continue CPR and follow the AED prompts until:

  • The person begins showing clear signs of life
  • EMS takes over
  • You become physically unable to continue
  • The scene becomes unsafe

Don’t Be Fooled by Gasping

One particularly dangerous mistake is assuming someone is breathing normally because they’re making occasional gasping, snorting, or unusual breathing sounds.

These agonal gasps can occur during cardiac arrest and are not normal breathing.

If someone suddenly collapses, is unresponsive, and is not breathing normally, call 911, begin CPR, and use an AED as quickly as possible.

What NOT to Do During a Suspected Heart Attack

Avoid several common mistakes:

  • Don’t wait for the symptoms to become severe before calling 911.
  • Don’t let the person drive themselves to the hospital.
  • Don’t encourage them to “walk it off.”
  • Don’t give them food or unnecessary drinks.
  • Don’t give prescription medication that belongs to someone else.
  • Don’t perform CPR on an awake person who is breathing normally.
  • Don’t use an AED on a conscious person simply because they’re experiencing chest pain.
  • Don’t assume gasping after collapse means they’re breathing normally.
  • Don’t rely on so-called “cough CPR” instead of calling 911.

The goal is simple: recognize the emergency, activate EMS quickly, and be prepared if the person’s condition worsens.

CPR Training Makes Emergencies Less Intimidating

Reading about CPR is helpful. Practicing it is much better.

Hands-on CPR training gives you the opportunity to practice chest compressions, AED use, rescue breathing, choking response, and other lifesaving skills before you’re standing in the middle of a real emergency.

At In-Pulse CPR, our American Heart Association CPR classes provide hands-on training for healthcare professionals, workplace responders, teachers, caregivers, parents, and members of the community.

Knowing CPR doesn’t mean you’ll ever have to use it.

But if someone collapses in front of you someday, knowing what to do can turn you from a witness into a rescuer.

Find an upcoming In-Pulse CPR class near you and learn the skills that can help save a life.

Quick Summary

If someone may be having a heart attack:

  1. Call 911 immediately.
  2. Have the person stop activity and rest.
  3. Consider 162–325 mg of chewable aspirin when appropriate.
  4. Help with their own prescribed chest-pain medication, if applicable.
  5. Have someone bring an AED nearby.
  6. Stay with the person and watch for changes.
  7. If they become unresponsive and aren’t breathing normally, start CPR immediately.
  8. Use the AED as soon as possible and follow its instructions.

When it comes to a heart attack or cardiac arrest, minutes matter. Knowing what to do before an emergency happens may someday help you save someone’s life.

CPR and BLS Training for Minnesota Healthcare Students

Originally published for Minnesota School of Business students

For many nursing, dental, EMT and other healthcare students, CPR certification is one of those requirements that needs to be completed before clinical training, internships or employment can begin.

In-Pulse CPR provides American Heart Association BLS training for healthcare students throughout Minnesota. Students from colleges, universities and technical programs are welcome to attend our regularly scheduled public classes.

This article was originally written specifically for students attending Minnesota School of Business. That school has since closed, but the same basic need remains for thousands of Minnesota healthcare students who need BLS certification as part of their education or clinical requirements.

Which CPR class should healthcare students take?

Most nursing, dental, EMT and other clinical healthcare programs require American Heart Association BLS Provider certification rather than a general CPR class.

BLS stands for Basic Life Support.

The course covers adult, child and infant CPR, AED use, choking response and team-based resuscitation skills commonly expected of healthcare professionals.

If your school tells you that you need:

  • BLS certification
  • BLS Provider
  • Healthcare Provider CPR
  • CPR for healthcare professionals
  • American Heart Association BLS

the BLS Provider course is generally the class you should be looking for.

Requirements can vary by school or clinical program, so students should always check the exact CPR requirement provided by their instructor or program before registering.

Why do healthcare programs often require BLS?

Healthcare students may eventually work in hospitals, clinics, dental offices, nursing facilities, ambulances and other environments where they could encounter a patient experiencing cardiac arrest or another medical emergency.

BLS goes beyond simply learning how to perform chest compressions.

Students practice skills such as:

  • Adult, child and infant CPR
  • Use of an automated external defibrillator, or AED
  • Responding to choking
  • Working with another rescuer
  • Coordinating CPR as part of a team
  • Recognizing cardiac arrest
  • Providing effective chest compressions and ventilations

These are hands-on skills, which is why practicing them with CPR manikins and AED training equipment can be especially valuable for students preparing to enter healthcare.

In-Pulse CPR classes are open to college students

You do not have to attend a particular college or university to register for an In-Pulse CPR class.

Over the years, we have trained students from nursing, dental, EMT, medical assisting and other healthcare programs throughout Minnesota.

