Having a well-organized and well-stocked first aid kit is one of the best ways to prepare for an emergency.
A first aid kit in your car allows you to treat injuries while you’re away from home or if you're in predicament and don't have access to medical supplies.
The creation of your own first aid kit can be cost effective and an easy alternative to purchasing a pre-made kit. Creating your own first aid kit also allows you to customize the first aid kit based on the medical needs of your family and friends.

​A well-equipped first aid kit is more than just band-aids and scissors. There are quite a few different types of supplies you might not have considered that can be very beneficial to have on hand such as medical care options for children and infants as well as a First Aid manual. In this blog post, we’ll cover the essential items for any first aid kit checklist to help you create your own.

1. A Box or Container. 
When purchasing your first aid container box, look for a container that comes with transparent inner compartments so you can have a clear view of the items inside. Also, look for a light-weight tackle box with handles, and never put a padlock on your kit because you will need to get to it quickly in an emergency.

2. Essential First Aid Items.
Here are some essential items that you might want to keep in your first aid kit:
Adhesive Band-Aids for covering cuts
Gauze pads for treating wounds
Safety pins for closing bandages
Adhesive tape
Antibiotic ointment
Antiseptic and hydrocortisone cream for skin inflammation and rashes
Antihistamine for allergic reactions
Antiseptic wipes to sanitize your hands
Aspirin, Ibuprofen, or other pain relieving medication
Aloe Vera to treat mild burns
Sunscreen
Insect bite relief pads
Cotton balls
Cotton swabs
Vaseline
A digital thermometer
Tweezers
Curved scissors (Medical grade)
A needle
Hand sanitizer
Saline solution for eye washing or cleaning wounds

3. Child and Infant Medication Doses and Accessories.
If you have young children in your family, include child and infant pain relievers, any prescribed medication, Benadryl spray, child & infant sunscreen, small bandages, baby wipes, and a syringe or medicine cup for administering medications.

4. First Aid Manual & Instructions.
A first aid manual will provide the necessary steps to assist you in a medical emergency. Another alternative is to participate in a CPR and First Aid certification class to receive hands-on training. Try to also include a summary of the information you learned in the class inside your First Aid kit so you remember what to do in the middle of an emergency.
​
5. Items for Serious and Acute Emergencies.
Additional emergency first aid items may be needed to facilitate acute medical emergencies such as choking, cardiac arrest, drowning, severe allergic reactions, and car accidents.
A. Hot and cold packs. Preferably, the kind that you just have to snap to activate the heating or cooling sensation
B. Latex free synthetic gloves if you’re dealing with serious wounds
C. A CPR mask for mouth-to-mouth resuscitation
D. Anti-diarrhea medication
E. An Epi-Pen for severe allergic reactions
F. A biohazard bag or marked plastic bag for disposal of contaminated items

Ensuring that you have a first aid kit in your car is always a wonderful initiative.  However, there may be times that it will be ineffective if you don't know how to use its contents. Here are a few essential first aid tips that you can follow:

1. Always disinfect. Always try to disinfect your hands and the area of injury before bandaging a wound. Open wounds and skin-to-skin contact can lead to infections and the spread of illness.
2. Stop the bleeding. Apply direct pressure to any open wound to stop the bleeding before wrapping it or applying a bandage.
3. Immobilize the injured area. For trauma and broken bones, make sure that the injured area is immobilized without excess weight or pressure on top of it. Unless you are a healthcare professional such as a medical doctor, don’t try to reset or stint the bone yourself.
4. Perform CPR for nonresponsive persons who aren’t breathing. In the event that a person isn’t breathing and is unresponsive, perform CPR immediately. 
5. When in doubt, call 911. For individuals in need of CPR, call 911 as soon as you determine that CPR is needed. For those with serious injuries or for anyone you believe needs extra treatment; always call 911. 
6. Always restock your first aid kit. After using some of your essential first aid items to address any medical emergencies, it’s important to replace those items as soon as possible. 
7. Some medical emergencies are bigger than your first aid kit can handle. If you feel that you or a loved one need emergency treatment, contact emergency services. If someone has a large wound or won’t stop bleeding, has sustained a head injury, may need CPR, or is experiencing severe symptoms call 911 right away. When in doubt, always call 911!
8. Take a first aid or CPR course. The best way to learn how to use your first aid kit in the event of any emergency is to take a Basic First Aid or CPR certification course that teaches you essential lifesaving skills.

