You should take the following steps to ensure personal safety:
Do not enter an environment which may be unsafe or has the potential to become unsafe.
You should never take unreasonable chances and risk your own life to try and help someone else.
If you become a victim as well, you will not be able to help anyone. Take a moment to think about the danger you may be exposing yourself to, and question whether or not it is safe to do without proper training.
Dangerous Water
Road Hazard
Construction Danger
Think about how the patient might have been put in an unsafe position and what the result was
DO YOU WANT TO BE IN THE SAME SIUTATION??
BE AWARE OF YOUR SURROUNDINGS. Always be cognizant of potential hazards and situations where danger is likely.
YOU CANNOT HELP ANYONE IF YOU BECOME A VICTIM YOURSELF!
Take a look the following pictures and attempt to identify what elements may present a danger. Remember, if you are not properly trained and equipped to deal with a situation, do not expose yourself to risk by entering the scene! Call 9-1-1 immediately!
Questions
Think about the following questions regarding personal safety:
A person is floating in a canal with rushing water. Would you jump in to help without proper water rescue training?
A person has been shot or stabbed and the assailant has not been found. By going to help the patient, are you risking your own safety by getting too close?
A person has been hit by a car on a busy street. Are you going to run across busy lanes of traffic and help the patient on the street if there is no formal traffic control?
Your friend has been bitten by his dog while play-fighting with his children. The dog appears very agitated and aggressive. Are you going to attempt to restrain the dog?
All of the previous examples are every-day situations that people may encounter. It is imperative to look at the entire picture and make absolutely certain that you can be safe while providing care. If you become a victim, no one is being helped.
EMS University will be sponsoring a community CPR & Bake Sale Event in Phoenix, AZ at 4900 East Thomas on November 22, 2011 at 6-7:30PM. The event proceeds will benefit the Creighton Children’s Center which will use any funds obtained from the cost of the class to support their preschool. The cost is $20.00 and includes a CPR card for either Community/Workplace or for the Healthcare Professional and is good for all ages.
If you are interested in attending, you can register by calling us at (800) 728-0209. For more information, see the following flyer:
Taking a CPR class is a wonderful thing to do. Free CPR Classes, however, aren’t always what they are cracked up to be. Often these are “community events” where CPR instructors train massive numbers of people on a weekend where vendors standby to sell food or advertise other products and services.
In contrast, however, most people take a CPR class with the intention of using a certification card obtained for the purposes of self credentialing, meaning that they are usually getting it for purposes of employment or entrance into an education program. Other more noble reasons, include getting certified because you are having a child or just want to help your fellow neighbor out. In any event, having a certification card is very beneficial to the individual. It can be used to qualify applicants for jobs and also as that extra little push that can mean being gainfully employed versus “still looking.”
Generally speaking, free CPR classes do not provide the participant with a certification card or enough time or attention to truly demonstrate mastery of the information provided. Mostly this is due to a lack of examination/assessment of the material instructed. It is not uncommon for 1 instructor to train 100 or more people at one of these events.
Having a program in place where the student is tested on the information learned through examination and has the ability to review course material helps to ensure better retention of the skills. EMS University offers CPR training and certification both online and in person in select locations. You can take online CPR classes at www.cprclass.org or by calling (800) 728-0209 to schedule a class.
Proper compressions are essential to providing good quality CPR. Often times people have difficulty with proper hand placement and depth. Believe it or not, good compressions are actually less stressful on the body and you can do more of them. Bad compressions are not only ineffective, but tiresome because they distribute a majority of the workload on weaker muscles instead of using the advantage of your body weight as described below. The following information demonstrates how to perform good compressions.
Check for Signs of Movement
If no movement is found, start chest compressions. If Movement is Found, Place the Patient in the HAINES Recovery Position
Compressions
Place the heel of your dominant hand in the center of the chest and place your other hand interlocked over the top of that hand. Compressions should be done in intervals of 30 at a rate of at least 100 times per minute and at a depth of 1.5-2.0 inches or 1/3 to 1/2 the depth of the chest. Do not get caught up in the technical details, JUST PERFORM THE COMPRESSIONS. INTERRUPT COMPRESSIONS AS LITTLE AS POSSIBLE. Continue CPR at a ratio of 30 compressions and then 2 breaths.
