Should You Undergo CPR Training?

Many individuals believe that Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) Training is not necessary since there will always be rescuers who will make haste to their locations whenever emergency situations arise. However, there are several good reasons why CPR Training is one that you should seriously consider undergoing.

Living in Remote Locations

If you are living in a remote location and an emergency arises, such as a sudden heart attack or an untoward accident, the possibility of help arriving immediately is seemingly remote. In such a case, knowledge of CPR will prove useful. A minute or two of CPR may just spell the difference between saving the life of a loved one and simply waiting for the worst to come.

Fatal Accidents

Accidents are called as such because they happen when you least expect them. When these incidents occur it is better to be armed with skills gained from the proper CPR Training as your presence might be the key in saving someone’s life.

The basic CPR, which involves successive chest compressions of about 100/minute can be done by any individual even with the slightest training. This method would only require you to put both hands, locked together, in the middle of the chest of the victim and continuously pump it to the tune of “Stayin Alive.” The more advanced CPR method, administered by trained individuals, involves giving rescue breaths in between pumps.

So if you happen to witness an accident and the victim’s heart has stopped beating, it would be crucial to administer any type of CPR, whether the basic hands-only CPR or the more advanced one until help arrives.

Predisposition to Heart Attack

If it would seem that your ascendants or most family members have died due to a heart attack or a Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA), then it becomes a must for you to undergo CPR Training. Victims of SCA normally lose consciousness immediately and their hearts would simply stop beating. When this happens, aside from calling 911, administer CPR without a second thought. Recent studies have shown that administering CPR longer than 30 minutes increases the chances of survival of the victim.

One can see that CPR training is not just a luxury, but a necessity. Even if your circumstance does not fall in any of the three above, your knowledge in CPR will certainly help save lives comes the time that somebody would need it. The life that you save might even be that of a friend or family.

If you are looking for a CPR training center where you can get your certification, you might want to consider Citywide CPR.

Be In The Know Of The Latest CPR Approach

Alarmingly, 88 percent of cardiac arrest happen in homes. This is why anyone is encouraged to learn how to do CPR or Cardiopulmonary resuscitation. It is an emergency procedure performed to provide a trickle of oxygenated blood to the brain and heart and vital organs until defibrillation can be performed.

Cardiac arrest occurs when electrical impulses in the heart become chaotic or rapid that causes the heart to suddenly stop beating, a heart attack on the other hand, occurs when the blood supply to a heart muscle is blocked and it may cause cardiac arrest. Statistically, four out of five cardiac arrests happen at home.

It is important to understand that CPR does not automatically restart a heart. While performing CPR, you are manually pumping blood through the heart, which is important for someone experiencing cardiac arrest. If a ventricular fibrillation occurs with no CPR or AED administered within 10 minutes, chances of survival is significantly low. Hence, is CPR is administered immediately, a patient’s rate of survival doubles, even triples.

CPR: The New Approach

CPR was first introduced in the form of mouth to mouth resuscitation and then later developed into what would become one of the basic first aid practices. Before CPRs are done in an ABC Approach that stands for Airway, Breathing and Circulation. However, the current process follows a CAB Approach. The patient will experience delay in breathing for approximately 18 seconds in this new process but circulation through compressions is more vital than addressing breathing or airway.

Thirty compressions are immediately provided, then the patient’s head is tilted to open the airway, then gives two breaths. The current process has removed Cricoid Pressure that involves applying pressure to the windpipe while breathing on them. Studies have shown this practice is difficult for rescuers to perform besides this action does not make much of a difference.

CPR can be physically exhausting for a rescuer and since CPR has to be done continuously until AED is made available. If another person is present to help give CPR, you can switch out every two minutes.

The rescuer should place the heel of one hand on the center of the victim’s chest and the other hand right on top of the other with the fingers intertwined. From 1 ½ inches deep, the current guidelines have changed it to 2 inches. This is to pump enough blood while the AED is on its way. A rate of at least 100 compressions per minute has to be delivered. In place of breathing for the victim, high quality compressions must be given until professional rescue arrives.

A total of two breaths should be given to the patient and then the rescuer must immediately start chest compressions. A cycle of 30 impressions and 2 breaths should be continued until help arrives.

With more research on human body discovering new and profound data on how to treat problems, CPR standards will continue to evolve to increase the rate of survival in cardiac arrest. One must be knowledgeable about the latest approach in CPR to save more lives.

Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation for Heart Attacks: Causes and Symptoms

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation is one of the most important basic first aid actions to undertake for people who are suffering a heart attack. Knowledge of the maneuver can be of great help in the event that someone is experiencing heart attack to help the probability of revival and survival.

Heart attacks are one of the biggest killers of the world. Many countries, both developed and undeveloped, have heart attack as one of the top ten causes of death in their citizens. There are a lot of causes of heart attacks. The most natural cause of heart attack is a weak heart, something that is acquired on birth. A weak heart, combined with stress and shock, can easily put a person under cardiac arrest. One other reason, which is less natural, is the bad lifestyle and habits of the person. The intake of lots of fats and oils can affect the integrity of blood vessels, clogging blood flow, increasing blood pressure, and can ultimately lead to the stop of blood flow. These are just two of a myriad of reasons that causes heart attacks.

Knowing the causes is one way to prevent a heart attack. Avoiding too much heart-attack inducing food is one way, the other is avoiding too much stress. Even with avoidance, there are still times when heart attacks should be expected. There are signs and symptoms that tell that a heart attack might occur. The term ‘might’ is used because there is no certainty that a heart attack might happen, as these signs and symptoms are mostly common enough for most unfit people. Having chest pains is one of the most common symptom of heart attacks. Shortness of breath, too much sweat and fatigue could all signify that the person might be close to experiencing a heart attack.

For those that are able to detect and recognize the onset of these symptoms, partnered with the knowledge of the person’s history or lifestyle, one can deduce if a person is susceptible in experiencing a heart attack. With the knowledge of an expected heart attack, even with a little chance, there are times when getting proper CPR training can be helpful in the long run.

Training for CPR can be done as fast as an hour or as long as a month. The skill that you will get will also differ from the time that you can allot for the training period. There are also differences between free trainings and paid trainings, with the availability of qualified personnel to assist you personally, as well as the equipment you can use for the training period. More practice and more time given to the training will ensure that the technique that you will be able to develop is something that can be really useful if and when the time comes that you will have to use what you have learned. The knowledge of proper pumping and pacing can be the critical aspect in the life or death situation that you may find yourself into.

Comparison of Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation Techniques Between Children and Adults

Cardiac arrest is a serious complication that must be dealt with swiftly to ensure a higher revival and survival rate for the victims of the attack. Heart attack commonly occurs for older people, but sometimes, there are children and even infants that suffer from this illness. Heart attack does not choose its victims, but there are ways in which someone can help the revival of a person that is undergoing sudden cardiac arrest and that is through the administration of cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation is the process of repeated chest compressions along with the inputting of air into a person’s lungs. This seemingly simple maneuver takes a long time to master and to successfully administer, but being able to have rudimentary knowledge is good enough for the layperson. For those truly wanting to know how to perform proper and effective cardiopulmonary resuscitation, a training done under the wing of a professional CPR administrator that has the proper equipment that can help you practice the technique.

There are different ways to administer cardiopulmonary resuscitation, depending on the person involved. Children and infants require special care and technique when administering cardiopulmonary resuscitation due to the current density of their bones. There is a difference in the way the chest compression is facilitated. There is only a set number of inches that you can compress a child or an infant’s chest before possible damage. Although the damage is also present when chest compressions are administered, there is a bigger leeway for chest compressions, making it more thorough.

Children and infant chest compressions, when done thoroughly could break the ribs and pierce internal organs of the children and infants. Taking special care to have the right force to have sufficient chest compressions to be effective without breaking anything is hard. With the right training for the persons involved, anyone can be able to utilize proper chest compressions for infants, children and adults as well.

The most important difference when administering cardiopulmonary resuscitation for children, infants, and adults is the way the palm and the wrist are placed. Children require the use of the heel from one or two hands for the chest compression. Infants only require the use of fingers for the right force to be applied. For adults, proper chest compressions require the use of both hands in fist form.

There are risks when administering CPR for anyone, and that is the risk of vomiting. This is the most common risk. The way to go around the problem is by tilting the head of the victim to the side so that the pathway of the breath is cleared. Always sweep or wipe off the vomit so that you can continue the CPR and breathing in the person. Children are also susceptible to vomiting, so make sure that persons administering chest compressions know these risks to make sure that the path of air is not blocked, making any and all effort for chest compressions useless.

Proper training is one of the most important thing to have when it comes to administering cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

Administering CPR and AED to Children

Children, although young and healthy, are still susceptible to a number of cardiovascular problems. There are children born with defects due to the improper development of parts of their cardiovascular system, commonly called as congenital heart defects. There are also those that develop heart diseases as they grow up. Some of the most common heart diseases that children are susceptible to developing are mostly acquired due to other complications. Some of these include Kawasaki disease, rheumatic heart diseases, and heart diseases caused by childhood obesity.