Our CPR and First Aid courses at Help-A-Heart CPR can help you prepare for unforeseen emergencies. Whether you’re a parent looking to learn basic first aid for your children, a future medical professional hoping to get some training, or just interested in first aid, taking a class is a great way to sharpen your skills and potentially save someone’s life!
Our CPR certification and Basic First Aid classes will leave you feeling ready to use that first aid kit. We’ll cover patient assessment, bleeding wounds, allergic reactions, and much more. If you’re interested, take a moment to review our class schedule and find a date and time that works for you. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to reach out! We’re here to help. Just use our online contact form or give us a call at 210-380-5344.

Let's assume that you need an AED and prepare to treat a victim of sudden cardiac arrest. However, you soon discover that the device isn’t working. Perhaps the battery is no longer working, or the pads need to be replaced, or the device is past its expiration date. Regardless of what is happening, a non-functional AED is almost worse than no AED at all.
To avoid this situation, you might consider AED program management. Facilitating the use of AED program management can assist you with the management of your AEDs through such things as sending you reminders or alerts about upcoming expiration dates while also ensuring you’re meeting legal requirements.

The automated external defibrillator (AED) is a tool used to treat someone who is experiencing cardiac arrest. These life-saving devices analyze the heart rhythm and deliver an electric shock to victims of ventricular fibrillation to restore the heart rhythm to normal.
AED's are easy for bystanders to use and you don’t need to be a healthcare provider to operate. AED's are located in various places such as schools, corporate offices, and fitness facilities. In addition, individuals with a high risk of cardiac emergencies might also consider the purchase of one for their home. AEDs dramatically increase a patient’s chance of survival compared to waiting for first responders to arrive, and so it is important that AEDs are accessible in as many places as possible.

​Over 350,000 cardiac arrests occur outside of the hospital annually. AEDs are an effective way to treat victims of cardiac arrest and can help restore a normal heartbeat in just minutes. These powerful, life-saving devices can improve a patient’s chance of survival considerably compared to CPR alone.

Have you purchased an AED for your organization and installed it? Do you think that's all that you need to do? Not exactly. First, you need to set up CPR and First Aid training to ensure that everyone is familiar with the AED. Next, you will need to set up an AED program management schedule which is a service that can allow AED owners to effectively manage their devices. An AED management program typically includes general maintenance, expiration reminders, legal compliance checks, readiness checks, and more. These procedures will help ensure that your AED is fully operational at all times.

Establishing an AED program management plan with a reputable AED servicing company like Help-A-Heart CPR is a vital way to ensure that your AED is always functional.
There are many benefits to AED management. Here a just a few of the top reasons:
1. Conserve Time. The management and routine inspection of an AED can be time-consuming. Between component replacement, regular inspections, scheduling training, and more, the routine tasks associated with AED maintenance can quickly become overwhelming. Therefore, an AED maintenance program can take over the routine tasks for your organization and/or business allowing you to concentrate on other aspects of your organization.
2. AED Readiness. As we previously discussed, it’s important that AEDs are always operational. The checklists that we will include in your AED program management will help you confirm that everything is up to date and that your AED is operational and safe to use whenever it is needed.
3. Legal Compliance. Maintaining the federal and state requirements for AEDs can be a nuisance and timely. Our AED management program at Help-A-Heart CPR will regularly check the legislature so that you don’t have to and make sure that your AED is compliant.
4. Maintenance Reminders. With AED program management there is not a need to set calendar reminders or rely on your memory. The AED management team will alert you whenever it’s time for maintenance. This is especially convenient if you are responsible for multiple devices across a large facility and need to keep track of various expiration dates.
5. Peace of Mind. Lastly, with the incorporation of AED management at your organization or business, you’ll never have to wonder whether your AED is safe to use. By working with a team of professionals such as Help-A-Heart CPR experts, you can rest easy knowing that everything is taken care of.

