With summer right around the corner, summer emergencies sometimes happen. However, there are several things that you can do that are precautionary and just may save your life.

1.  Wear A Bike Helmet

Whether you’re planning a bike ride for relaxation or a strenuous trek along mountain bike trails, wearing a bike helmet should be mandatory. To better understand the importance of wearing a bike helmet, let’s explore the following statistics from the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA):

• Up to 80% of all fatal bike crashes involve head injuries, yet only 18% of bicyclists wear bike helmets.
• Universal bicycle helmet use for kids between the ages of 4 and 15 years old would prevent up to 45,000 head injuries and 55,000 scalp and face injuries each year.
• Bike helmets are up to 88% effective in mitigating head and brain injuries.

     2.  Swim Safely
Safe swimming is paramount. The American Red Cross offers recommendations to ensure you can stay safe when you swim at a beach or swimming pool, and these include:

• Swim in Designated Areas Only: Swim only in areas where a lifeguard is on duty.
• Use the Buddy System: Never swim alone; instead, you should swim with a buddy at all times.

     3. Preparation for Camping
Camping is an excellent way to get outside and enjoy the outdoors with family members and friends. If you decide to go camping this summer, there are many ways to protect yourself against injuries and diseases, such as:

• Get Vaccinated: Visit your doctor so you can ensure you are up to date on all of your vaccines.

• Pick Up Protective Gear: A helmet, sturdy shoes and a life jacket are camping essentials.
• Avoid Wild Animals: Never feed, touch or get near wild animals while camping.
• Use Insect Repellent: Apply insect repellent that contains DEET to combat mosquitoes, ticks and other insects that may cause diseases.

     4. Sign Up for Emergency Training Classes
Having the ability to administer first aid during an emergency is crucial. If you have the skills and knowledge to support an individual who is drowning, experiencing sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) or suffering from any other illness or condition, you could prevent the loss of life in an emergency.
Many emergency training classes are available, and these include:

• Basic First Aid: A basic first aid class covers a wide range of topics, including how to provide assistance in hot and cold emergencies and how to treat wounds and other injuries.
• Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR): A CPR class teaches students how to perform CPR on adults, kids and infants, assist conscious and unconscious choking victims, use an automated external defibrillator (AED) and provide immediate first aid in emergencies.

You never know when an emergency may occur. But with comprehensive emergency training and safety tips, anyone can become a life-saver in any emergency, at any time.
For those who want to earn basic first aid, CPR or other emergency training certifications, classes from Help-A-Heart CPR are the perfect skill-set to prepare for your summer. Help-A-Heart CPR offers a variety of emergency training courses, all of which blend hands-on and classroom lessons and are taught by expert instructors. To find out more about our emergency training classes, please contact us today at (210) 380-5344.

With the global pandemic of COVID-19, now is the perfect time to learn CPR. Various hospitals worldwide are struggling with increasing patient volume, which means that people in everyday settings need to do their part to help “flatten the curve.” Sheltering in place is not the only method to stop the spread of coronavirus but it can also involve knowing how to administer life-saving skills such as CPR and First Aid. With proper aid at the scene of an emergency, the hospital space and time can be allocated to the outbreak, and many lives can be saved.
If you are a healthcare provider or a laymen rescuer that has already been trained and certified in CPR, you can renew your BLS, ACLS, and/or PALS certification through completion of an online course and in-person skills testing and eliminate the additional time needed in the classroom. 

HEARTCODE BLS ONLINE & SKILLS CHECK
Basic Life Support (BLS)  is a certification course that teaches a number of live-saving skills. These include how to administer CPR to adults, children, and infants, how to operate in AEDs is a number of situations, how to assist choking victims, how to use breathing barriers and bag valve masks, and more. An accredited BLS certification is required for all medical care providers and first responders. Though it lasts just 2 years, it’s easy to renew.
For those with an expired BLS certification card (or a card that will soon expire), our team here at Help-A-Heart CPR offers an Online BLS Renewal Course With Skills Check. This course requires participants to complete a series of self-paced online training modules that can take anywhere from 30 minutes to 2 hours to complete, depending on experience. Next, participants must complete a short skills test at our facility to be awarded a BLS certification renewal. This class is perfect for medical professionals with busy schedules and those looking to maintain safe social distances while allowing the first half of our BLS renewal course can be completed from the comfort of a home computer. The second part takes place in a clean, 1-on-1 environment with a trained emergency response professional.

