BLS Training for Kids: Things To Keep In Mind

Things to keep in mind, while giving basic life support (BLS) training to kids:

Discuss safety around the house – Kids may have a hard time grasping concepts about ocean safety or injuries that can occur while climbing a mountain. Keep your lesson easy for children to understand by discussing safety at home. Take a tour of your home together and talk about the possible injuries that can happen in each room, like burns or choking in the kitchen, and cuts in the garage. This allows children to see how accidents can happen right at home and they can see the hazards that are present every day.

Explore a first aid kit – Purchase a first aid kit, or assemble one together, and go through the contents with your child. For each item, explain what it is and encourage your child to think of a time when they would need to use that item. Teach them how to use each item in the kit and show them where you store it so they can easily access it in an emergency.

Brainstorm emergency situations – Many kids have a difficulty understanding the idea that first aid emergencies can happen to them or to the people they know. Spend time with your child talking about some of the common emergencies that can happen, like drowning, burns, heart attack, or heavy bleeding. Let your child contribute their own ideas so they are part of the conversation.

Teach kids to use the phone – In today’s world, most parents each have their own cell phone and many households do not have a landline. Younger children may not know how to use either type of phone and it’s important for them to have a lesson so they can call for help if needed. Teach them how to dial 911 and show them which buttons to press on the phone to make a call. Have them call a friend or relative on a regular basis so they have real experience using the phone.

Use videos to teach techniques – Many children respond better to visual lessons than they do to simply listening to you talk about first aid. There are plenty of great resources online or on YouTube where you and your child can watch first aid videos together. Look for videos created specifically for children to make sure they can understand the content and get the most benefit from what they see.

Practice makes perfect – Talking about first aid is one thing, but doing it is a different experience. Use a doll or stuffed toy to demonstrate first aid techniques to children and have them practice these skills themselves.

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Challenges and Benefits of e-Learning CPR Classes

 

Challenges Associated With e-Learning CPR Classes:

Online learning is quite beneficial to many. It however posses a set of challenges to the learner and the institution. Some of these challenges include:

• Need for Discipline:

Online learning requires proper time management and self discipline. The flexibility of the course leaves learners too relaxed that many who enroll for the program don’t finish. Learning institutions also face related challenges of learners not finishing their training and others taking longer than necessary to attain their certification. 

• Need for Interactive Learning Environment:

The interaction found in a classroom setting makes the learning process less fun. Learners are not able to actively engage their tutors. There is also less motivation among learners and their teacher. The learning environment is not challenging as students don’t compete among themselves.

• Customized CPR and first aid training for different professions:

The level of need for CPR and first aid skills differs from one profession to another. Training institutions are currently customizing the training content to match the needs for different professions. The training programs are designed depending on the nature of work and risks involved. There are first aid and CPR programs for healthcare providers such as doctors, nurses, emergency response teams and hospital staff. Other professions with special CPR and first aid programs include lifeguards, security guards, drivers, teachers, flight attendants, care givers for the elderly and nannies among others.  Advantages realized from the customized CPR and first aid programs include:

• The development of a more focused program:

The special CPR and first aid courses provide skills that are more relevant to the learner. The level of skill and knowledge offered is also deeper as compared to the general certification programs.

The training is more specific to the needs of the learners in that particular profession. Those taking the program are also at an advantage as they acquire more useful skills, which they can apply in their daily lives. The content provided is of higher quality as learners get information that of better quality which they can relate with. 

• Employers providing training for their staff:

Customized certifications create better and more cost effective avenues  make employers in the development of their staff. Employers are now encompassing first aid and CPR certifications in their staff development programs to provide knowledge and as a way of motivating their employees at work. Health emergencies are common at the work place. They could be in the form of accidents and heart attacks. Employers are required by the law to have some safety measures in place and training programs to ensure employee safety as they carry out their normal duties. While some employers make it a basic requirement for their employees to have these certifications, others provide the training at their own cost. 

