Emergency medical attention
When a person gets a major injury, the first responders that people usually call are emergency medical services (EMS) or emergency medical technicians (EMT). However, it is not all of the time that EMTs are available or reach the victim in time, especially in cases of cardiovascular emergencies. Rescuers must not be only trained in giving CPR, but also basic first aid. Certain emergencies may require a rescuer to stabilize a victim before CPR can be performed – bringing forth an increased need for first aid training. All of the courses located at our providers have both CPR and first aid lessons included. You will certainly complete our courses as the best rescuer you could possibly be.
CPR and its importance
Cardiopulmonary resuscitation is an important skill in and out of the hospital. It can be performed by both laypersons and healthcare providers with proper training. When you give immediate and adequate CPR to a victim whose heart isn’t beating, you increase his or her chances of survival by as much as 20 percent.
During cardiac arrest, the heart cannot pump blood to the rest of the body. Chest compressions manually pump the heart while rescue breaths delivery oxygen to the blood. These two things help circulate oxygenated blood to the rest of the body while the victim is still in cardiac arrest, as well as help the heart start beating again on its own. Defibrillation is also part of CPR, sending electric currents to the heart (in arrhythmia) to restore its normal rhythm. Automated external defibrillators or AEDs are simply attached to the chest and give out instructions before it shocks the victim. Defibrillators are only used on victims who have irregular heart rhythm not flatlined or in asystole.
CPR training programs
In our six training locations, there are five training programs for CPR and three re-certification programs, a total of eight. All of the locations have the same courses and rates, just varying in schedule.
- The Heartsaver CPR program is a Basic Life Support program that has two separate classes with the same curriculum: general public and healthcare provider (HCP) classes. HCP classes are 30 minutes longer than the four-hour general public class. The curriculum covers one-person CPR (chest compressions and rescue breaths), defibrillation, and first aid.
- The other BLS program is Basic Life Support for HCPs. It is 4.5 hours long and teaches students about one and two-person CPR rescue. First aid, defibrillation, and the AHA guidelines for Basic Life Support are also included in the program.
- Advanced Cardiac Life Support is an Advanced Life Support program that takes two days to complete. While it also covers the basics in a BLS course, it focuses more on the medical management of cardiac arrest, primarily in adults. It is 16 hours long.
- Pediatric Advanced Life Support is an ALS program that also takes two days to complete but instead focuses on the management of pediatric cardiac arrest cases. It is 14 hours long.