HEARTCODE ACLS ONLINE & SKILLS CHECK
Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) is a certification course that builds upon the foundation laid by BLS and teaches more advanced life-saving skills. In addition to diving deeper into the subject matter covered in BLS courses, ACLS courses also cover how to properly administer an IV, how to read and decipher electrocardiograms, and how to administer emergency drugs. ACLS courses are designed specifically for medical professionals, including doctors, nurses, paramedics, anesthesiologists, dentists, and more. Like BLS certifications, accredited ACLS certifications last for 2 years. And like BLS certifications, they are easy to renew.
​Here at Help-A-Heart CPR, we are proud to provide an Online ACLS Renewal Course With Skills Check to help medical professionals renew their ACLS certifications without the additional complexity of lengthy class time. Like our BLS renewal course, this course requires participants to complete a series of self-paced online training modules that can take anywhere from 3 hours to 8 hours, depending on experience. Next, participants must complete a short skills test (lasting typically an 1 hour) in order to earn a renewal for their ACLS certifications. The first portion is can be completed from the comfort of your home, and the second portion is conducted in a sterile, 1-on-1 environment — great for medical professionals looking to stay safe during the coronavirus outbreak.

Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) is a certification course created by the American Heart Association that teaches students how to administer life-saving care to children. PALS courses teach a systematic approach to Pediatric Assessment while helping students learn proper management of pediatric respiratory emergencies, safe vascular access, effective airway management, pharmacology, BLS for children, and more. PALS courses are required for professionals who provide medical to children of infants in emergencies. An accredited PALS certification lasts 2 years, but it can be renewed quickly without the need for a re-enrollment in an initial PALS certification course.
Making it easy for emergency childcare professionals to renew their PALS certifications, our team here at Help-A-Heart CPR offers an Online PALS Renewal Course With Skills Check. Like the other renewal courses covered above, our PALS renewal course is completed in two sections. The first section includes a series of self-paced online training modules that participants can be completed in anywhere from 3 hours to 8 hours, depending on experience. The second section involves a short skills test (lasting anywhere from 30 minutes to 1 hour) that must be completed at a Help-A-Heart CPR facility in order for students to earn renewal for their PALS certifications. As mentioned above, our facilities are cleaned regularly and the skills test itself is conducted in a 1-on-1 environment for maximum safety. Even better: the online portion of our PALS renewal course can be completed from the comfort of your own home.

​WHY HELP-A-HEART CPR?

In the midst of a pandemic, having essential emergency-response skills such as CPR and/or First Aid can help medical professionals and civilians save lives. Thankfully, you don’t have to put yourself at risk to renew your CPR certification. At Help-A-Heart CPR, we make it easy. Our renewal courses are completed mostly online, with only a short skills test conducted on-site at our clean, state-of-the-art facilities. There, you will receive 1-on-1 proctoring from one of our highly-skilled safety professionals. With the completion of ACLS or PALS you will also receive continuing education units to help with your professional license renewal requirements.
So, why choose us for CPR renewal? First, we create effective and engaging renewal courses that really work. With us, you gain skills that stick with you. Based in San Antonio, Texas we are fully endorsed by the American Heart Association and American Red Cross. Committed to excellence, we’ve helped further the careers of doctors, nurses, paramedics, childcare professionals, and countless civilians across our Central and South Texas community. Ready to take action? Contact our team to learn more about our award-winning courses and enroll with us.