Benefits of Online CPR Classes:

• Preventable health emergencies at the work place can be avoided before they occur. 
• Organizations with first aid certified employees are at a lower risk of employee injury and related costly law suits. 
• Employees can also ensure their own safety as they undertake their routine tasks. 
• They also feel safe at the work place as accidents are kept at minimum. As employees feel safer at their places of work, their productivity increases.
• In case health emergencies occur, the staff are skilled on how to act. Fatalities are reduced as employees take care of their colleagues in emergency situations.
• Health emergencies are also handled in a more professional way without causing damages to the image of the institution. Injuries at the work place can taint the public perception of the institution which can affect business negatively.
• Some institutions provide CPR and first aid training for their staff at the cost of the institution which creates employee loyalty and good will.

 

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5 Benefits of CPR Training for Employees at Workplace

 

1. Empowering: Through CPR training employees will feel empowered by being able to lend a helping hand and rescue a coworker. Through CPR training employee will gain confidence to perform CPR and manage emergency situation accordingly. To be able to take the CPR lessons outside the workplace will gain you the confidence to be able to help strangers on the street outside of the workplace.
2. Knowledge: Employees will learn specific knowledge through the CPR classes such as what’s inside a First aid kit. They will be informed on vocabulary and techniques to use when performing CPR which they wouldn’t have known otherwise.
3. Survival Rate: Through CPR classes employees will retain the knowledge to help if an employees were to stop breathing or went into cardiac arrest. CPR trained employees will be able to react and perform CPR immediately which will increase their chance of survival.
4. Respect: CPR certification not only brings empowered, knowledge and higher survival rate but also respect from friends, family and employees. With your CPR certification your colleagues will trust and rely on you in emergency situation which can make you feel important and responsible.
5. Positive work environment: By making CPR readily available to employees, employers can show their workplace that they care and provide a safe work environment. CPR classes also create an excellent team-building exercise to boost employees morale.

Also Read- What Every Professional Needs to Know About First Aid in Our Daily Life?

CPR training can saves lives and by taking life-saving classes their is an increase chance of the person survival. It significantly reduces the risk of person`s suffering damage to his/her heart, brain and other vital organs. CPR can keep the body oxygenated until professional medical help arrives.

It’s important to hire the right people to train employee for the CPR classes. By hiring a team of experts who provide corporate CPR certification will be beneficial and provide the right training and knowledge to the employees. A professional team will come to your job site to provide CPR classes to all employees. They will be able to tailor the lessons to each employee and give one on one attention to each employee to make sure they are retaining and absorbing the information.

Enroll Now for Online CPR/AED Training and Certification Classes at just $19.99.

New Guidelines for Performing CPR to COVID-19 Patients

It is vital to ensure the safety of the rescuer while providing the utmost care to the victim. The American heart association, alongside other bodies, have provided a new set of guidelines when performing CPR to Covid-19 victims:

• With the prevalence of Covid-19, health workers are reluctant to provide CPR to cardiac arrest victims. However, it is essential to note that not every cardiac arrest victim is infected with Covid-19.
• For essential life support, prioritize hands-only CPR — Hands-only CPR is safer. However, health workers should wear full PPE (personal protective equipment).
• When performing CPR, first cover the victim’s mouth and nose with a piece of cloth or towel. In hospitalized care, Covid-19 patients who experience cardiac arrest should be resuscitated and defibrillated.
• Use the AED as soon as it is available to improve the outcome. Studies show that the AED doesn’t increase aerosol generation.
• Don’t leave anything at risk with the use of personal protective equipment. PPE is critical for health workers or rescuers taking care of Covid-19 patients. Before accessing the scene, all rescuers should wear the recommended PPE as per the institutional guidelines. These include: gowns, gloves, eye protection, and respirators.
• Mechanical CPR devices should be used instead of manual machines as this will reduce the number of professionals required to attend to a specific patient.
• The healthcare workers performing resuscitation procedures should be minimized as well as those entering isolation rooms. It helps in the reduction of the rate of exposure to the virus.
• The AHA recommends that doors remain closed during resuscitation to minimize the spread of the virus to the surrounding space.
• New healthcare workers arriving at the scene should be made aware of the Covid-19 status of the victim. Communication should be made to all health workers working in the facility. When calling for emergency response teams, the responder should also notify them if the patient has been found to have the infection.
• To reduce aerosolizing effects, intubated patients should remain in mechanical ventilators with high-efficiency particulate air filters (HEPA). It helps reduce the impact of aerosolization and maintains a closed circuit.
• The ventilation should be adjusted to pressure control mode. The fraction of inspired oxygen (FiO2) should also be adjusted to 0.1. The pressure should also be adjusted to allow for the necessary chest rise, adults to 6Ml/kg and 4–6Ml/kg for neonatal.
• Intubation procedures are highly aerosol-generating. The health care provider recommended that the health care provider use a cuffed endotracheal tube connected to a ventilator with a HEPA filter in the exhaled gas path and an inline suction catheter. The resulting circuit is safer and less likely to generate aerosol.

