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Nov 14, 2019 
What is the Chain of Survival-and Why Is It Important?
The Chain of Survival is a series of actions that has to be taken to improve a patient’s likelihood of surviving cardiac arrest. Whether or not you’re a healthcare professional, knowing the links in the chain—and your place in it—could help you save a life.
What Is Agonal Breathing?
Agonal breathing bears little resemblance to normal breathing. It is gasping and labored, and may include snorts, moans, or other strange vocalizations. What do you do when someone is experiencing agonal breathing? Learn about the symptoms and causes of agonal breathing/agonal respiration.
What Does AED Stand For?
AED stands for Automated External Defibrillator. But how does an AED work? This article looks at how an AED functions and delivers a shock to a victim to restart a normal heart rhythm.
Making Sense of Blood Pressure Readings
Keeping tabs on your blood pressure is a crucial part of making sure your heart and cardiovascular system stay healthy. Understand what those numbers mean, and you’re better equipped to know when there’s a problem.
How to Decide When to Perform CPR
There are a few clear-cut warning signs that indicate when to do CPR on another person. How do you know which ones mean you need to perform CPR? This article examines the most common situations to help you decide when to perform CPR immediately.
AHA vs. Red Cross CPR Training Programs: What’s the Difference?
There are a lot of options when it comes to getting your CPR certification. But, with all the options that are avaliable the American Heart Association and the Red Cross are two of the most widely recognized. How do you choose between the two? This guide details the pro's and con's of each.
What Does CPR Stand For?
What is CPR and what does it do? When a person’s heart stops, rescuers use CPR to manually pump blood through the body and make sure the brain and vital organs stay oxygenated. It’s a way to keep cardiac arrest victims alive in the precious minutes before rescuers arrive.
Expecting a Child? Should You Take Baby CPR Classes?
If you’re expecting a baby, it’s an exciting, joyful time—but it can also be stressful. There’s so much to do to prepare. As the primary caretaker of a brand-new baby, one of the best things you can do for your child is to learn infant CPR.
What are the OSHA Requirements for Bloodborne Pathogen Training?
If you work in a place where it’s reasonable to expect some risk of exposure to bloodborne pathogens, the OSHA standard defines the measures your employer should take to reduce or eliminate that risk. It also outlines the actions you should take and the training you need to protect yourself. This article examines what those OSHA requirements are and who they apply to.
First Aid Skills You Need to Know for Cold Months
There's that old familiar chill in the air, which can only mean one thing: It's officially the season of slips and spills, sniffles and sneezing! Here are some essential first aid skills for treating winter injuries and illnesses.
Who Needs BLS Certification?
BLS stands for Basic Life Support. In the United States, this type of certification is for those in the medical field. If you’re a healthcare provider or someone in a rescue profession, the CPR certification you most likely need is BLS.
Five Most Common Fears That Keep People from Performing CPR
Here are some common misconceptions and fears that keep people from providing lifesaving care when the chips are down.
What is the BLS CPR Algorithm?
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.
What Happens if Ribs Break During CPR?
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 you’d think.
Rescue Breathing vs. CPR: What's the Difference?
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, research in 2010 called the effectiveness of rescue breathing into question.
BLS vs. CPR: What's the Difference? Is There One?
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 qualifies. What is the difference between BLS and CPR certification?
The Right Depth of Chest Compressions in CPR: How Deep Should You Go?
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.
Can You Be Sued for Performing First Aid?
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 maneuver. The child makes a full recovery. Sounds like a happy ending—until the parents charge you with assault and battery. Can it happen?
AHA Cards Jumped 772% in Price. Here's What CPR Trainers Need to Know.
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 increase is likely to raise costs for instructors and training centers by thousands of dollars—and force them to raise the price of classes for students. Here is what CPR trainers need to know.
Should Your Kid Learn CPR?
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 that busy adults don’t—especially when those adults are responsible for dozens of children at a time, or when adults aren’t immediately present. Children who know CPR can save lives, just as adults do.
Why Do People Drop Dead? Causes of Sudden Death
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 basis. Some of the causes of sudden, unexpected death are rare, but others are quite common. Here’s an overview of some of the causes of sudden, unexpected death.
First Aid for Summer Barbecues
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 handy if you want to make sure your BBQ is safe and fun.
What Happens if You Fail at CPR and Someone Dies
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. Here are some examples of the questions and concerns we’ve heard from people in our CPR classes about what happens when the outcome isn’t the best.
Online First Aid Courses: What's Available, and Which One is Right for You
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.
How to Stay Safe During Outside Winter Play
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 bit of knowledge, you can let the kids play outside without fear. I've collected a few of the most common questions and provided the answers for you below.
Cardiac Arrest: What It Is, and Why CPR Works
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 for victims of cardiac arrest is often receiving CPR immediately—those who have to wait for an ambulance have very low chances.
HIPAA Certification: What It Is and Why You Need It
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 the types of certifications available—and how to choose.
First Aid Essentials for Halloween
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 and be prepared. Here’s an overview of the first aid skills it’s useful to know around this time of year.
Why Tattoo Artists Need Bloodborne Pathogen Certification
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 certification and which types of tattoo artists are required to get this training.
Can You Be Sued for Performing CPR?
In March of 2013, a resident at a nursing home—an 87-year-old woman—stopped breathing. The nurse on the premises told a 911 dispatcher that she would not perform CPR, because of the facility’s rules against it. Unfortunately, the woman died before emergency response could arrive.