Most states now have a “shelter in place” order due to the spread of COVID-19 otherwise known as the "coronavirus". However, individuals still need to leave their houses from time-to-time, whether it be grocery shopping, doctor’s visits, and/or the occasional walk around the neighborhood. Regardless, extra precautions must be followed. In this blog, we cover 3 tips to help you stay safe while on the go during COVID-19. Use these safety tips when grocery shopping, picking up essentials at other stores, or even going out for a walk around the neighborhood.

​While social distancing is important, it’s sometimes impossible to always follow. If you’re leaving your house, there will likely be moments when you will come closer than six feet away from another person. Whether it's at the grocery store, on a walks and/or runs, or even in your own home, you may need to interact with another person. In all of these situation,  it is critical to wear one or several pieces of personal protective equipment (PPE).
PPE consists of various items such as masks, gloves, gowns, and goggles. Each piece of PPE equipment serves as a protective barrier between your body and pathogens like COVID-19 which can spread through coughing, sneezing, or by touching one’s own eyes, mouth, or nose after touching a surface touched by an infected individual. Though each piece of PPE is important, not all pieces are always a necessity. Gloves, goggles, and gowns only need to be worn in and around confirmed COVID-19 patients in close quarters and should be reserved for healthcare providers if possible.
However, one piece of PPE that should never be skipped is the mask. As modes of transmission for coronavirus are becoming better known and the rampant presence of asymptomatic carriers has become apparent, the CDC now recommends the use of cloth face masks outside of the home.

​Social distancing is now a necessary requirement when interacting with people outside your home. Based on CDC guidelines, social distancing involves maintaining a safe distance of at least 6 feet from anyone around you. The CDC has further suggested not to gather in large groups and staying out of any place that might be crowded. Due to these guidelines, many places of business that have to remain open including doctor’s offices, doctor's offices, autobody shops, and certain other retail location have implemented queues to allow only a few people into a property at once.
Even with these guidelines in existence, it’s still important to observe social distancing both inside the store and outside. Perhaps try to structure your shopping experience based on the positions of other people in the store. For example, if someone is standing near a shelf  or in a tightly confined aisle that you’re trying to access, wait and go to another area of the store. Lastly, when at checkout, always try to maintain a safe distance between others in line.

​Something as basic as washing your hands is a critical preventative measure against COVID-19. Washing your hands is important both before leaving your house and when returning. When you leave the house, your hands come into contact with many foreign objects such as groceries, door knobs, payment interfaces, bags, and more. Of course it is also vital to not touch your face if possible but even if you do manage to not touch your own face, you may touch other items in your home and spread the virus that way.
So, you may ask "What’s the solution?" The answer is WASHING YOUR HANDS! After coming into contact with foreign objects, washing your hands can keep you from spreading contaminants to yourself or those around you. It is recommended to wash them the moment you get home after errands or if, you can, the moment you leave a store and again at home. If you can't wash your hands immediately then have a bottle of hand sanitizer easily accessible in your vehicle. So you might think that is an easy resolution. Not always. While you may consider yourself an obsessive hand-washer, you may be mistaken. Many people neglect to wash their hands thoroughly enough to remove harmful substances like bacteria, viruses, and other contaminants. Case in point-be mindful and make washing your hands a ritual or habit.

These practices and more can help eliminate and/or reduce the potential to contract COVID-19. When it comes to stopping the spread of this deadly disease, staying home whenever possible is the way to go. Give us a call at Help-A-Heart CPR at 210-380-5344 for more information on preventing the spread of COVID-19.

COVID-19 OR THE "CORONAVIRUS AND PPE
​
With the spread of “coronavirus”  or COVID-19, a communicable viral disease; there has never been a better time to learn more about personal protective equipment (PPE). COVID-19 is passed from person to another through close contact and the sneezing or coughing of an infected person. Unfortunately, an individuals can also contract COVID-19 simply by touching a surface recently touched by an infected individual and then touching one’s own mouth, eyes, or nose. Transmitting and contracting COVID-19 can be greatly reduced by wearing personal protective equipment, which creates a barrier between the hands, the mouth, and other high-risk areas. Learn more about the different types of PPE and when to use in this valuable resource.