Read the complete article here.

 

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Benefits of Learning CPR

Below infographics shows some of the key data points that shows, every individual should learn CPR.

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Why First Aid/CPR Certification a Musts for Yoga Teachers?

Benefits of CPR/ First Aid for Yoga Teacher

CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) involves mainly chest compressions. CPR has been practiced for decades across the world the lives of many people. The process of performing quality CPR requires skills and hands-on experience. Alongside the chest compressions, cardiac arrest victims need rescue breathing and the administration of AED to revive the heart and regain normal breath.

Yoga teachers should possess skills for managing health emergencies that they are likely to encounter in their line of duty. Specific emergencies cases are critical, demanding quick first aid and a trip to the hospital. Such emergencies include incidents of sudden cardiac arrest, fainting, bleeding, fractures, injuries to the head and other body parts. 

Cardiac arrest victim requires immediate calls for emergency help and administration of CPR. As a yoga teacher, you can’t always count on someone else to be present every time such happens. For this reason, yoga teachers should possess CPR certification. The training covers the essential information relating to cardiac arrest. Trainees learn the causes and early signs of cardiac arrest. The knowledge is critical for yoga teachers in keeping their clients safe from such incidents. CPR certified yoga teacher can detect the first signs of cardiac arrest and take the necessary steps in managing the victim, preventing fatalities and cases of permanent brain damage.

In cardiac arrest, the victim’s heart stops beating, and they are unable to breathe normally. The episode might develop gradually or kick in instantly. Yoga teachers should be able to tell a victim that’s experiencing a heart attack for those of fainting. The CPR certification course offers skills in assessing signs of life. CPR applies to unresponsive and breathing persons. Yoga trainers who are always on sight should listen in to the victim to check if they are breathing and call emergency response with details of the event.

CPR training offers knowledge on the essential steps of responding to cardiac arrest to increase the chances of survival. The course covers how to give CPR to infants, adults and children. Victims of cardiac arrest are usually going low on oxygen because they are not getting, and their heart is not pumping blood. The risk of death is very high if the victim doesn’t receive the required assistance. The victim’s blood still has oxygen which can sustain them for a few minutes.

As the yoga teacher awaits emergency help, they should be performing chest compressions on the victim at a rate of 100-120 per minute. The chest compressions give the individual an artificial heartbeat that pumps blood throughout the victim’s body. The brain is one of the most critical organs in the body. With an unlimited supply of oxygen, the brain is likely to get permanently damaged, and the victim dies within minutes. The performance of CPR doubles the chances of survival of cardiac arrest victims.

Rescue breathing is also another emergency practice under CPR and First Aid training. Victims of cardiac arrest are in dire need of oxygen. Giving rescue breaths to an individual provides artificial ventilation increasing the oxygen supply in the blood. CPR certification training course provides participants with skills on how to perform both CPR and rescue breathing to save the lives of cardiac arrest.

The use of the AED device is another skill taught in CPR certification course. The exclusive performance of CPR alongside rescue breathing doesn’t revive cardiac arrest victims. The AED is an essential device for restoring the normal heart functions in cardiac arrest victims. The tool automatically detects the condition of the heart of the victim and delivers electric shocks where necessary.