Congenital defects are different from heart diseases as congenital defects do not develop due to external factors, unlike the diseases. The Kawasaki diseases is caused by an unknown infectious agent and is acquired by young children. The rheumatic heart disease is caused by rheumatic fever and affects the heart of children that are not treated quickly. All these diseases can cause sudden cardiac arrest.

With the increasing number of children being affected by heart diseases, it is time that people be informed of techniques and procedures in applying cardiopulmonary resuscitation and using an automatic external defibrillator for children. It is important to note that there are major differences between administering CPR and AED to children, infants, and adults. These differences can spell the effectiveness and possible injury that can be acquired by children and infants.

Administering CPR

For starters, administering CPR for children does not require the same force needed for adult CPR. The anatomy of children is significantly different from that of an adult, so the necessary compression of 2 inches is not recommended. Doing so may result in more damage that could complicate problems. As someone who is administering CPR, you can decrease the force you are applying by using only a single hand to proceed with the compressions. Other than the force, you must be careful in positioning the body of children or infants before compressions, as it is important that their airways are clear.

Utilizing AED

Automatic external defibrillators produce a charge that is powerful enough to shock a grown man’s heart back into beating. This means that this amount of energy may be too much for the body of a child, much more to an infant. This means that you must be able to properly use an AED that can make it useful for a child without charging up the body of the victim with too much electricity. This can be done by reading the quick rescue tips written in some AEDs, or if it has voice function, listening to the instructions for use on children and infants.

To get more information regarding the use of CPR and AED for children and infants, as well as to receive proper instruction, it is best to find a training center near you, and informing the trainer or those in charge of the training of your goal of learning CPR and AED to perform on children and infants. This way, you can get hands-on experience on performing CPR, even if the victims are only mannequins to practice on. You can also consult with experts regarding the do’s and don’ts of CPR and AED administration on children and infants.

Carrying AEDs on the Road

Automatic external defibrillators are portable versions of the defibrillator. Defibrillators are known to be necessary equipment when it comes to saving victims of sudden cardiac arrest. Now, people can get this medical technology on the road with them anywhere they go. This means that anyone can have the capacity of learning and utilizing the automatic external defibrillator anywhere they go.

Having an AED can be your civic duty. Carrying one is much like carrying a fire extinguisher every time you are on the road. With heart attacks as one of the leading causes of death in the country, carrying an AED with you may just as well save lives. The best part about having an AED is the ease of use that it features, making it an equipment that even first time users can easily manage.

The automatic external defibrillator works by sending a shock to the chest area of a victim of sudden cardiac arrest. The shock is supposed to return the regular beating of the heart, from erratic or stopped status. After the shock, CPR should be administered as well, to keep the blood pumping throughout the body, the brain, and the heart muscles. This way, the body is kept alive, so that when the advanced life support rolls in, there is a much higher chance that the victim will be revived.

If you have an AED and you are susceptible to heart diseases, then you can have it with you all the time. If the most unfortunate event of you suffering a sudden cardiac arrest happens, you can simply point to the AED for someone to administer a shock to you. The same can be said if you are the one witnessing the cardiac arrest. By being level-headed and able to

Truckers can benefit from getting an AED, as the lifestyle of trucking exposes them to more causes of heart attack, such as extreme fatigue, heat, and the lack of exercise and healthy meals. With an AED on board, the chance of revival for cardiac arrests becomes higher and more likely to happen. With proper coordination with advanced life support teams, deaths from heart attacks can definitely decrease.

There are different models of automatic external defibrillators to choose from. As a purchaser, you have to find the right one for your need. An AED is called as such because it is automatic and external. Automatic because it can easily adjust to the need, such as the amount of energy to output depending on the vital signs of the victim. There are also some of these models which have very specific instructions regarding the type of victim, and the circumstances regarding the heart attack. This means that for those that are not too familiar with using a defibrillator, it is a big help to find one with support and an easy to understand manual, because during times when quick action is necessary, reading a convoluted manual can decrease the chances of survival. Find out which model is right for travelling, and for your experience level when it comes to first aid, and your all set to use your AED in case of emergency.

Types of CPR Training to Undergo

There are a lot of reasons why CPR training is essential. There are some jobs that even mandate an applicant to be OSHA certified to know CPR. There is a great need for people who can respond quickly in time of need, and as a citizen in this great country, we should be able to help those in need. This is why there is a necessity to undergo CPR training and certification once you can, to do a great service to the citizens and to this country.