Help-A-Heart CPR can assist you with AED program management or the purchase of an AED. Our team here at Help-A-Heart CPR has decades of experience with AEDs and we’re happy to help answer any questions you have. We offer comprehensive AED management services to make AED ownership simple.
Do you still have more questions? For more information about our AED program management or any of our other services, please contact us directly. You can contact us through our online form or by phone at 210-380-5344.

Are you planning to take an AHA or American Red Cross Basic Life Support (BLS) certification course? It’s always a good idea to being preparing for a BLS training class ahead of time. Through a bit of preparation and study, you should be more than prepared to be successful in that upcoming BLS course.

​The American Heart Association (AHA) and the American Red Cross (ARC) oversee the BLS certification curriculum which helps prepare medical professionals to respond to life-threatening emergencies. The BLS certification is recommended and often mandatory for healthcare providers including doctors, nurses, EMTs, dentists, pharmacists, and more.

BLS training provides healthcare providers with the skills and knowledge to keep a patient alive until they can arrive at the hospital. So, what do you learn in BLS training? Basic life Support (BLS) training covers topics in emergency life support such as CPR for patients of all ages, treatment for choking victims, proper AED use, and much more. It’s an essential training course for any individual who is looking to pursue a career in the healthcare industry.

​If you haven't taken a BLS class before, there are a few steps you can take to optimize your learning experience.

1. Locate The Appropriate Training
When deciding to get your BLS certification, there are several options available. For example, Help-A-Heart CPR CPR provides two methods of BLS training: traditional, instructor-led courses and hybrid online BLS courses with a brief in-person skills check. Some students enjoy the immersion of an in-person course, while others with a busier schedule often prefer the flexibility of a hybrid class. Both paths offer exceptional, high-quality instruction, it’s just a matter of what learning style you prefer and what fits into your schedule. Typically, experienced providers tend to favor the hybrid class, while those new to healthcare enjoy the instructor led option so they can ask the instructor loads of questions!

2. Make A List Of Questions
As you begin to study topics relating to BLS, take notes of any questions that you have. Bring a list of your questions with you to the BLS training course so that you can ask the instructor. Having your list ready to go allows you to focus on the course itself and not worry about remembering all your questions.

3. Begin Reviewing Basic BLS Information
While any BLS training course will cover all of the necessary information needed to pass the exam and receive the certification, it is always advised to prepare. Prior to participating in the BLS class, take some time to review all things BLS and find out what concepts and topics will be covered in a BLS course. 

4. Participate In A Practice Exam.
An additional helpful idea is to take a practice exam prior to your BLS class. While you might not be able to pass the practice exam with flying colors until you’ve actually completed the training, it can still be helpful to get a sense for what topics will be covered, what kinds of questions will be on the exam, and how exam questions might be formatted. There are lots of practice exams available for free online.

Are you ready to sign up for an AHA BLS certification course? Register today with Help-A-Heart CPR. We pride ourselves on being a learning center, not a testing center. You will love our laid back, low stress environment so you can get the most out of your training and be 100% ready to save a life! With expert-led instruction, cutting-edge equipment, and engaging lessons, our team can help you get BLS certified.
Our team is here to assist you any way we can, so don’t hesitate to contact us with any questions. You can message us online via our contact form or call us at (210) 380-5344.

When someone is choking, it is important to immediately help them dislodge the object in the airway. The longer that the object stays lodged in the airway, the more precarious the situation becomes. A lifesaving measure used in these situations is the abdominal thrust which can be used to dislodge the object restore normal breathing.
So what exactly is an abdominal thrust? Abdominal thrusts are a life-saving technique that both bystanders and first responders can use to treat choking victims. An abdominal thrust allows a rescuer to administer a quick but strong thrust to a choking victim’s abdomen to help force the object out of the airway.

