Practical answers on CPR, first aid, and emergency preparedness.
Browse our in-depth guides ↓The heart and the entire circulatory system responsible for moving blood throughout the body are part of the cardiovascular system. As the heart beats in the chest, it pushes blood out throu...
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The heart is an amazing organ that works hard to keep people alive and healthy. It is one of the most important organs in the human body because it is responsible for the flow of blood tha.....
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A Comprehensive Overview of Mental Health Disorders Resources for Patients, Families and Healthcare Providers Mental health disorders can have a seismic effect on the lives of individuals as...
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Here are some common misconceptions and fears that keep people from providing lifesaving care when the chips are down.
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The BLS CPR algorithm is the basic protocol for performing CPR to an unresponsive victim. It’s the definition of high-quality, effective-as-possible CPR.
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Bloodborne Pathogens: What are they? Bloodborne pathogens, infectious microorganisms, are found in human blood that can lead to disease in humans. These microorganisms include but are not...
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Influenza, which is commonly known as the flu, is a contagious viral disease. Most people are familiar with the flu and have had it at some point in their lives. In fact, it is so common tha...
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It’s one of the biggest fears laypeople have about delivering CPR—what if you actually do more damage to the patient than good? What if you break a rib? It does happen—and more often than yo...
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Rescue breathing is a component of CPR—and for some, it’s an off-putting one. Also called “mouth-to-mouth resuscitation,” rescue breathing was once taught as part of every CPR class. However...
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If you work in a field where lifesaving training is needed, this may have happened to you: you apply for a job that asks for BLS certification—and you wonder if your CPR certification qualif...
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We often get asked the question—what’s the ideal depth for CPR chest compressions? The answer is no deeper than 5.5 centimeters, or about two inches, in adults.
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Picture this: you’re at a child’s birthday party. One of the children starts choking on a piece of cake. Remembering your first aid training, you immediately leap in with the Heimlich maneuv...
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Nursing is a great employment field; not only is the employment outlook generally quite positive for coming years, there are also a number of different career entry points and clear paths wi...
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If you teach CPR and first aid under the AHA curriculum, you couldn’t miss the news—the price of cards and e-cards recently made a 772% jump—from about $2.20 to $17. This drastic price incre...
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Children as young as 11 years old—sometimes younger—have been shown able and willing to provide lifesaving care when needed. Kids are often around other kids, and may catch onto emergencies...
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Picture this: you’re enjoying a day of hiking with your family. Then one of your family members collapses and doesn’t get up. It sounds like a nightmare scenario—but it happens on a regular...
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Summers is a time of sunshine, outdoors, and barbecues - but it can also be a time of injuries, particuarlly if you are near a grill. Check out these first aid skills that might come in hand...
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Cardiopulmonary resuscitation, more commonly known as CPR, is a procedure that is used in efforts to save a person's life. CPR is a combination of chest compressions and rescue breathing. It...
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If you’re a healthcare provider, this may be a sadly common occurrence in your life. But if you aren’t—if you’re just a bystander, and you suddenly find yourself called upon to provide CPR....
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There are many different types of first aid courses available online. Here’s an overview of the types of first aid classes available, and who they’re generally designed for.
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I've been getting a lot of questions both here and at my office from concerned parents wanting to keep their kids safe when playing outside during the winter months. Luckily, with a little b...
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Sudden cardiac arrest can occur like a bolt from the blue. It can happen to anyone at any time; victims often seem healthy and may not have pre-existing heart conditions. The key to survival...
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The term "basic life support," also known as BLS, is used in the medical field to distinguish the types of medical care necessary to sustain someone's life until they can receive more detail...
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The acronym “HIPAA” stands for the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act. Enacted in 1996, this act was a crucial part of attempts at healthcare reform. Here’s an overview of t...
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Halloween can be an exciting time for kids and families. But while most Halloween activities are safe and fun, a few can take a scary turn—and it’s important to know the dangers out there an...
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If you're a tattoo or body modification artist, you most likely need bloodborne pathogen training, testing, and certification. This section explores why tattoo artists need this certificatio...
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There are many different types of CPR certifications available—some designed for medical professionals, others for non-medical professionals and lay audiences. Among them is the Infant and C...
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Heart attacks and cardiac arrest are generally associated with older people or those with known heart issues. But the unfortunate truth is that anyone - young, old, fit, or unhealthy - can g...
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Want to know what’s on the BLS exam? This article will give you a sense of what to expect. Read on for some BLS practice test questions to help prepare you for your exam.
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Want to become a CPR instructor? The good news is that this position is projected to grow 8% from 2014 to 2024. Here are a few things that just may affect your job outlook if you are a CPR i...
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