Students often choose one of our public classes because they can find a date, time and location that fits around school, work and clinical schedules.

Public CPR and BLS classes are offered at locations throughout the Twin Cities and other Minnesota communities.

View our Minnesota CPR class calendar

What certification will I receive?

Students who successfully complete the appropriate American Heart Association BLS course receive an AHA BLS Provider eCard.

The certification is generally valid for two years.

If your school has specifically told you that it requires American Heart Association BLS, make sure you register for the BLS course rather than selecting a different CPR program simply because it is less expensive or shorter.

Different schools and employers may have different certification requirements.

What about Heartsaver CPR?

American Heart Association Heartsaver courses are designed for people who need CPR and AED training but are not necessarily healthcare professionals.

That may include teachers, childcare workers, coaches, workplace employees and members of the general public.

For students entering nursing, dental, EMT or another clinical healthcare program, BLS Provider is usually the appropriate choice.

Again, your school or clinical program should have the final say on which certification you need.

Before registering, check your school’s requirements

One mistake students sometimes make is registering for a CPR course before confirming exactly what their program requires.

Look at the information supplied by your school and check for details such as:

Training organization: Does the school specifically require American Heart Association certification?

Course type: Does it say BLS Provider, Healthcare Provider CPR or something similar?

Certification deadline: Does the card need to remain valid through the entire clinical semester?

Online-only restrictions: Some healthcare programs require a hands-on skills component and will not accept an online-only CPR course.

Taking a minute to check these details before registering can prevent the headache of discovering later that you completed the wrong course.

CPR training throughout Minnesota

In-Pulse CPR offers American Heart Association CPR and BLS classes at multiple Minnesota locations, including communities throughout the Minneapolis-St. Paul area and beyond.

Our public classes are open to students from any school as well as healthcare professionals who are renewing their certification.

Classes provide hands-on practice with CPR manikins and AED training equipment, allowing students to practice the skills they would actually use during an emergency.

For students already juggling classes, clinical rotations and work schedules, having multiple class dates and locations can make getting BLS certification considerably easier.

View upcoming Minnesota BLS and CPR classes

A note for former Minnesota School of Business students

This page originally welcomed nursing, dental and EMT students from Minnesota School of Business to attend In-Pulse CPR classes.

Minnesota School of Business and Globe University later ceased operations, and the schools are no longer enrolling students.

We have kept and updated this article because many current Minnesota healthcare students have the same questions that MSB students had when the article was first published: Which CPR course do I need? Will I receive an American Heart Association certification? Can I take the class somewhere other than my college?

For most healthcare students who are required to obtain AHA BLS certification, our public BLS Provider classes remain an option.

Always confirm your individual school’s requirements before registering.

This article was originally written for Minnesota School of Business students. It was updated and expanded in 2026 after the school’s closure to provide current information for nursing, dental, EMT and other healthcare students seeking BLS CPR certification in Minnesota.

Studies Show Bystander CPR Saves Lives

Written by Tom Sirmons

When someone suffers sudden cardiac arrest, the person standing nearby may be their best chance of survival.

Cardiac arrest happens when the heart suddenly stops pumping blood effectively. Within seconds, the person usually becomes unresponsive and stops breathing normally. Without blood flow, the brain and other vital organs quickly begin to suffer damage.

That is why CPR shouldn’t wait for an ambulance.

More than 350,000 cardiac arrests occur outside hospitals in the United States each year. Immediate CPR can double or even triple a person’s chance of survival, according to the American Heart Association.

Yet bystanders still begin CPR in only about 40% of out-of-hospital cardiac arrests.

Those numbers make CPR training much more than something healthcare workers need to know.

The person next to you may be the one who needs CPR

One of the most important CPR statistics is easy to overlook: most cardiac arrests outside a hospital don’t happen in airports, shopping malls or other crowded public places.

They happen at home.

The American Heart Association reports that more than 70% of out-of-hospital cardiac arrests occur in homes or residences.

That means the person who needs your CPR skills may not be a stranger.

It could be your spouse, parent, child, friend or another family member.

Learning CPR isn’t only about being prepared for an emergency at work. It gives you the ability to respond when someone close to you suddenly collapses and professional help has not yet arrived.

You don’t need to wait for paramedics

Calling 911 is one of the first things that should happen during a suspected cardiac arrest, but calling for help doesn’t mean standing by until emergency responders arrive.

If a teen or adult suddenly collapses, is unresponsive and isn’t breathing normally, an untrained bystander can begin Hands-Only CPR while someone calls 911 and retrieves an AED if one is available.

Hands-Only CPR has two basic steps:

Call 911, then push hard and fast in the center of the chest.