​So people often wonder when they should use personal protective equipment? Personal protective equipment may include gowns, goggles and face shields, gloves, and masks and respirators. This answer is really dependent on the personal or professional surrounding. Masks and respirators are used to cover the mouth and nose: high-risk areas for both contracting and transmitting sickness. Although the CDC recommendation is for voluntary use, an employer might feel it is critical to ensure certain employees do wear masks. If employees are considered “medium risk” for COVID-19 exposure because, for example, they have frequent contact with individuals within six feet, then using a mask may be required.
Respirators cover as minimum the nose and mouth of users and remove contaminants from the air by filtering airborne particles or chemical agents from air.  Goggles and face shields are designed to shield the eyes and the skin of the face, goggles and face shields are both extra protective layers designed to be worn in densely-populated areas with several contagious individuals. Disposable gloves are worn to protect the skin of the hands from pathogens and other harmful substances.
​
However, even with COVID-19 in most countries and cities around the world, it’s not necessary to wear personal protective equipment at all times. If you are quarantining or practicing shelter in place, there is no need to wear protective equipment in your own home — provided you don’t live with anyone who has COVID-19. In most cases, it is only necessary to wear PPE when you are living or working in an enclosed space with COVID-19 patients. One notable additional case: if you are traveling and you have an existing respiratory condition, it is highly recommended that you wear a mask or respirator to prevent infection.

Lastly, always remember to wash your hands with soap and water before putting on your PPE and after removing in order to prevent the cross-contamination of unwanted pathogens. To wash your hands properly, per the CDC guidelines, start by wetting both hands under warm water. Next, turn off the tap and apply soap. Lather all surfaces of your hands, including finger tips, creases between fingers, and the backs of your palms. Scrub for at least 20 seconds before turning the tap back on.

Have more questions on how to put on personal protective equipment? Need extra guidance on how to remove personal protective equipment? Our team at Help-A-Heart CPR is here to help. Enroll in one of our many life-saving certification courses today! Contact us to get started at 210-380-5344.

Being a new parent can be both exciting and stressful for a new mother. But how a new mother responds in an emergency is critical. Ideally, a new mother should be able to react quickly and effectively in any emergency and inadvertently avoid placing her child’s life in danger.
Across the United States, choking is a major problem among children across the United States. The American Heart Association (AHA) states over 90 percent of deaths due to foreign objects occur among children who are 5 years of age or younger, and 65 percent of these deaths take place among infants.
If a child begins choking, how will the new mother respond? It is really dependent on the emergency training of the new parent. If the mother has received proper training she will know exactly what to do when her child begins choking.
We all know that there is not a manual on being a new parent. However, new parents should always be prepared for the worst-case scenario.
Many new mothers will take classes that provide insights into what to expect after a baby is born. While these classes often help new mothers plan ahead for life with a newborn; few new mom's enroll in training that teaches them how to administer cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) to children and infants.
CPR training is a necessary pre-requisite for a new mother. To better understand the critical nature of knowing CPR, consider the following statistics from UNICEF:

1. Approximately 20,000 children under the age of 5 years old, or 21 children per minute, die from preventable causes each year.
2. On average, 11 million children die each year.
3. The majority of child deaths globally, each year, could be prevented by low-tech, cost-effective measures.

Participating in a CPR class usually only takes a few hours and the benefits of the class can last a lifetime. With CPR training, a new mother can gain the skills they need to administer life-saving assistance in many child, infant and adult emergencies.
A CPR class will usually emphasizes three areas:

• Administration of CPR: Ensures students know how to perform CPR techniques on any individual, regardless of age.
• Use of an Automated External Defibrillator (AED): Enables students to leverage an AED, a portable device that sends an electric shock to the heart to restore the normal heart rhythm.
• Aid for Conscious and Unconscious Choking Victim: Guarantees students can assist choking victims until advanced medical personnel are available.