The biggest mistake in performing compressions is not pressing hard enough! Improper compressions are characterized by arms bending and improper hand placement as shown below:
(Poor Compressions)
Proper compressions are characterized by good depth, straight arms, using your shoulders and interlocking your hands as shown below:
Knowing CPR can make a person seem responsible, intelligent, and…….sexy? Yep.
There is nothing more attractive to the opposite sex than knowing in the event of an emergency, the person you are with will know how to help, and may even be able to save your life. Mouth to mouth? Chest compressions? Heart rate? Breathing? Sounds exciting….. huh?
How do you bring up the fact that you know CPR? Dig through your wallet or purse in search of money, gum, or a pen. Then, “accidentally” drop your certification cards on the table or floor, and casually ask the other person if they could hand them back to you. Of course they are going to look at what the cards are for. Works like a charm.
So you’ve been out there looking for a job or heard of someone who has had a rough time finding employment. This story is not unusual, especially with (hate to use the cliche term) “the economy being the way it is today.” In order to get a job, a person must stand above the rest. There must be something about that person that an employer sees as more desirable than the other candidates. As a former supervisor and director in charge of hiring staff, I can tell you that there are several things that we look at right off the bat.
The Application Itself
This includes qualifications for the job position. You would be surprised to find that most people who apply for a job, don’t actually meet the stated requirements. If you don’t meet the requirements, it doesn’t necessarily mean that you can’t get the job, it just means that you’ll need to try harder to get it than those who do. I’ll explain more on this later.
The next thing within the application that is utilized to determine who is the best candidate is how the application reads. Is it typed, neatly printed on, or done in sloppy cursive. Chances are that if your resume is done in a messy manner that your application will be rejected. So my best advice is to type it… Yes, type it. It may require a lot of effort, but I can tell you that typing your resume makes a world of difference and impresses the person reading it. It shows that you actually care about getting the job.
The Interview
I would say that aside from “necessary” qualifications, a good interview is probably the most important part of getting the job you want. Appearances are everything. Make sure that you are well groomed and well dressed. Always dress up for the interview if you want the position. No matter what, don’t show up in a t-shirt and jeans. Finally, make sure that you answer questions as honestly as possible and avoid filling in awkward silences with “diarrhea of the mouth.” Show genuine interest and excitement (but not overexcitement) for the job. Also, asking questions is not incorrect as long as they are pertinent to your possible job responsibilities. You want to make sure you know what you are getting into before you accept the position if it is offered.
Qualifications
We have been dancing around the issue of qualifications, but if you really want to get the job, not only should you be qualified but you should also go above and beyond. I wouldn’t recommend padding your resume with service awards from previous companies or in-services attended 10 years ago, but I would recommend including relevant credentials. List a history of past education and pertinent training as well as ancillary certifications. CPR and First Aid certification are almost always pertinent. Online CPR Certification can be obtained by going to www.cprclass.org. You can also get First Aid training at the same place. Aside from these qualifications, I would recommend driver training and anything else that can be obtained for free or for a discounted price. Joining an employment organization may also help you get the tools you need to be successful in the job market. But realistically, having additional qualifications will help you stand out as a good candidate and may push employers into hiring you if everything else falls into play.
Becoming certified in CPR is important for a variety of reasons. I have detailed 3 big reasons why I believe it is important to become CPR certified. These reasons are listed below:
To Meet Job Requirements
Healthcare professionals and educators often are required to obtain CPR certification in order to meet the continuing demands of their industry. In the healthcare field it is an issue of liability as well as competence. If a provider is not CPR certified, they are taking on a huge liability. Additionally, there is a chance that the patient’s life might not be saved that could have otherwise been. In the education field, it is important for teachers (particularly preschool teachers) to maintain current certification. This is due to the fact that young children pose an increased risk for choking and succumbing to other hazards that might not be inherent in other industries. And speaking of other industries, the need for CPR is growing in the field of construction, transportation, health ancillaries, and other related fields. The design is not mainly to eliminate liability, but can also be marketed as a higher level of service to the customer.
To Meet College or Trade School Requirements
The job market isn’t the only place where people are mandated to obtain CPR certification. This is the case for many educational programs in healthcare or childcare. But realistically, this should also include anyone who is enrolled in college. Think of the impact that could be made if people were required to obtain certification prior to graduation — but not so late as graduation from college. I have already spoken at length in the article “Let’s Make CPR a Requirement to Graduate from High School.” In the event of cardiac arrest — if we could get this done, our survival rates would surely increase. In any event, the original point is that meeting requirements is a good reason to get certified. Anything on top of this is a bonus.