Abdominal thrusts, also known as the Heimlich maneuver, are a first-aid technique used to treat conscious choking victims in which the rescuer administers thrusts to a patient’s upper abdominal region. This skill is commonly taught during basic life support (BLS) and advanced cardiac life support (ACLS) classes, but it never receives as much attention as chest compressions and rescue breaths do.
The abdominal thrust maneuver can be performed in both children and adults via different techniques. The thrusting motion pushes air from the lungs in an upward motions through the throat to dislodge foreign objects and treat upper airway obstructions.
Abdominal thrusts are relatively simple to perform and don’t require any equipment or extensive training. Once you learn the proper technique and abdominal thrust hand placement, anyone can perform them. They’re a quick and accessible way to help a choking victim.
Although there are no absolute contraindications, the abdominal thrust maneuver is not recommended by the AHA for infants or unconscious patients. Also, pregnant subjects should receive management with sternal compressions, as opposed to abdominal.

So how do you perform an abdominal thrust?
To give an abdominal thrust, you should follow the steps below:
​

1. First, place yourself behind the individual and wrap your arms around them.
   
2. Place your fist, thumb side in, just above the person’s navel or belly button.
   
3. Next, put your other hand over it and begin delivering abdominal thrusts.
   
4. Squeeze the patient’s abdomen in an upward motion and allow for recoil completely and minimize interruptions between each thrust.
   
5. Finally, perform abdominal thrusts until the object is removed or the individual becomes unconscious.

When should you not use the abdominal thrust?
The abdominal thrust maneuver should not be performed on unconscious patients (who should receive chest compressions) or infants (who should receive backslaps).

Does an abdominal thrust hurt?
Abdominal thrusts can be painful, but that doesn’t mean you should hesitate to deliver them if a patient is choking. The most commonly reported complications are rib fractures and gastric or esophageal perforations. 

Was the Heimlich maneuver replaced with the abdominal thrust?
Yes. The Heimlich maneuver was replaced by abdominal thrusts in the 2006 guidelines by the American Red Cross and the American Heart Association.

How can a rescuer tell the difference between mild airway obstruction and severe airway obstruction?
The rescuer should ask, “Are you choking?” If the victim nods yes, assistance is needed. Choking also often is indicated by the Universal Distress Signal (hands clutching the throat).

​Would you like to learn more about abdominal thrusts and other topics related to CPR and First Aid? Take a moment to view our training class schedule where you can also register directly for a CPR or First Aid course with Help-A-Heart CPR! 
To find out more, contact us today through our online contact form or give us a call at (210) 380-5344.

Are you a healthcare provider and preparing to take the American Heart Association (AHA) ACLS Provider course? if you are enrolled in the AHA ACLS class, you might also be wondering how difficult the ACLS Provider Exam is? Our goal here at Help-A-Heart CPR is to help our student's be successful and achieve their various milestones. That's why we created this blog post to guide you along the way.

The American Heart Association's Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (AHA ACLS) course has been created for healthcare providers who either directly or indirectly participate in the resuscitation of a patient, whether in or out of hospital. The ACLS course will allow providers to enhance their skills in the treatment of the adult victim of a cardiac arrest or other cardiopulmonary emergencies. ACLS also emphasizes the importance of basic life support to patient survival; the integration of effective basic life support with advanced cardiovascular life support interventions; and the importance of effective team interaction and communication during resuscitation.

When you take the AHA ACLS certification course, throughout the course, the instructor will review the information that you need to pass the exam. However, we have provided a few tools and tips below to optimize your learning success. 
​
​A. Review the ECG Rhythms. 
A review of the ECG rhythms is critical to success in the ACLS course. Often times, students struggle with ECG rhythm recognition during ACLS. So, if you feel that your knowledge of EGG rhythms is a bit lacking; you may to rake a ECG refresher course prior to taking the ACLS course and exam.
If you have additional experience in telemetry and ECG, this might help take a bit of pressure off when you’re going through the ACLS class. However, a review of ECG rhythms is often recommended for everyone. ECG rhythms can sometimes be a little overwhelming, so reviewing the basic rhythms and their corresponding pharmacology will just increase your confidence and your ability to be successful on the ACLS Provider exam.