New mother's won’t have to look far to enroll in a CPR class. Thanks to Help-A-Heart CPR, new moms can participate in fun, engaging and informative CPR training at their convenience.
Help-A-Heart CPR classes represent ideal options for all members of the family. If a new mom and father want to take a CPR class together, we provide that option. Or, if a new mom wants to enroll in CPR training with grandparents, godparents, friends or anyone else, we have group training options to make it easy for everyone to earn their CPR certification at the same time.
New moms who are seeking CPR training should consider any of the classes provided by Help-A-Heart CPR. To find out more about our CPR classes, please contact us today at 210-380-5344.

A medical emergency can trigger anxiety and depression for days, weeks, and even months following an incident. If the persio following the trauma or medical emergency is not addressed, it can results in added stress for the individual whether at work, with family, or in daily activities. 
If you are experiencing anxiety or depression after a medical emergency, it is important to remember that many people in the US suffer from the same condition. Anxiety disorders effect approximately 40 million U.S. adults, and/or approximately 18% of the U.S. population. Anxiety disorders are among the most common mental illnesses, according to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA). However, anxiety disorders are treatable, and some of the best ways to deal with anxiety after an emergency include:

.1. Relaxation.
After a medical emergency it is often important to relax and take a short break from every day activities to process what happened during the incident. A break may help an individual take a step back from an emergency, clear his or her head and move forward. Simple things can be done such as spending a few minutes practicing yoga or listening to music or planning a weekend getaway or a week-long vacation to help you clear your mind.
2. ​Nutrition.
Th effects of anxiety can plan havoc on eating right and/or even eating at all. It is important to fill your diet with foods that boost energy in order to avoid a potential drop in blood sugar that can cause you to feel jittery. A diet rich in whole grains, vegetables and fruits are ideal. Meanwhile, you should try to avoid simple carbohydrates, limit caffeine and alcohol consumption and stay hydrated. Don’t forget to eat regular meals, too; that way, you can maintain a consistent blood sugar level throughout the day.
3. Physical Fitness.
Research has indicated that regular aerobic exercise reduces tension, improves sleep and boosts self-esteem. Additionally, some research has even indicated that just five minutes of aerobic exercise a day can provide anti-anxiety benefits.
In addition to helping you build strength, stamina and muscle, exercise enables you to fight off anxiety. If you stay physically active, you’ll be able to reduce fatigue, improve your alertness and concentration and boost your overall cognitive function at the same time.
4. Adequate Sleep.
It has been recommend by the National Sleep Foundation (NSF) that adults get at least seven hours of sleep per day. If you allow yourself plenty of time to get adequate sleep, it may be possible to avoid the possibility of post-emergency anxiety.
Practicing a relaxing bedtime ritual like reading a book or listening to relaxing music before bed may help you fall asleep. Also, if you exercise daily and avoid naps during the day, you may be able to develop a consistent sleep schedule.
5. Positive Attitude.
Maintaining a positive outlook when experiencing anxiety can often seem impossible. However, there are many simple and yet effective ways to remind yourself of all the positive and good things in your life. For example, placing positive notes or quotes throughout your home. These notes will serve as constant reminders of positive things that bring a smile to your face. In addition, it is critical to do something every day that truly makes you happy.
6. Journaling.
Writing your thoughts in a journal may be beneficial if you are not quite sure of the source of your anxiety or depression. If you write down your thoughts and feelings, seeing these thoughts on paper may allow you to figure out what exactly is triggering your anxiety. 
The goal of a journal entry is to allow you to identity the source of your anxiety and then find ways to work through it. Journal entries can be long or short and can written as frequently as you like. If you feel comfortable with writing your thoughts on paper, this can be an extremely effective way to help alleviate the anxiety after experiencing trauma or a medical crisis.
Experiencing constant anxiety can be difficult for anyone to work through. However, understanding the source of the anxiety and
realizing that it can be dangerous if not addressed can potentially save lives. Although there is not a universal method to overcome anxiety after trauma or a medical emergency, using one or more of the previously mentioned tips may provide adequate coping mechanisms.