For adults, current American Heart Association guidance calls for chest compressions at a rate of 100 to 120 compressions per minute.

The goal is to keep some blood circulating to the brain, heart and other organs until an AED or emergency medical professionals can provide additional treatment.

Recent research continues to show the importance of acting early. A study highlighted by the American Heart Association found that beginning bystander CPR within the first 10 minutes after cardiac arrest was associated with substantially better survival and neurological outcomes compared with receiving no bystander CPR.

The sooner CPR begins, the better.

Hands-Only CPR doesn’t mean rescue breaths are outdated

This is an area where CPR advice has sometimes become confusing.

You may have heard that mouth-to-mouth breathing is no longer part of CPR. That isn’t entirely correct.

For an untrained bystander who witnesses a teen or adult suddenly collapse, Hands-Only CPR is a simple and effective response. It removes some of the hesitation people may feel about rescue breathing and gets chest compressions started quickly.

People who are trained in conventional CPR can still provide 30 chest compressions followed by 2 rescue breaths for an adult in cardiac arrest.

Rescue breaths are especially important in situations where the cardiac arrest may have resulted from a breathing problem, including many emergencies involving infants and children, drowning, drug overdose or respiratory failure.

The important point isn’t deciding which CPR method is “better” in every possible situation.

It’s starting CPR.

Doing something quickly is far better than standing nearby because you’re afraid you’ll perform CPR imperfectly.

Good chest compressions require more force than many people expect

Watching CPR on television doesn’t give you a very realistic idea of what proper chest compressions feel like.

For an average adult, the American Heart Association recommends compressing the chest at least 2 inches deep, while avoiding excessive compression depths greater than about 2.4 inches. Compressions should be delivered at 100 to 120 per minute while allowing the chest to fully recoil between compressions.

That’s harder work than many first-time CPR students expect.

After performing continuous compressions for a couple of minutes, rescuers can become tired enough that compression depth starts to decrease. Current AHA guidance supports rotating compressors approximately every two minutes when another trained rescuer is available.

This is one reason hands-on CPR training is valuable. Reading the instructions and physically performing two minutes of compressions on a manikin are very different experiences.

Don’t forget the AED

CPR buys time. An automated external defibrillator, or AED, may be able to treat the abnormal heart rhythm that caused the cardiac arrest.

If an AED is available, someone should retrieve it while another person continues CPR.

Modern AEDs analyze the person’s heart rhythm and determine whether a shock is appropriate. The rescuer doesn’t need to diagnose the rhythm.

The American Heart Association’s Chain of Survival emphasizes both immediate CPR and rapid defibrillation because these actions can take place before professional rescuers arrive.

This is why schools, workplaces, churches, gyms and public facilities should not only have AEDs but make sure people know where they are located.

An AED hidden in a locked office isn’t very useful when someone collapses across the building.

What if you’re afraid of hurting someone?

Fear is one of the biggest reasons people hesitate to perform CPR.

People worry about breaking a rib, doing the compressions incorrectly or somehow making the situation worse.

But consider what cardiac arrest actually means.

The person’s heart is no longer effectively pumping blood. Without CPR and other emergency treatment, the situation will be fatal.

The American Heart Association specifically encourages bystanders not to let fear prevent them from acting. The potential benefit of CPR greatly outweighs the risk of injury.

If you’re unsure what to do, call 911 and put the phone on speaker. Emergency dispatchers can provide CPR instructions while help is being sent.

CPR skills are worth refreshing

CPR guidelines change as researchers learn more about resuscitation, but that doesn’t mean CPR training you completed several years ago suddenly becomes useless.

What does change is technique, terminology and emphasis.

The American Heart Association released updated CPR and Emergency Cardiovascular Care Guidelines in 2025 based on the latest resuscitation research.

If you haven’t practiced CPR for a while, a refresher class can help restore confidence and reinforce important details such as compression depth, compression rate, AED use and minimizing interruptions.

CPR is a physical skill. Like most physical skills, it is easier to perform under pressure when you’ve practiced it.

You may never need CPR training, but you may be very glad you have it

Nobody takes a CPR class hoping for the opportunity to use what they learned.

Most people will hopefully never have to perform CPR outside the classroom.

But cardiac arrest doesn’t provide advance notice. It can happen at home, during a sporting event, at work, in a restaurant or while spending time with friends.

If it does, the minutes before emergency medical professionals arrive belong to the people already there.

Call 911.

Start CPR.

Get an AED if one is available.

And keep going until professional rescuers take over or the person begins showing signs of life.

Bystander CPR isn’t a replacement for emergency medical care. It is the critical bridge that can keep someone alive long enough to receive it.