B. Study the AHA ACLS Algorithms.
One of the most important things to memorize for the exam is the AHA 2020 ACLS algorithms. It is beneficial to memorize all of these algorithms so that you pass the exam with flying colors. The AHA ACLS algorithms are available in the required AHA 2020 ACLS provider manual so purchase the book prior to the class and review extensively.

The AHA 2020 ACLS algorithms are as follows:

Acute Coronary Syndrome Algorithm
Adult BLS Algorithm
Adult Bradycardia Algorithm
Adult Cardiac Arrest Algorithm
Adult Suspected Stroke Algorithm
Adult Tachycardia Algorithm
Intermediate Post-Cardiac Arrest Care Algorithm
Opioid-Associated Life-Threatening Emergency Algorithm
Unstable Tachycardia Algorithm

C. Memorize Medications and Doses
The AHA ACLS exam will also assess your knowledge and understanding of ACLS medications and dosages. In order to memorize these prior to your exam, you might want to try writing out flashcards, creating mnemonic devices, or using online quiz games.
The following are the ACLS medications you might need to know:

1. Adenosine
2. Amiodarone
3. Atropine
4. Dopamine
5. Epinephrine
6. Lidocaine
7. Magnesium
8. Nitroglycerine
9. Morphine

D. Take The American Heart Association Pre-Course Self Assessment.
The AHA ACLS pre-course self-assessment is an assessment tool with 50 questions that can be taken prior to the actual class. This self-assessment will serve as a tool to gauge your own knowledge of BLS, pharmacology, ECG rhythms, airway management, and the related AHA ACLS algorithms. The AHA ACLS pre-course self-assessment can be accessed here.

Are you now ready to take the ACLS exam? Getting an AHA ACLS certification has never been easier than with the ACLS online course. We offer a hybrid class in which you can take a self-paced series of online training modules. Then, just head to our training center for a brief skills practice. It’s a great way to fit training into your busy schedule as a healthcare professional and learn from the comfort of home.

If you’d prefer to learn in-person, we also offer traditional classroom courses. We have multiple convenient locations in Texas and a variety of course times to meet your training needs.

We’re here to help you get certified, so feel free to reach out. Contact us via our online form or give us a call at (210) 380-5344.

So you've determined that a patient or victim is unconscious but they have a heart rate and they are breathing on their own. How do you know if it is cardiac arrest of respiratory arrest?
Respiratory arrest is a life-threatening situation in which immediate intervention is needed. However time is critical so  it is essential to understand the type of arrest the patient is experiencing and begin treatment as soon as possible. Let's look at what respiratory arrest is and causes and possible treatment. Additionally, an early assessment and recognition intervention is important. Further, knowledge and participation of CPR/AED/First Aid training will equip you with the answers to these questions.

​Respiratory arrest occurs when a patient has stopped breathing. During respiratory arrest, the body is no longer getting oxygen to the brain, heart, and other vital organs. Cardiac arrest almost always follows unless respiratory function is rapidly restored. Occasionally, the patient will have already been experiencing respiratory distress that has gone unidentified or untreated, ultimately developing into respiratory arrest.

A patient may experience respiratory arrest when the nerves and muscles cannot support respiration. There are many potential causes of this, including: 
1. COVID-19
2. Head, chest or other major injury
3. Drug overdose
4. Sepsis
5. Neuromuscular diseases such as ALS
6. Stroke
7. Pneumonia

Sometimes, respiratory arrest can lead to cardiac arrest, and other times the two can occur at the same time. In both respiratory and cardiac arrest, the patient will be unconscious and will not be breathing. However, the difference between cardiac and respiratory arrest is that in cases of respiratory arrest, the patient will have a detectable pulse as the heart is still functioning and pumping blood throughout the body. 
Sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) is when a patient is experiencing an electrical disturbance in the heart, which will interrupt the heart’s rhythm and potentially halt heart function, breathing, and consciousness. Blood flow will stop, and so during sudden cardiac arrest, the patient will not have a strong pulse.