Some victims fall in sudden cardiac arrest without showing any symptoms. The common signs of cardiac signs as covered within CPR course include shortness of breath/ gasping of air, palpitations, discomfort within the chest, stomach and shoulder, dizziness and unconsciousness. Yoga teachers need to be a wee of the signs and call for emergency response as soon as a client starts showing related symptoms.

Yoga activities may be too intense for some high-risk persons. For this reason, the teacher needs to get the medical history of clients. Client’s with heart problems should consult their doctor who should give guidance on the kind of activities safe for them. A CPR certified yoga teacher can know the limitation of actions such clients can engage in and prevent fatalities. Lack of such knowledge can lead to legal suits. Such can happen when a client with a history of heart conditions, among other illnesses gets sick of dies while practicing yoga.

First Aid Training for Yoga Teachers

First Aid training offers skills on the law of good Samaritan, which protects persons who inflict intentional injuries as they attempt to provide emergency help to victims. The knowledge is essential for yoga teachers as they are aware of their rights when taking care of medical emergencies involving their clients. The training also offers insight on the extent to which yoga teachers can go in providing help to clients who experience health-related emergencies.

First aid training is fundamental for yoga teachers as specific injuries are bound to happen at the practice. The first aid certification program offers skills and knowledge on the management of specific injuries such as how to control bleeding. Over bleeding can lead to fatalities related to excessive loss of blood. The ability to control the bleeding of a client, whether nose bleeding or otherwise can make the difference between life and death.

Sprains and muscle injuries are among the common injuries that occur during yoga. The treatment of such injuries might not require specialized treatment. First aid training offers both skills and knowledge on how to control and manage these injuries. Giving first aid to clients is one-way yoga teachers create confidence and credibility with clients.

The management of fractures can be challenging. First aid training offers knowledge and skills in the management of fractures and broken bones. Such incidents are possible while practicing yoga. The training provides expertise in the signs of fractures and broken bones. The ability of a yoga teacher to recognize the signs of broken bones and fractures helps them determine when to call for an ambulance. The movement of victims with broken bones should is not appropriate as it can lead to further injuries. However, without training, it would be difficult to recognize the signs of broken bones from sprains and muscle injuries.

The occurrence of emergencies demands for people to act promptly with the necessary assistance. However, uncoordinated aid can do more harm than good. CPR and First Aid Certification course train on the importance of working as teams in rescue operations. Participants learn the different roles of team members in various emergencies. The training helps participants learn how to lead teams in reversible roles. First aid situations require taking the initiative and acting fast to save lives, reduce suffering or pain and treatment.

Other skills offered in first aid training include how to handle burns, heat-related illnesses, animal and insect bites, poisoning and among others.

The skills and knowledge in first aid training provide the necessary confidence a yoga teacher needs to handle health emergencies effectively. Wrong management of specific health situations such as wounds can worsen wounds, for instance. As an instructor, the teacher is expected to remain calm and reassure clients who get injured. The CPR and first aid training offer the necessary techniques on how to stay contained at the face of crisis. CPR trained yoga teachers more confident when dealing with health emergencies as they are aware of what the victim is going through and how to manage efficiently. Though not compulsory, yoga teachers need to have CPR and First Aid Certification. Moreover, it is difficult to secure a good job without it.

Enroll Now for Online CPR/AED Training and Certification Classes at just $19.99.

The post originally published here.

Why Security Guards Should be CPR Trained?

CPR and first aid training are quite advantageous for security guards. Being on fulltime surveillance, security guards can take control of emergencies by taking up the necessary initiative in saving lives. For this reason, most companies and organizations will prefer to have CPR and first aid trained security guards. Persons interested in security guard CPR classes can easily register for online CPR certification. There is a wide range of reasons as to why CPR and first aid training is necessary for the daily duties of a security guard.

Which Jobs Requires CPR Certification?

The following videos shows the type of jobs that requires the CPR certification:

To learn more about the CPR training and certification course, see http://www.mycprcertificationonline.com.

Key CPR Steps for COVID-19 Patients

The procedure of performing CPR on COVID- 19 patients

The human blood has enough oxygen to keep the person alive for close to an hour. Through the performance of CPR, the blood is kept in circulation, keeping the major body organs alive.