Editor’s note: This article was originally published previously and was reviewed and updated in 2026 to reflect current CPR research, the 2025 American Heart Association CPR and Emergency Cardiovascular Care Guidelines, and additional educational content.

Eureka! They Found CPR: How Two Bystanders Helped Save a Life

A man who collapsed at a shopping mall in Eureka, Oregon survived after two bystanders stepped forward and began CPR before emergency responders arrived.

The original account described a call coming into 911 shortly after 8 a.m. When the fire department’s emergency response team arrived, they found two people already performing chest compressions and taking turns providing CPR.

That detail matters.

Instead of standing back and waiting for professional help, people who were already at the scene recognized the emergency and acted.

Their response helped give the man a chance to survive.

The First Few Minutes Belong to the Bystanders

When someone suffers sudden cardiac arrest, calling 911 is essential. But calling 911 is only the beginning.

Emergency medical professionals still need time to get to the person.

During cardiac arrest, the heart is no longer pumping blood effectively to the brain and other vital organs. CPR helps provide some circulation until an AED and more advanced medical care become available.

Immediate CPR can double or even triple a person’s chance of survival after cardiac arrest.

That makes the person standing nearby surprisingly important.

The best CPR is the CPR that starts quickly. Call 911, begin chest compressions, and get an AED if one is available.

Two Rescuers Can Make a Big Difference

One of the interesting details in the Eureka story is that the two bystanders reportedly took turns performing CPR.

That’s a smart approach.

Effective adult CPR requires compressions at a rate of 100 to 120 per minute and a depth of at least 2 inches for an average adult.

Keeping that pace while allowing the chest to fully recoil is physically demanding.

After a couple of minutes, even someone who is reasonably fit may begin to tire. When another trained rescuer is available, switching compressors can help maintain better-quality chest compressions.

The transition should be quick so there is as little interruption in CPR as possible.

What Happened When First Responders Arrived?

According to the original account, emergency responders took over CPR and used a defibrillator.

A pulse was eventually restored, and the man began breathing on his own while being transported for medical care.

The professional responders provided the advanced care he needed, but the CPR performed before they arrived helped bridge the gap between his collapse and professional treatment.

That is one of the most important ideas behind bystander CPR.

You are not replacing the paramedics.

You are helping keep the person alive until they get there.

Cardiac Arrest Is Not the Same as a Heart Attack

The original version of this article described the man as suffering a heart attack. That’s a common way these emergencies were described years ago, but the distinction matters.

A heart attack generally occurs when blood flow to part of the heart muscle becomes blocked. A person having a heart attack may still be conscious, breathing, and talking.

Cardiac arrest happens when the heart suddenly stops pumping blood effectively. The person becomes unresponsive and is not breathing normally.

A heart attack can sometimes cause cardiac arrest, but they are not the same medical emergency.

CPR is performed for cardiac arrest, not simply because someone is experiencing chest pain or having a heart attack.

Would You Recognize Cardiac Arrest?

Cardiac arrest does not always look exactly the way people expect.

A person may suddenly collapse and become completely still.

They may also make occasional gasping or snorting sounds. These abnormal gasps can be mistaken for breathing.

If an adult or teen suddenly collapses, is unresponsive, and isn’t breathing normally, the response should be immediate:

Call 911.

Start CPR.

Get an AED if one is available.

If you aren’t trained in CPR, the 911 dispatcher can help guide you through what to do.

What Does Good CPR Look Like?

For an adult in cardiac arrest, current American Heart Association guidance recommends chest compressions at a rate of 100 to 120 per minute.

Compressions should be at least 2 inches deep in an average adult while avoiding excessive depth, and the chest should be allowed to return to its normal position after each compression.

Interruptions should be kept as short as possible.

That may sound straightforward when you’re reading it on a screen.

Performing it on a person during an actual emergency is very different.

Hands-on CPR training gives you the opportunity to practice compression depth, speed, hand position, AED use, and switching between rescuers before you’re faced with a real emergency.

Don’t Wait for Someone “More Qualified”

One of the biggest obstacles during an emergency can be hesitation.

People look around hoping a nurse, doctor, EMT, or someone else will step forward.

Sometimes that person never appears.

According to the American Heart Association, approximately 350,000 out-of-hospital cardiac arrests occur in the United States each year, and about 9 out of 10 are fatal.

Immediate CPR can double or triple survival chances, yet many people experiencing cardiac arrest still don’t receive CPR from a bystander before emergency responders arrive.

You do not need to diagnose exactly what caused the collapse.

You need to recognize that the person is unresponsive and not breathing normally and begin helping.

An AED Should Be Part of the Response

CPR and AED use go together.