Because It’s The Right Thing to Do!
Many times I hear people say: “Well if I’m not REQUIRED to take CPR, I won’t.” Honestly, this attitude scares me. I mean, imagine if a loved one heard this. I think getting CPR certified not only tells you about a requirement that needs to be met, but also about the person who is getting it. I absolutely love it when someone contacts me and says that they want to get certified because they are having kids or have kids and want to be prepared in case something happens. This is the attitude we should all have. But not just with kids — God bless their little hearts (I have 3 of them myself), but also with other loved ones, like your wife, husband, brother, sister, friends or even just for the sake of your community!
Getting CPR certified is easy, you can obtain CPR certification by following the link below:
Through our promotion, we are currently running a holiday discount (Valid until 12/31/2010) where anyone can save 35% off the purchase price of any course. This represents a significant savings for any and all courses. We offer CPR, First Aid and Bloodborne Pathogens courses online. Many people use these certifications to meet the requirements of regulatory agencies or their employers.
The holiday discount will most likely not be repeated until next year. This is the slow season for education, so part of the idea is to stimulate participation during this low-volume time. Getting a head start on CPR certification will help anyone who needs it by saving them a great deal of money.
Our goal is to ensure that the student receives the highest quality training and service for the lowest price possible. We can do this through online training. In order to receive the discount, you can contact us through a comment or by using live support chat, email or telephone. You can reach us at 800-728-0209. The email address is info@cprclass.org.
Remember the offer is valid only through December 31, 2010.
According to officials, 15 year old Tyler Symes heart stopped beating after he was accidentally struck by a hockey puck in his chest.
Fortunately, the team’s management staff and a bystander successfully performed CPR to bring the child back to life prior to rescue workers arriving. This demonstrates the real-life need for people to learn CPR and First Aid. A freak accident can happen any time and it was fortunate for Symes that people in the stands and coaches were able to assist in bringing him back to life. To see the original story click on the link below:
Below is a list of five different things you can do to better yourself. These are usually tasks. More often than not, it is about establishing a good pattern.
Clean Up Your Mess
Take care of your living environment. Throw out the trash, clutter, and all items that you just don’t really need and aren’t using. Under the bed, closets, in storage, and under the kitchen sink are places that useless possesions accumulate. Clear out the clutter to make room for open space and a free mind. Vaccum, mop, dust, wash your windows, scrub your tub, wash your dishes, and set out some nice candles or a handful or fresh flowers. Its amazing how just wiping away dirt and junk can make you feel like a million bucks.
Brush Your Teeth, And Mean It
We all know we are supposed to brush our teeth, morning and night, but are we really “brushing” them? Oral hygeine is not only important for health, but for appearence and self esteem as well. You only get one set of adult teeth, so take care of them. Pay attention to what you are doing. Feel around in your mouth and make sure you are really getting every part of every tooth. Brush your tongue and the insides of your cheeks as well. Break out the dental floss and take your time to really get between and around each tooth. Finish up with a splash of minty mouth wash and apply some tasty chapstick.
Exercise, But Don’t Obsess About It
There are probably about a million ways that a person can sneak some sort of physical activity into their day, without hitting a gym or a weight set. Washing your car, walking your dog or with a good friend, playing sports, hiking, yard work, window shopping, cleaning your house, playing with kids, etc. are just a few ways that you can get exercise without paying gym membership fees and while actually being productive or having fun. Don’t make exercise a depressing chore. Try to have fun!
Learn Something New
Take care of your brain. Take a class, join a book club, learn to sew, or take up a new hobby. Keeping our brain learning and growing is what keeps us young and alive. If you stop learning, then you stop living. Classes can be taken at community colleges, community centers, and even online. Even becoming certified in CPR and first aid can be done online now at www.cprclass.org.
Cook for Yourself
I have come to find that there is no greater skill or art than knowing how to cook. And this is becoming a lost art, due to frozen and fast food. However, the skill is invaluable. Not only is cooking cheaper and more healthy that fast and frozen food, but making your own dinners for yourself and your family gives you a deep self appreciation and sense of accomplishment. Grab yourself a cookbook, make a grocery list, and give it a shot!
- Jennifer Major, B.A.S Early Childhood Development