Explaining CPR

CPR is the administration of compressions on the chest area of a victim of sudden cardiac arrest. As one of the most commonly known medical first aid procedures, there is a lot who say that they ‘know’ how to administer CPR, but their knowledge only comes from watching films and shows. Although rudimentary knowledge is still useful, being trained by professionals is always the best option.

Types of CPR Training

There are different types of CPR training to choose from. As someone undertaking this responsible duty, you should take note of the right training program for you. Some of the most common training programs include: certification, simulation, online-only, and classroom setting, among others.

Certification

A certification program for CPR would be an intensive program that would include basic to advanced CPR practice. This can involve a brief history of CPR as well. Most of the lessons here would also require hands-on practice, to ensure that the trainee thoroughly understands and is able to apply the knowledge in real-life situations. This course is facilitated by an instructor with in-depth knowledge of CPR, so that participants may ask questions and understand the procedure and all its intricate details.

Simulation

Simulation involves the use of technology, so that the participants may be able to pinpoint the right location where to administer the pressure, and simulation on how to react regarding different situations. This can be done online at home, making it a quick and easy way of learning about CPR. This can be a precursor to more in-depth CPR training.

Online-Only

This type of CPR training involves the use of the internet and certain applications. This is like a simulation, but in a more in-depth format, making it a better option to take if interested participants do not have the time to go to an actual CPR training facility. This can be facilitated by an instructor as well, although no physical presence is involved.

Classroom-Setting

A classroom setting training would most definitely involve a facilitator leading a class. There is also hands-on training involving mannequins, and this is the most common way of getting a certificate. Incorporating information regarding CPR, knowledge about heart attacks and other forms of heart diseases, as well as knowledge on other first aid techniques, a classroom-setting training will surely give participants all the necessary information as well as hands-on training to get them ready to help in real-life situations.

By getting any of these training programs done, any individual can be of great service to others in their times of need. With the use of these training programs, you can get CPR-certified and be of help to others.

Common Heart Disorders Treated by an Automatic External Defibrillator

In today’s modern age, there are a lot of diseases that have developed due to a change in the lifestyle of the majority. This has allowed the further proliferation of diseases such as cardiac arrhythmia and cardiac arrest. These two diseases can be fatal if no treated immediately.

Cardiac Arrhythmia

Cardiac arrhythmia is a catch-all phrase for the irregular beating of the heart. This involves a heartbeat that speeds up too much – tachycardia, or slows down – bradycardia. These types of arrhythmia are dangerous if left untreated immediately, and can develop into something more fatal down the line.

The symptoms of arrhythmia in general are palpitations and the feeling of a pause in the heartbeat. The victim is the first to detect these symptoms and can ask for help immediately. This is why there is a need for a number of available automatic external defibrillators in most establishments.

Cardiac Arrest

Cardiac arrest is the disease which causes the heart to cease its function. This is brought about by a slew of different reasons. Some of the most common reasons include a stroke, high blood cholesterol, or sudden heart failure. Either way, there is still a chance for the victim to survive if there is someone who is quick enough to respond to the need and assists the victim by providing cardiopulmonary resuscitation and utilizing an automatic external defibrillator to give a shock directly to the patient’s heart.

The presence of automatic external defibrillators helps deal with these heart diseases and provide quick first aid, increasing the chances of revival as soon as advanced life support is available. CPR and AED, if utilized upon witnessing a victim experiencing sudden cardiac arrest or is exhibiting symptoms or arrhythmia, can potentially save lives, decreasing the fatalities claimed by heart diseases.

An automatic external defibrillator works by sending a jolt of electricity to a patient’s chest. This allows the heartbeat to resume regular response. This is because the electric current that flows to the heart sets a standard for all the heart muscles to follow, making the heartbeat contract and release at regular intervals again.

For those attending to victims of sudden cardiac arrest, an AED is not a sure fire way of reviving the victim. The AED may help support the CPR and the revival efforts, but be realistic in your expectations of how an automatic external defibrillator is effective for sudden cardiac arrest patients.

If a lot of establishments in the country adapt and purchase even just a single AED, or better yet, enough to make it accessible all throughout their establishment, then the country will become a much safer place for those who might be susceptible to heart attacks. The possibility of reviving any individual with a heart disease increases significantly with the presence of an AED and trained personnel to administer both this and CPR. With the cooperation of owners, employers, and proprietors all over the country, heart diseases can be combated, and there can be another chance for the patients to change their lifestyle.