An automated external defibrillator analyzes the person’s heart rhythm and determines whether an electrical shock may help.

You do not have to interpret the rhythm yourself.

If an AED is nearby, send someone to get it while CPR continues. Turn it on, attach the pads to the person’s bare chest, and follow the device’s instructions.

If a shock is not appropriate, the AED will not advise one.

The American Heart Association’s Chain of Survival emphasizes both immediate CPR and rapid defibrillation because both can happen before paramedics arrive.

Why Hands-On CPR Training Still Matters

Technology has made AEDs easier to use, and 911 dispatchers can provide CPR instructions over the phone.

Neither replaces the value of practicing the skill beforehand.

A CPR class lets you feel how much force is actually required to compress an adult chest two inches. You learn how quickly 100 to 120 compressions per minute really feels. You practice using an AED and learn how to work with another rescuer.

Most importantly, you become more familiar with what to do during those first chaotic moments after someone collapses.

That familiarity can make it easier to act instead of freezing.

You May Be the Help That Arrives First

The lesson from the Eureka story isn’t that two ordinary bystanders somehow replaced trained emergency responders.

They didn’t.

They simply started helping before the professionals could get there.

That may be exactly what someone experiencing cardiac arrest needs.

The American Heart Association reports that immediate CPR can double or triple a person’s chance of survival. Yet about 9 out of 10 people who experience cardiac arrest outside a hospital still die.

Those numbers make the role of the bystander difficult to ignore.

If you’re not currently trained, consider taking a hands-on CPR and AED class. A few hours spent learning and practicing the skills could prepare you to help a coworker, stranger, friend, or family member when every minute matters.

First published as “Eureka! They Found CPR!” This article was reviewed and expanded in 2026 to reflect current American Heart Association CPR guidance and updated information about bystander response to sudden cardiac arrest.

AED Misconceptions: What People Often Get Wrong About Defibrillators

Estimated reading time: 8 minutes

Automated external defibrillators, better known as AEDs, can look intimidating if you have never used one.

Movies and television probably haven’t helped. We have all seen dramatic scenes where someone yells “Clear!” and a patient is shocked so hard that their entire body jumps off the table.

Real AED use is much less dramatic.

AEDs are designed so that ordinary people can use them during sudden cardiac arrest. The device analyzes the person’s heart rhythm, determines whether a shock may help, and then gives the rescuer clear instructions about what to do next. Public-access AEDs can be found in schools, workplaces, airports, gyms, churches, shopping centers and many other public places.

Unfortunately, misconceptions about AEDs can make people hesitate during the exact moments when quick action matters most.

Here are some of the most common myths.

Misconception #1: You could accidentally shock someone who doesn’t need it

This is one of the biggest fears people have about using an AED.

You don’t decide whether the person should be shocked. The AED does.

Once the electrode pads are attached, the device analyzes the person’s heart rhythm. If it detects a rhythm that can be treated with defibrillation, it will advise or deliver a shock depending on the model. If the rhythm is not shockable, the AED will not tell you to shock the person.

In other words, you cannot simply press the button and shock anyone you choose.

AEDs are regulated medical devices, and the FDA describes them as computerized defibrillators designed to analyze heart rhythm and provide a shock only when appropriate.

Misconception #2: Only doctors and paramedics can use an AED

You do not have to be a doctor, nurse or paramedic to operate a public-access AED.

These devices were specifically developed with bystanders in mind. Once turned on, an AED typically provides spoken and visual instructions that guide the user through placing the electrode pads, allowing the device to analyze the heart rhythm and delivering a shock when necessary.

The American Red Cross describes AEDs as sophisticated medical devices that are also designed to be easy to use.

CPR and AED training is still extremely valuable. Practicing beforehand means you are more likely to recognize cardiac arrest, know where to place the pads and understand how CPR and AED use work together.

The first time you open an AED is much better in a CPR class than during an actual emergency.

Misconception #3: AEDs “restart” a completely stopped heart

This is another idea largely reinforced by television.

An AED is not designed to shock every person whose heart has stopped pumping effectively.

It treats certain abnormal electrical rhythms, particularly ventricular fibrillation and pulseless ventricular tachycardia. In these situations, the heart still has electrical activity, but that activity has become dangerously disorganized or rapid.

A defibrillation shock briefly interrupts that abnormal electrical activity and may allow the heart’s normal electrical system to regain control.

If the AED analyzes the person’s heart and determines that the rhythm is not shockable, it will instruct the rescuer to continue CPR.

That is why CPR remains essential even when an AED is available.

Misconception #4: A heart attack and cardiac arrest are the same thing

They aren’t.

A heart attack usually occurs when blood flow to part of the heart muscle becomes blocked. Someone having a heart attack may still be awake, breathing and able to talk.