If the rescuer is untrained on CPR or experiences challenges in issuing rescue breaths, it is advisable to give chest compressions only. When performing CPR, there is a risk of contracting the quickly spreading coronavirus. The virus is transmittable by either the person giving CPR or the one receiving. It is practical to take up safety measures when performing CPR to unknown persons.

Recognizing signs of life in a cardiac arrest victim

With the outbreak of the virus, you should avoid using the known ways of checking for signs of life. The rescuer should avoid placing their ears and cheeks close to the victim’s mouth to check for breathing. In this case, you should tap the victim’s shoulder and try talking to them to see if they’ll respond. If the rescuer is in doubt about the signs of life, they should immediately call for help and begin on the chest compressions.

Performing CPR

The CPR hands-only procedure involves giving compressions use of the heels of the hands. First, move the victim to safety if need be and lay them on their back. The compression should be performed the chest right between the nipples at a rate of 100-120 chest compressions per minute. The recommended pressure on the chest should push to a depth of 5-6cm.

The rescuer should keep performing the chest compressions until the victim recovers, emergency response take over, the victim is pronounced dead, or their lives are at risk. Performing CPR will help keep the blood flowing to the vital organs by creating an artificial heartbeat.

Performing CPR to children and infants

The caretaker of children should always be on the watch out for signs of the coronavirus. If a child or infant experiences difficulty in breathing, the caregiver should call for help and start on CPR within the shortest time possible. However, if untrained, the individual should rush the child to the hospital before he or she progresses into a cardiac arrest.

When performing CPR on children and infants, the chest compressions are similar to those of adults except less pressure is applied. For infants and children, the pressure applied on the chest compressions should not exceed 1.5 inches deep. The rescuer can use three fingers to provide the chest compressions.

Giving CPR and rescue breaths

The performance of rescue breaths helps in supplying the victim with oxygen through the lungs wherever the individual has difficulty breathing or stops breathing altogether. CPR alongside rescue breaths helps in keeping the victim alive. The rescuer should give 30 fast chest compressions at a rate of 100-120 compressions per minute and two rescue breaths alternatively, repeating the cycle till health professional take over or the victim regains normal breathing. After delivering the first rescue breath, the chest of the victim should rise. Failure to raise will mean that there is an obstruction in the airway of the victim. If you are unable to get rid of the blockage, the rescuer should keep giving the chest compressions.

For children and infants victims, the rescuer should avoid breathing too hard into them and use the cheek size pressure.

Traditionally, this procedure involves breathing directly into the victim’s mouth or nose. This practice might be risky with strangers and persons suffering from the coronavirus. Barriers are beneficial for personal safety when giving rescue breaths. If unable to access it, give chest compressions till help arrives.

The use of AED

However, CPR and rescue breaths alone cannot restore the heartbeat. The automated external defibrillator is applied to a cardiac arrest victim to deliver electric current to the victim’s heart. If the rescuers have access to AED and the skills, make use of the device as it increases the chances of survival of the victim. Using the AED machine does not increase the risk of acquiring the coronavirus.

The AED is used to revive cardiac arrest victims by delivering shocks to the heart, which help restore its normal functioning. When the heart stops pumping blood, it undergoes some stages before it dies completely. For an individual experiencing cardiac arrest, the heart’s pace is too fast, too slow, or irregular. The states classified as ventricular fibrillation (Vf), non-perfusing ventricular tachycardia(VT) and Asystole. The automated defibrillator can detect if the heart rhythms are shockable. If the heart is in Asystole, shocking, it will not revive the patient.

Use of personal protective equipment PPE

The rescuer should make use of personal protective equipment if accessible. Such include medical masks, gloves, face shield\goggles, and protective gowns. After use, the rescuer should remove the personal protective equipment appropriately and dispose of as required. Upon taking off the protective gear, the rescuer should wash hands thoroughly with soap and water.

