With the Orlando nightclub shooting having dominated our media for the last several weeks; isn't it time that we examine our own survival skills? First Aid and CPR certification training is a great place to begin. Colorado Public Radio recently suggested that it may take first responders between seven and 15 minutes to respond to an emergency, while the vast majority of active-shooter events are over within five minutes.
The article further suggested that being able to treat yourself and others who are wounded is an important part of surviving an active-shooter situation. For example, Colorado Public Radio reiterated the importance of taking a basic trauma first-aid class which could include learning how to administer treatment to a wound or how to use a tourniquet.
​Colorado Public Radio further asserted the importance of the following:
Knowing the  location of the active shooter
Number of shooters
Physical description of shooters
Number and type of weapons held by shooters
Number of potential victims at the location.

These are all things to consider in order to ensure that we are "prepared".
http://www.cpr.org/news/story/three-words-help-you-survive-active-shooter-situation

This is an excellent story that was just on the Today News. Julie Stroyne, a newlywed had not only just got married but was still in her wedding dress when she was called upon to help save a life. 
The 24-year-old trauma nurse and her new husband were walking out of the Pennsylvanian Hotel in Pittsburgh for the first time as husband and wife after their recent wedding when they heard someone yell, "Does anyone know CPR? Is anyone a doctor?"
The newlywed, who works at UPMC Presbyterian Hospital, ran over to a bench where she found a young woman unconscious. 
After a couple minutes, Stroyne shouted to bystanders that the woman's pulse was back.
What an awesome story of being in the right place at the right time and being appropriately pro-active.

http://www.today.com/news/newlywed-nurse-performs-cpr-wedding-dress-after-tying-knot-t98941

A new Missouri law was just passed that requires students to take 30 minutes of CPR instruction, as well as training in the Heimlich maneuver, which is used when a person is choking.
What do you think about this? I think that it is an excellent concept.
Now the question is- do you have children or grandchildren? Do they know what to in the event of an emergency or if someone is experiencing cardiac arrest or choking? Now that summer is here-it is the perfect time for them to participate in our American Heart Association CPR/AED class for the laymen rescuer. This CPR class provides hands on skills with the adult, child, and infant as well as what do when someone is choking.
Email us at helpaheartcpr@yahoo.com for details on our next class.
http://stlouis.cbslocal.com/2016/06/15/new-missouri-law-requires-cpr-training-in-high-school/

This is such a beautiful story so I thought I would share. Recently an Australian woman used the Siri application on her iPhone 6 to call the ambulance after her 1-year-old daughter who had stopped breathing. The Siri application placed the call, and the mother was able to speak with the emergency services on speakerphone while resuscitating her baby daughter. 
If you have a smartphone and you are ever in a situation where you are alone and/or cannot leave to grab additional assistance then use your speakerphone and place the phone by the victim's head. This will allow the emergency personnel on the other end of the phone to not only assist you but listen to your commands as well as any usual sounds made by the victim.
Technology is so powerful and there are so many ways that we can use it in a constructive manner-this is the perfect example.
This is a must read story.
http://9to5mac.com/2016/06/07/hey-siri-saves-life-of-baby/

Do you have an AED at your workplace? Does your organization have a recurrent CPR and First Aid training for its employees? If not, this might be a good time to be proactive and start a program. Stearns (2016) indicated that while most are familiar with cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and automated external defibrillators (AEDs); there is often confusion when it comes to incorporating these two lifesaving tools into a workplace first aid program.
Do you know your workplace OSHA requirements? According to Stearns (2016) in a Jan. 16, 2007 statement by OSHA, they provided clarity around its position on CPR in a workplace first aid program. The interpretation states, "OSHA recommends, but does not require, that every workplace include one or more employees who are trained and certified in first aid, including CPR." 

​https://ohsonline.com/articles/2016/06/01/cpr-and-aeds.aspx