Sudden cardiac arrest occurs when the heart abruptly stops pumping blood effectively. The person typically becomes unresponsive and is not breathing normally.

A heart attack can sometimes cause cardiac arrest, but the two conditions are different.

An AED is used when someone is in cardiac arrest. It is not used simply because a person is experiencing chest pain or appears to be having a heart attack.

Misconception #5: Young and healthy people don’t need AEDs

It is tempting to think AEDs are only important in places frequented by older adults.

Sudden cardiac arrest can happen to people of many ages and fitness levels, including athletes and young people with previously unknown heart conditions.

That is one reason AEDs are increasingly common in schools, athletic facilities and recreation centers.

A healthy appearance does not guarantee that someone cannot experience a serious cardiac rhythm problem.

If a person suddenly collapses, is unresponsive and is not breathing normally, their age should not delay the response.

Call 911, begin CPR and get an AED.

Misconception #6: The person will violently convulse when shocked

Television gets another one.

A person’s muscles may contract or their body may move briefly when an AED delivers a shock. But you should not expect the dramatic, whole-body leap that is commonly shown in movies.

The important safety step is making sure nobody is touching the person while the AED analyzes the heart rhythm or delivers a shock.

The device will normally give a clear instruction to stand back.

Misconception #7: The AED will shock the rescuer

When used correctly, the rescuer should not receive a shock.

Before the AED delivers a shock, everyone should move their hands away from the person. This is the reason rescuers are taught to visually check the patient and loudly announce that everyone should stand clear.

Once the shock has been delivered, CPR can resume when the AED instructs you to do so.

The risk isn’t a reason to avoid using the device. It is simply why following the AED’s instructions matters.

Misconception #8: You shouldn’t use an AED if the person’s chest is wet

Water requires some common sense, but it doesn’t automatically prevent AED use.

If a person is lying in water, move them away from standing water if it is safe to do so. If their chest is wet, quickly dry the area where the electrode pads need to be attached.

The pads need good contact with the person’s skin.

You don’t need to spend several minutes trying to make the person perfectly dry. The goal is to quickly create a reasonably dry surface for the pads and continue the rescue.

Misconception #9: AEDs are only for adults

AEDs can also be used on children.

For younger children, pediatric pads or pediatric settings are preferred when available because they reduce the amount of electrical energy delivered. Current resuscitation guidance recommends pediatric-specific pads or settings for children age 8 and younger or approximately 55 pounds and under when those options are available.

If a child is in cardiac arrest, however, getting CPR started and obtaining an AED quickly are extremely important.

CPR training helps rescuers understand the differences between caring for adults, children and infants.

Misconception #10: AEDs are disposable after one use

The AED itself is generally reusable.

The electrode pads that attach to the person’s chest are typically single-use and must be replaced after an emergency. Batteries also have a limited service life and eventually need replacement or recharging depending on the model.

That means AED ownership requires some basic maintenance.

Organizations should periodically check:

  • Battery status
  • Electrode pad expiration dates
  • The AED’s readiness indicator
  • Whether the device and accessories are still where they are supposed to be

An AED that has been sitting untouched in a cabinet for several years shouldn’t simply be assumed to be ready.

Misconception #11: Someone else will know what to do

This may be the most dangerous assumption.

When someone collapses, people often expect another person to take charge. Surely a nurse is nearby. Surely someone knows CPR. Surely the ambulance will be there quickly.

Sometimes none of those things are true.

The American Heart Association reports that roughly 9 out of 10 people who experience cardiac arrest outside of a hospital die, and only about 40% receive immediate help from a bystander before emergency responders arrive.

Immediate CPR can double or even triple a person’s chance of survival.

That makes the person standing a few feet away surprisingly important.

Misconception #12: First responders will arrive quickly enough, so we don’t need an AED

Calling 911 should always be part of the response, but an AED located inside the building may be available several minutes before professional responders arrive.

Those minutes matter.

The American Heart Association’s Chain of Survival emphasizes early recognition, immediate CPR and rapid defibrillation as important steps in improving survival from cardiac arrest.

Think about where an AED is located in your workplace, school, church or gym.

Could someone retrieve it quickly?

Is it accessible when the building is occupied?

Do employees or staff members know where it is?

A defibrillator locked in an office on the other side of a large building isn’t nearly as useful as one that can be reached quickly.

CPR and AED training can remove a lot of the uncertainty

You don’t have to memorize complicated heart rhythms to help someone experiencing cardiac arrest.

A good CPR and AED class teaches you how to recognize the emergency, call 911, perform effective chest compressions, operate an AED and continue care until emergency medical responders take over.

The AED handles the complicated electrical analysis.