The first responder should assess the emergency and begin an intervention once respiratory arrest is identified. Treatment should focu on supporting the patient while the lungs heal. The goal of supportive care is getting enough oxygen into the blood and delivered to your body to prevent damage and removing the injury that caused Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) to develop. Instead of administering CPR, you’ll want to follow basic life support (BLS) practices. 
The following are some of the steps that can be taken to help manage respiratory arrest:
1. Open the airway
2. Apply bag-mask ventilation
3. Prepare for an advanced airway
4. Use the head tilt/chin lift maneuver if there is no cervical spine injury
5. Use the jaw thrust maneuver if there is a potential injury to the cervical spine
6. Check that you are providing sufficient oxygenation
7. Avoid over-ventilation
8. Monitor the pulse for any signs of cardiac arrest

Any healthcare professional or laymen rescuer who might encounter a cardiovascular emergency at home or at their place of employment should participate in a  BLS Provider certification with Help-A-Heart CPR. The expert team here at Help-A-Heart CPR can help answer any questions you may have––because we’ve been out on the field treating respiratory arrest and more as EMTs, paramedics, and nurses ourselves. 

There are a few important numbers to remember when learning CPR. From the rescue breathing rate for infants and children to the CPR compression rate for adults, it’s important to know and understand the correct parameters.

There are a few key statistics on CPR ratio and CPR rate for adults, children, and infants that we will highlight. These numbers are based on the latest research from the American Heart Association (AHA) as of November 2021.

Adult:
1 or ​2 rescuers – 30:2

​Child/Infant:
​​1 or 2 rescuer – 30:2
2 or more rescuers – 15:2

Adult/Child/Infant:
​Deliver continuous compressions at 100-120 per minute
Deliver 1 breath every 6 seconds

Adult/Child/Infant:
​100-120 compressions per minute

Adult:
At least 2 to 2.4 inches
Child:
At least one-third of the chest diameter or about 2 inches
Infant:
At least one-third of the chest diameter or about 1.5 inches

Adult:
Place 2 hands on the patient’s chest (at the sternum)
Child:
Place 2 hands on the patient’s chest at the sternum (If the child is very small, 1 hand might be appropriate)
Infant:
1 rescuer:
Place 2 fingers in the center of the patient’s chest
2+ rescuers:
Place hands around the patient’s chest and use 2 thumbs at the center of the patient’s chest

Adult:
1 breath every 6 seconds
Child/Infant:
​1 breath every 3-5 seconds

Adult:
Alone with a cell phone: activate EMS, then locate an AED and begin CPR
Alone without a cell phone: leave the patient to activate EMS, locate an AED and begin CPR
Child/Infant: 
Was it witnessed?
If you witnessed the collapse, locate an AED
If you did not witness the collapse, give 2 minutes of CPR first, then locate an AED and activate EMS

Whether adult, infant, or child; keep any interruptions in chest compressions to under 10 seconds.

Would you like to learn more about compression rates and ventilation ratios? You can view Help-A-Heart CPR's training classes on our training registration portal. Whether you’re training to become a healthcare provider or you’re a laymen rescuer who’d like to discover a life-saving skill, the attainment of a CPR certification is an incredible way to help your community and learn something new.
Our CPR and First Aid instructors at Help-A-Heart CPR make learning CPR both informative and empowering. As nurses, EMTs, and firefighters, Help-A-Heart CPR has extensive experience with many interesting stories to share. With plenty of class times available at locations across Texas and beyond, it’s easy to fit training into your busy schedule. Give us a call today at (210) 380-5344.

Have you ever been in a situation where an individual became intoxicated or was unresponsive but breathing and you didn't know what to do next? For example, you called 9-1-1- but really didn't know what to do in the meantime. Intoxicated or unresponsive victims are more at risk of vomiting and choking and need assistance with being placed into the recovery position until emergency responders arrive at the scene.