CPR and AED Training and Certification for Employers

There is a necessity for CPR and AED training in the event of any emergencies that could occur in the workplace. This is a highly encouraged training that most employees should undergo, as defined by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. Even for companies with low health risks within the workplace, undergoing CPR and AED training and certification is still a necessity.

What is CPR and AED?

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation, commonly known as CPR, is the technique utilized to help victims of sudden cardiac arrest. It is a commonly known procedure that requires applying repeated pressure to the chest area of a victim to ensure that the blood keeps flowing through the body, even if the heart is stopped. This allows blood to deliver oxygen to other parts of the body, the primary function of the heart. In essence, the goal of CPR is keeping blood flow, not reviving a person; although there have been many instances of return of spontaneous circulation.

An Automatic External Defibrillator, commonly known as AED, is a device that helps diagnose the current status of the heart of a patient, from arrhythmias to the lack of a heartbeat, and adjusts accordingly to deliver a shock that could potentially return the beating of the heart of the patient to normal. This is a small and portable device that can be easily carried around. This device is a lightweight version of defibrillators, the machines made popular by medical dramas depicting it as a medium-sized machine that is wheeled around to rooms where patients are undergoing cardiac arrest.

An Employer’s Civic Duty

CPR and AED training therefore, is an essential procedure to undergo to ensure that the workplace is a safe place for everyone within it. It is counted as a civic duty that employers should have their employees undergo. There are certification courses that train individuals more than enough, to become adept in using CPR techniques, and utilizing the AED in times of emergencies. A good employer can partner up with a trusted training institution for CPR and AED use so that the whole company can reap the benefits of readiness, as well as create a healthy and helpful environment for sufferers and those susceptible to heart diseases.

Additionally, employers should have an AED within their premises and establishment at all times. Even with the training, without the actual equipment, there would be no reason for employees to utilize their training on the subject. There are available models of automatic external defibrillator which make it easier to use, and are more portable than others, so it is up to the employer to consult with the experts on AEDs to find out which one is the best for the company.

Knowing about these procedures is not only helpful within the company, it is also a great way of being helpful to others in the outside world. By being able to administer proper CPR and use an AED on a patient, any individual may become the reason why a patient is alive today.

Different Types of First Aid

First aid is a catch-all phrase for the different medical responses for different situations. First aid is usually done to help using only the readily accessible items in the proximity of a medical situation.  First aid is a vital part of every medical situation as fast response always increases the speed of recovery of a patient. Learning first aid is easy, and it is a skill that can be useful in the most critical situations.

Some of the most common first aid procedures are done for some minor situations such as a bone fracture, dislocation, scratches, minor burns, and poisoning, choking, among others.

For injuries concerning the bone, one of the most common first aid procedures involve the creation of a splint which would help keep the bone straight and unmoved. Splints can be created with the help of a straight and sturdy item like a piece of wood, wrapped around the part of the body that has experienced a bone injury. This helps avoid further damage that can occur if the part of the body with the injury is moved.

Dislocation of the joints can be dealt with the help of a sudden strong force to relocate the joint, and this first aid is something that rarely requires any follow-up medical procedures. Scratches are dealt with by using cleaning agents to disinfect the scratch. Burns are dealt with by putting cold water and cooling gels available on the burn area. There are many small acts that can greatly relive pain and injury with the help of first aid knowledge.

Choking is another medical situation dealt with by using the Heimlich Maneuver. This is done to a patient so that the object that is lodged in the windpipe is forcefully removed, with the help of certain motions and the application of force and pressure. This is one first aid procedure that is a potential lifesaver.

There are also first aid procedures for major medical situations. One of the most common first aid procedure is cardiopulmonary resuscitation, shortened as CPR. This is the widely popular first aid done for victims of sudden cardiac arrest and some forms of arrhythmia. This is a type of CPR that may require training, although there have been instances where untrained people have successfully administered CPR. Unlike most of the first aid procedures stated earlier, CPR does not necessarily cure the problem during its administration. There are recorded incidents where there is a Return of Spontaneous Circulation or ROSC – meaning the patient has successfully regained a stable heartbeat –  but the primary function of CPR is to continue the flow of the heart and delivery of oxygen to stop the decay of the heart tissue and the brain.

While most of the minor first aid procedures stated above can be done without proper training, practice can still play an important part in the success of a person’s administration of these first aid. As for CPR, training is a big factor in the success of the administration, as it is truly a critical first aid procedure.