Your job is to recognize that something is wrong, act quickly and follow the instructions.

That’s much less intimidating once you’ve practiced it.

Most people who take CPR training hope they never have to use it. But if someone collapses at work, at a child’s sporting event, at church or even at home, knowing what to do can turn those first confusing moments into action.

Editor’s note: This article was originally published previously and was reviewed and updated in 2026 for accuracy, current CPR/AED guidance and additional educational content.

Family of Teen Athlete Calls for Greater CPR Training and AED Access

morganwilson
Morgan Wilson dies at age of 17 when her heart stops. If staff had adequate training in CPR and access to an AED, she might be alive today.

Family of Teen Athlete Calls for Greater CPR Training and AED Access

Sudden cardiac arrest is something most people associate with older adults. It can be especially difficult to recognize when the person who collapses is a healthy, active teenager.

That was the tragedy faced by the family of Morgan Wilson, a 17-year-old student-athlete from Anaheim, California.

In July 2014, Morgan had finished running laps at Boysen Park near the Anaheim Tennis Center and was preparing to do sprints when she suddenly collapsed. She had gone into cardiac arrest.

Morgan was a well-conditioned athlete. She was captain of the girls’ tennis team at Esperanza High School and also participated in running and track events. According to news reports at the time, she regularly ran four or five miles a day. There had been little reason for her family to expect a life-threatening cardiac emergency.

Paramedics responded and were able to restore her heartbeat, but Morgan had already suffered serious brain damage. She was taken to UC Irvine Medical Center and placed in a medically induced coma.

Eight days after her collapse, Morgan died.

She was only 17.

Her family’s question: What if help had started sooner?

In the days following Morgan’s death, her family began focusing attention on what happened during the first few minutes after she collapsed.

According to the Anaheim Fire Department, paramedics arrived approximately five minutes and 40 seconds after the 911 call. Officials said they did not believe CPR or defibrillation had been attempted before paramedics arrived.

For Morgan’s parents, that raised painful questions.

What if someone nearby had immediately recognized cardiac arrest and started CPR? What if an AED had been available at the tennis facility? Could those first few minutes have changed the outcome?

No one can say for certain what would have happened in Morgan’s particular case. But her family wanted other parents, coaches and athletic organizations to understand how important those first minutes can be.

They began advocating for more automated external defibrillators, or AEDs, at athletic facilities and established a memorial fund to help pay for CPR training.

Sudden cardiac arrest can happen to young athletes

Morgan’s story is difficult partly because she didn’t fit the picture many people have of someone at risk for cardiac arrest.

She was young, athletic and active.

While sudden cardiac arrest in young people is uncommon compared with cardiac arrest in older adults, it does happen. Certain underlying heart conditions may exist without obvious symptoms, and strenuous activity can sometimes be when a previously undetected problem first becomes apparent.

A person in cardiac arrest suddenly becomes unresponsive and is not breathing normally. The heart is no longer effectively pumping blood to the brain and other organs.

This is different from a heart attack. A heart attack usually involves a blockage that reduces blood flow to part of the heart muscle. A person experiencing a heart attack may remain awake and responsive. Cardiac arrest is an immediate loss of effective heart function.

A heart attack can sometimes lead to cardiac arrest, but they are not the same emergency.

What should happen when an athlete suddenly collapses?

When an athlete suddenly collapses and is unresponsive and not breathing normally, people nearby should act immediately.

Call 911. Begin CPR. Send someone to retrieve the nearest AED.

An AED analyzes the person’s heart rhythm and determines whether an electrical shock is appropriate. The person using the AED does not have to determine this themselves. The device provides instructions and will only advise a shock when it detects a shockable rhythm.

CPR and AED use work together. CPR helps keep some blood moving to the brain and other vital organs while an AED may be able to correct certain dangerous heart rhythms.

Current American Heart Association CPR guidance continues to emphasize rapid recognition of cardiac arrest, immediate CPR and early defibrillation as key parts of the emergency response.

Having an AED somewhere in the building isn’t enough

An AED can only help if someone can get to it quickly.

For schools, gyms, athletic fields and recreation centers, that means thinking about more than simply purchasing a defibrillator and putting it in a cabinet.

Imagine a soccer player collapsing on a practice field several hundred yards from the school building. Or a basketball player collapsing in an auxiliary gym while the nearest AED is locked inside the main office.

Technically, the facility has an AED. Practically, it may be too far away when seconds count.

Athletic programs should know where their AEDs are located, make sure they are accessible during practices and games, and periodically check batteries and electrode pads.

Staff members should also know who will retrieve the AED if an emergency happens.

Coaches and staff should practice the response

CPR training is important, but emergency preparation can go one step further.