The recovery position helps a semiconscious or unconscious person breathe and allows fluids to drain from the nose and throat so they they do not aspirate.
The recovery position places the victim in a position that keeps the airway open. If a patient is unconscious and vomits, they could choke. The recovery position helps prevent choking in these situations.
​By just repositioning the victim correctly, you can decrease the possibility they will choke on vomit or other fluids and keep them safer. However, do not use the recovery position if the person has a major injury, such as a back or neck injury.

​If the victim is breathing and does not require chest compressions and rescue breathing (CPR), the victim should be placed in the recovery position. To place the victim in the recovery position grab the victims leg and shoulder and roll them towards you.

1. Call 9-1-1.
2. Make sure the scene is safe and then assess the condition and responsiveness of the individual.
3. If the individual is unconscious and not breathing, then the victim/patient should not be placed in the recovery position. Further, the individual should then be placed flat on their back and CPR should be immediately administered.
4. On the contrary, if the individual is unconscious BUT seems to be breathing normally, this is an example of when the recovery position should probably be used.
5. To place the patient/victim in the recovery position, lay them onto their back and kneel down beside them.
6. Next, pull the arm closest to you out to a right angle, with the palm facing up.
7. Take their other arm and press it against their cheek on the side closest to you.
8. Using your other hand, take the patient’s knee on the side furthest from you and bend it to a right angle.
9. Hold the patient’s arm against their cheek, their leg at a right angle, and roll them towards you. They should land in a position where one hand is under the chin, their other arm is preventing them from rolling over, and their leg is supporting them in the position.
10. Finally, tilt their head back and ensure that their airway remains open.
11. Always remember to monitor and observe the patient until emergency first responders arrive. Specifically monitor the breathing of the individual to ensure that CPR is not needed.

Would you like to learn more about the recovery position?  Sign up for First Aid and CPR training at Help-A-Heart CPR! Taking a class and receiving a certification is an empowering way to learn new skills while optimizing your own personal knowledge. Emergencies arise and result in unexpected medical emergences. By taking a CPR and First Aid class and learning more about the recovery position, you will gain the skills needed to provide emergency assistance.
CPR and First Aid classes at Help-A-Heart CPR are both engaging and educational. In less than 3 hours, you’ll learn how to administer CPR for victims of all ages, how to use an AED, and how to help choking victims. You’ll leave the class having gained a wealth of added knowledge, increased confidence in your abilities, and a certification card valid for two years.
Sign up today on our website. If you have any questions, feel free to contact us using our online contact form or by phone at (210) 380-5344.

With the flu season here, it is important to really understand what the flu is and how it impacts our lives. In this blog we are going to look at a few topics including common flu symptoms, pathophysiology of the flu, and the best treatment for the flu.

A few common flu symptoms include:

• Cough
• Sore throat
• Fever
• Body or muscle aches
• Headache
• Fatigue
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Runny or stuffy nose

There are more than 100 types of cold viruses, and these viruses often result in coughing, sore throat, body aches and other flu-like symptoms. While the symptoms may be similar, cold symptoms are often less severe than those associated with a flu virus.
For example, cold symptoms may make it difficult for a person to get out of bed and perform everyday activities. Further, flu symptoms may force an individual’s body to completely shut down. Most people who experience the flu will recover in a few days to less than two weeks, but some people will develop complications (such as pneumonia) as a result of flu, some of which can be life-threatening and result in death.

​The flu is a contagious respiratory disease caused by a virus that attacks the upper and lower portions of the respiratory tract. People are most frequently affected by the flu in winter and spring. During these seasons, the flu virus may be more prone than ever before to spread from person to person via respiratory secretions.
For instance, a person who handles items contaminated by someone who is currently dealing with the flu virus may be exposed to flu germs. In this scenario, a flu virus infection may occur.
The flu virus affects men, women and children. However, the Mayo Clinic (2021) indicated that the following populations are most at risk: young children under age 5, and especially those under 6 months; adults older than age 65, residents of nursing homes and other long-term care facilities, and pregnant women and women up to two weeks after giving birth.