Hygiene practices to prevent the spread of the COVID -19 virus(Coronavirus)

After performing CPR, the rescuer should wash hands thoroughly with soap and water. Alternatively, the individual can make use of alcohol-based hand gel to sanitize their hands.

Read the complete article at CPR Select.

CPR Myths – Everyone Should Know

Here are some of the myths that surround the practice and training of CPR certification:

1. CPR Learning Needs Professionalism

A lot of people have been misguided into the thoughts that you have to be a doctor or a practitioner in paramedics for you to learn CPR. We tend to believe that when it comes to saving lives, a doctor should be present or actively involved. This illusion has led to the loss of life that could have otherwise been saved with simple steps and strategies taught during CPR certification classes.

If we think of ourselves as saviours to an extent, then we might discover the advantages of getting trained in performing CPR the right way. The truth is, attending classes of CPR certification can be done by anyone regardless of the profession you are in. All that is needed is a willing person, a certified trainer and a center. This way, the rates of deaths as a result of cardiac arrest will be minimized.

2. CPR Can Cause Injuries

The performance of the CPR involves exerting pressure on the chest of the victim of cardiac arrest and sometimes the use of the mouth-to-mouth method. These acts are meant to introduce air into the lungs and hence prompt breathing. This pressure can cause some bruising or injury of the lungs. The same situation can somehow be applied to when medicating a patient using needles; they may get sore skin at the point of injection but it’s on the way of recovery.

Yes, the injuries do and may occur. But these injuries heal with time and the big picture is that a life is saved that would have otherwise succumbed to death in the absence of the CPR.

3. It Is Barely a Necessity

It is not every day that you will encounter a patient who will require CPR, so why bother? It is assumed that medical emergencies that may require CPR certified personnel rarely happen and when/if they do, they require the attention of a certified medical practitioner. Just because you don’t meet people in need of CPR and first aid attention doesn’t make the skill lose its value.

According to the research carried out by AHA, more than ¾ per cent of the cardiac arrest cases are likely to die due to lack of timely response. Lack of timely response is caused by lack of interest when it comes to training. If more people will show interest in attaining physical or online CPR certification, then we will have more certified individuals which will lead to saving more lives.

4. Mouth-To-Mouth Resuscitation Is a Mandatory Practice In CPR

If you have gone to a certified center or taken CPR online certification from reliable organization/trainer, you will know that that performance of CPR will involve the use of hands to exert pressure and mouth to mouth resuscitation. CPR is performed to introduce more air into the lungs to attain regularized breathing.

Most people have been misguided into believing that mouth to mouth is mandatory and thus are afraid of being exposed to germs and diseases. As a certified CPR practitioner, you are allowed to perform hand-only CPR as long as it saves lives. In case of mouth to mouth practice, there are protective that can be used.

5. A One-Time CPR Certification Is Enough

How many times should you attend CPR certification classes? There have been several myths and stories told in regard to this question. The truth is, attending a physical or online CPR certification class is a bold and rather very important move. It is important to note that once you have heard your first CPR training and certification class, you will require annual refresher courses.

This is important to ensure that when the CPR is performed, it is done in the right away to avoid accidents, injuries or even death. It also keeps you updated as a person that can perform CPR.

6. Legal Woes In Case Of Injuries or Death

Sometimes the best efforts of trying to save lives may lead to casualties instead. Many people have used this idea to scare off those who will like to take part in CPR classes. In the pursuit of good acts to saves lives and situations, accidents happen. And sometimes, the situation cannot be saved despite all the efforts put in place.

The law recognizes good deeds and therefore shouldn’t be a reason for a person not to help in situations where death is a viable option. You can never be blamed for trying to save a life.

7. You Can Take a Full CPR Certification Online

The beauty of the internet generation is the availability of all the necessary information needed online. All the resources including the information needed to perform CPR properly are found online. Some videos provide a step by step guidance on the same. Some of the organizations have gone a step further to being able to provide an online tutor for the students.

The internet has made online CPR certification easy and convenient. Whilst this gives the student exposure to the theoretical aspect, a physical class is advised as a way of getting practical lessons on a person or by using a mannequin.

The post originally published on USCPROnline.com.