Schools and athletic programs can establish a cardiac emergency response or emergency action plan that answers basic questions before an emergency ever occurs:

Who calls 911? Who begins CPR? Who gets the AED? Which entrance should emergency responders use? Who meets the ambulance and directs paramedics to the patient?

Those details can easily become confusing when dozens of students, parents and spectators are standing around during an actual emergency.

Across the country, there has been growing emphasis on cardiac emergency response plans, accessible AEDs at athletic venues and CPR/AED training for coaches and school personnel. Some states have adopted laws requiring combinations of these measures in schools and athletic programs.

An emergency plan doesn’t need to be complicated. It needs to be practiced and understood.

Parents can ask a few simple questions

Morgan’s family encouraged parents to ask whether the people caring for their children know CPR and whether schools and athletic facilities have AEDs available.

Those remain good questions today.

If your child participates in school sports, a recreation league, travel sports or private athletic training, ask where the nearest AED is located. Ask whether coaches are trained in CPR. Ask whether the organization has an emergency action plan.

These aren’t unreasonable questions, and they don’t suggest that youth sports are unsafe.

They are the same kind of preparation we expect for fires, severe weather and other emergencies that we hope never happen.

Morgan continued helping others

There is another part of Morgan’s story that her family wanted people to remember.

Without her parents knowing, Morgan had registered as an organ donor when she received her driver’s license.

After her death, her kidneys and liver were donated, saving three lives, according to the organ recovery organization OneLegacy. Her family also hoped the CPR memorial fund established in her name would help save additional lives by providing training to others.

Morgan’s mother described her daughter as someone who constantly pushed herself and refused to be limited. Her family eventually turned an unimaginable loss into a very practical message for other families.

Know CPR.

Know where the AED is.

And don’t assume that because someone is young and athletic, a cardiac emergency can’t happen.

Most coaches, teachers and parents will never have to perform CPR or use an AED on a young athlete. That’s exactly what everyone hopes for.

But if that day ever comes, knowing what to do before the ambulance arrives can matter enormously.

updated 2026 for content

Why do we Need AED Training?

Do you have to be trained to use an AED?

AEDs are intentionally designed so that a member of the public can follow their instructions during an emergency. You should not avoid using an available AED simply because you aren’t a healthcare professional.

Training still makes a big difference.

A CPR and AED class gives you a chance to actually open a training AED, place the pads, hear its instructions and practice performing CPR at the same time. Whether you’re taking a class in Harrisburg, York, Lancaster, Hershey or another nearby community, that hands-on experience means the first time you touch an AED doesn’t have to be during a real emergency.

Training also covers things that aren’t obvious from looking at the machine, such as recognizing cardiac arrest, performing effective chest compressions, minimizing interruptions in CPR and safely delivering a shock.

Having an AED isn’t enough

Simply buying an AED and hanging it on the wall isn’t much of an emergency plan.

Schools, churches, gyms and businesses throughout Central Pennsylvania should make sure employees and other regular building occupants know where the AED is located. That applies whether the building is in Mechanicsburg, Elizabethtown, Lancaster, York, Hershey, Harrisburg or somewhere in between.

The AED should be easy to reach, clearly marked and available whenever people are using the building.

Someone should also be responsible for checking it periodically. AED electrode pads and batteries don’t last forever.

Think about the practical details. If someone collapsed in your building right now, would people know where the closest AED is? Who would call 911? Who knows CPR? Could someone quickly direct paramedics to the correct entrance?

Those details sound simple until an emergency happens.

CPR and AED Training in Central Pennsylvania

In-Pulse CPR offers hands-on CPR and AED training at locations throughout Central Pennsylvania, including Harrisburg, York, Lancaster, Elizabethtown, Hershey and Mechanicsburg.

Classes are available for healthcare professionals, people who need CPR certification for work, and anyone who simply wants to be better prepared for an emergency.

Public classes give students hands-on practice using CPR manikins and AED training equipment so they can become familiar with what they would actually do during a cardiac emergency. On-site group CPR training is also available for businesses, schools, churches and other organizations throughout the region.

The goal isn’t to turn everyone into a cardiac expert. It is much simpler than that.

Recognize the emergency. Call 911. Start CPR. Get the AED. Follow its instructions.

Those few actions performed quickly can give someone a much better chance of surviving until professional medical help arrives.

To find an upcoming CPR and AED class near you, visit InPulseCPR.com.

 

Sources:

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Automated_external_defibrillator

 

https://pixabay.com/en/photos/?q=using+an+AED+to+save+life&hp=&image_type=all&order=popular&cat=&min_width=&min_height=

 

AED Misconceptions: What People Often Get Wrong About Defibrillators

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