​Fighting the flu can be a difficult task. If someone believes that they have contracted the flu virus, over-the-counter (OTC) drugs may help quickly alleviate various flu symptoms. For example, oral or nasal decongestants often help flu sufferers reduce swelling in the nasal passages. On the contrary, people who are experiencing flu-related sneezing or nasal discharge can be administered an antihistamine to help remedy their symptoms.
When used as treatment, the use of antiviral drugs can lessen symptoms and shorten the time you are sick by 1 or 2 days. They also can prevent serious flu complications, like pneumonia. For people at higher risk of serious flu complications, treatment with antiviral drugs can mean the difference between milder or more serious illness possibly resulting in a hospital stay.
For those who desire to find the best and most effective treatment, it may be beneficial to consult with your family physician. Expert consult allows an individual to receive an introspective examination of his or her flu symptoms. Subsequently, the CDC recommends immediate treatment for people who have flu or suspected flu and who are at higher risk of serious flu complications.

During times like these in which it is important to protect oneself from COVID while taking every precaution necessary to stop the spread, it is also important to be ready to provide care to patients experiencing other health emergencies. 
Over 350,000 out-of-hospital cardiac arrests occur each year. Performing CPR is a viable method used to give patients the best possible chance of survival. As we experience this pandemic, hands-only CPR is a good option to keep both the patient and the rescuer as safe as possible. Getting CPR certified and learning how to perform hands-only CPR is an excellent way to help your community during these difficult times. With knowledge of CPR and First Aid you will learn life-saving skills and gain the confidence to be able to support those in need during an emergency medical crisis.

To prevent the transmission of COVID-19 it is important to use social distancing while wearing masks and using sterile gloves. Due to the threatening nature of the disease, it is understandable that many individuals may be hesitant to perform CPR on someone they don't know. However, researchers have acknowledged that there is a low risk of COVID-19 transmission during CPR when the rescuer is wearing a mask. 
Therefore, yes, you should absolutely perform CPR in the event of a medical emergency, even during the present day COVID crisis.
According to the AHA, the risk of death from cardiac arrest is high with approximately 90% of patients experiencing cardiac arrest outside of the hospital dying. As such, the risk of contracting COVID-19 from CPR might very well be lower than the chance that the patient will pass away from cardiac arrest. As such, many health experts recommend that CPR is performed whenever possible, including during the era of COVID-19. Experts recommend that, during the pandemic, patients wear a mask during defibrillation.

Hands-only CPR is a new CPR method in which no mouth to mouth is required. With hands-only CPR, the rescuers only administer chest compressions while no artificial ventilation is given. Is this method effective? With hands-only CPR the  chest compressions help maintain circulation and restore blood and oxygen flow to the organs and research has even indicated that this method can be equally effective as traditional CPR with ventilation.
Since no breaths are given during hands-only CPR, there is decreased passing of air droplets between the rescuer and the patient. Thus, the likelihood that COVID-19 can be passed is smaller than with traditional CPR. Hands-only CPR can be both a safe and viable method to assist someone in cardiac arrest with a very low risk of transmitting the virus while even allowing the rescuer to continue to wear a mask.

Our CPR and First Aid training courses here at Help-A-Heart CPR are a great option for anyone looking to learn CPR. In our CPR and AED classes, you'll become empowered and gain knowledge on various topics including how to administer adult, child, and infant CPR, when and how to use an Automated External Defibrillator (AED), and how to assist both conscious and unconscious choking victims.
Here at Help-A-Heart CPR were are here to answer any question you may have. With small class sizes,  students leave the classroom feeling confident in their skills. We offer our CPR and AED courses at a variety of times and locations across Texas and the Southern United States so that you can fit training into your busy schedule. 
So, are you ready to start saving lives? Get your CPR certification today! To register for a class, go ahead and give us a call at (210) 380-5344 or use our online contact form today.