If you are looking to get your cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) certification, it is best to choose a CPR training providers with proven expertise. This allows the individual to become CPR certified quickly while allowing the individual to learn the proper methods to administer life-saving assistance to those suffering sudden cardiac arrest (SCA).
Cardiac arrest is an electrical irregularity of the heart which occurs due to a irregular heartbeat. When cardiac arrest occurs, the pumping action of the heart is disrupted which prevents the heart allowing blood to go the brain, lungs, and other organs. This is what causes the cardiac arrest victim to become unresponsive. if the individual does not receive CPR in a few minutes after cardiac arrest then they can die.
The American Heart Association (AHA)  states that cardiac arrest effect greater than 350,000 individuals annually. Further the AHA has reported that the average survival rate for out-of-hospital cardiac arrest victims is 12 percent. The AHA  has additionally indicated that only about one in three cardiac arrest victims survives when a cardiac arrest incident is witnessed by a bystander.
In some situations cardiac arrest can be mistaken for a heart attack. But cardiac arrest and heart attack are two completely different medical emergencies. Unlike cardiac arrest, a heart attack occurs when there is a blockage that prevents blood from flowing to the heart. Subsequently, it is the the heart attack that can lead to cardiac arrest. The heart attack may be further defined as the death of heart muscle tissue as a result of the loss of blood supply.
If your CPR trained, then you will know how to respond to cardiac emergencies. The individual will then have the skills to provide life-saving assistance to increase the cardiac arrest of heart attack victim's chance of survival.

Why Should You Become CPR-Certified?
For the cost of a single CPR class, an individual can contribute greatly to their local community. CPR training provides significant value to individuals of all ages. The training provides the individual with the tools to support emergency care victims until advanced medical personnel have arrived. CPR training can subsequently enable anyone to actually save lives.
A normal CPR training class will provide the student with knowledge regarding the following topics:

• Mouth-to-mouth resuscitation and chest compressions
• Use of an automated external defibrillator (AED) and special considerations
• Identification and aid for conscious and unconscious choking victims

Over the course of a few hours, the student will be provided instruction by a medical professional such as a firefighter, EMT, nurse, or paramedic, who will teach the students about the mentioned topics while also responding to student's questions. The instructor will also provide a combination of hands-on and classroom lessons allowing the students to gain the practical skills necessary to use in a variety of medical emergencies.

Why Should You Choose Help-A-Heart CPR for CPR Training?
When it comes to choosing a CPR class there are a few factors to consider:

• Expertise: The CPR training provider should use instructors with knowledge and expertise who understand how to administer CPR in emergencies and have actually performed CPR in real life.
• Flexibility: The CPR training provider should have CPR classes on different days and at different times throughout the week.
• Reputation: The CPR training provider should have a positive reputation in the community, one that is built on the hard work and dedication of its staff.

CPR classes are available in many locations throughout the United States allowing individuals to locate classes without having to conduct an expansive search. However, it the expertise, flexibility, and reputation of such training center as Help-A-Heart CPR that you should search for.
Help-A-Heart CPR is a top provider of CPR classes in South-Central Texas and San Antonio. while offering a convenient training schedule with weekday and weekend classes. Our CPR classes are also designed for student's of all ages. The classes encourage collaboration and engagement and enable student's to enjoy a dynamic learning experience.
The question is: Can you afford to NOT enroll in a CPR class?. With Help-A-Heart CPR, individuals can receive extensive CPR training while gaining the medical skills needed to offer CPR and/or First Aid assistance to anyone  experiencing cardiac arrest. 
To learn more about Help-A-Heart CPR and our CPR classes, please call us at 210-380-5344.

While most people have some type of first aid kit in their home; many people are lacking a first aid kit in their automobile.
Having a well-stocked and ready-to-use first aid kit is one of the best ways you can prepare for emergencies. Medical emergencies may occur near a car while only makes it that more important to carry a first aid kit with you at all times. First Aid kits can be pre-purchased, however, the ability to customize your first kit yourself is a great advantage.
In this article, we will review the items that you need to keep in the first aid kit in your car.

1. Find a Container to Hold Your First Aid Items. Look for a container or box as opposed to a plastic or paper bag. When purchasing the first aid container also look for one 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. Begin Buying Essential First Aid Items. The following is a list of first aid items that you should always have in the first aid kit in your car:

• Cotton balls
• Cotton swabs
• Vaseline
• A digital thermometer
• Safety pins for closing bandages
• Adhesive tape
• Antibiotic ointment
• Antiseptic and hydrocortisone cream 
• 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
• Adhesive Band-Aids for covering cuts
• Gauze pads for treating wounds
• Tweezers
• Curved scissors
• A needle
• Hand sanitizer
• Saline solution for eye washing or cleaning wounds 

    3. Make Sure You Have Items for Serious Emergencies.  The following are items that you may need to use in medical emergencies such as choking, cardiac arrest, drowning, severe allergic reactions, and car accidents.​

• Hot and cold packs
• Synthetic gloves to manage and treat more serious wounds
• A CPR mask for mouth-to-mouth resuscitation
• Anti-diarrhea medication
• Epi-Pen for severe allergic reactions and anaphylaxis
• Bio-hazard bag for disposing contaminated items

Have you thought about being a lifeguard or interested in a summer job working as a lifeguard?
The role of the lifeguard is extremely important as they can truly make a difference. The U.S. Lifesaving Association (USLA) has indicated that the chance that a person will drown while attending a beach protected by a USLA-affiliated lifeguard is 1 in 18 million – or less than 1%. On the contrary, the International Life Saving Federation has stated that approximately 1.2 million people, or more than two people every minute, will die annually due to drowning. These statistics highlight the importance of lifeguards in helping drowning victims and delivering emergency assistance. 

While becoming a lifeguard does have a great deal of responsibility, it is also exciting and rewarding to become part of a team whose job is to allow people to have fun and enjoy their time in the water in a safe fashion.
With that in mind, let's examine three things that prospective lifeguards to become aware of before they actually become lifeguards.

1. Lifeguards Require Extensive Training.
The American Red Cross provides many lifeguard training classes that teach you how to recognize and prevent injuries, rescue skills that are necessary both in water and on land and life-saving first aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) training. Additionally, the Red Cross requires individuals to be at least 15 years old before enrolling in a lifeguard class. The Red Cross also mandates that individuals pass a pre-course swimming skills test prior to signing up for a lifeguard class. If you intend to become a lifeguard, enroll in the best training available. That way, you can gain the real-world skills that you’ll need to administer critical assistance in emergencies.

2. Lifeguards must be ready to handle a wide range of emergencies.
Lifeguards must be capable of providing support in many types of emergencies, including the following:

• Breathing: In a breathing emergency, a lifeguard is expected to give ventilations, remove airway obstructions and use oxygen  delivery devices.
• Cardiac: A lifeguard will need to know about the cardiac chain of survival, as well as how to assist cardiac arrest and heart attack victims.
• First Aid: A lifeguard must be able to act quickly and effectively to respond to injuries and illnesses. 

3. Being a Lifeguard, everyday is different.
When a lifeguard is on duty, many various things can occur occurring a medical crisis or emergency that requires basic level or advanced medical care. As a lifeguard, it is important to constantly search for ways to always improve and ensure time devoted to maintaining his or her training certifications. Not only does this allow the lifeguard to be consistent with the latest lifesaving techniques, but also exposes the individual to extensive expertise in administering life-saving techniques.
Training programs are available that allow lifeguards to become certified in a number of areas, including:

• Basic First Aid: Teaches individuals how to perform assessments and interventions with minimal to no medical equipment.
• Basic Life Support (BLS): Emphasizes the administration of CPR on adults, children and infants and focuses on the use of automated external defibrillators (AEDs), how to assist choking victims and other emergency response topics.

Becoming a lifeguard can be extremely rewarding while allowing you to gain experience that will transfer into other positions you have throughout your professional career. Enroll in a life-saving training program today, and you can make that first step to becoming a professional lifeguard.

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) training is vital for children. If kids can become CPR-certified, it is even possible that CPR training for kids could help decrease the loss of life in a variety of unexpected emergencies.
Here are two real-world examples which emphasize the importance of teaching kids how to administer CPR in emergencies.

1. Niyele Jenkins, a 15-year-old resident of Loveland, Colorado, recently saved her father’s life thanks in large part to the CPR training she received at her high school.
   According to the Reporter-Herald, Arabee Jenkins, Niyele’s father, went to an urgent care facility on Feb. 16. Arabee was diagnosed with strep throat and returned home with antibiotics the same day. However, on Feb. 19, Arabee felt weak at work, and his boss drove him to the emergency room. Arabee received a treatment of fluids and medication and was sent home. Then, on Feb. 20, Arabee woke up feeling ill and eventually became dizzy. He also struggled to breathe, and his body became stiff.
   Lucky for Arabee, Niyele was home. And when Arabee called for help, Niyele was ready to respond. Upon hearing her father, Niyele responded and called her mother, grandmother and 911. Meanwhile, the 911 dispatcher guided Niyele as she administered CPR to her father, who had stopped breathing several times.
   Niyele admitted she was scared to perform CPR techniques on her father, but she did not show it. Instead, she performed CPR chest compressions and rescue breaths on her father until emergency responders arrived at her home.
   Arabee was later diagnosed with sepsis and returned home several days after the incident. He praised his daughter and believes he would not be alive if not for his daughter’s heroic efforts. He also credits Niyele’s high school for providing CPR training to its students and encourages other schools to do the same.
2. In October 2017, Chuck Glover, an assistant track coach at Twinsburg High School in Ohio, suddenly collapsed at a school gym. Glover suffered a massive heart attack; he later told ABC News. Fortunately, 17-year-old high school student and lifeguard Nicole Fruscella was completing her homework near the gym at the time that Glover collapsed. And when Fruscella found out about Glover’s collapse, she was prepared to put her CPR training into action.
   Armed with an automated external defibrillator (AED), Fruscella arrived at the gym less than 3 minutes after Glover collapsed. As a lifeguard, Fruscella received CPR training twice a month and knew exactly how to set up and use the AED, she said. She followed the device’s instructions, and emergency medical services (EMS) professionals arrived on scene shortly thereafter.
   Glover received heart surgery immediately after he arrived at the hospital. He later underwent a second procedure as well.
   Glover points out he feels like Fruscella “was an angel on [his] shoulder” when he collapsed. He says Fruscella is a major reason why he is still alive today. And now, whenever Glover sees Fruscella, he wants to give her a big hug in gratitude for her life-saving efforts.
   It is also important for teachers and educators alike, to tie in safety into their curriculum

Medical emergencies can occur anywhere. They can happen at homes, schools, playgrounds and many other settings. Unfortunately, many bystanders do not know how to respond in a pro-active manner. CPR training for kids not only empowers children to become responsive and aware but also increases their self-confidence in emergency situations.
Through CPR-certification, kids can be the difference between life and death for family members, friends and others.
Parents and kids can receive their CPR certification at the same time if they enroll in classes from Help-A-Heart CPR.
Ou CPR classes are designed for individuals within all age categories and proficiency levels. Our CPR classes are taught by expert instructors who teach classes with a combination of hands-on training and video based modules. The kids received a CPR certification which is valid for two years.
To find out more about our CPR training classes, please contact us today at 210-380-5344.