CPR Choice has a special promotion for Businesses! Whether your company has 8 employees or 40, book a class before the end of the year and receive a FREE 351 piece First Aid Kit for your business. The Be Smart Get Prepared First Aid Kit complies or exceeds all OSHA/ANSI/ISEA z308.1-2015 guidelines for small businesses. It can be carried around for portability or mounted on a wall in a central location. Ideal for home, school, office restaurants, daycare or recreational use. Some of the pieces included are;

• Sting Relief Pads
• Antiseptic Towelettes
• Burn Dressing
• Burn Cream
• Butterfly Bandages
• Adhesive Bandages
• Finger Splints
• Nitrile Exam Gloves
• Barrier Breather
• Metal Scissors

And so much more! Please note that the class does not need to be held in December but must be scheduled.

CPR Choice offers CPR, First Aid and AED training. CPR Choice not only offers BLS courses but also basic CPR classes through the American Heart Association (AHA) as well as the American Safety and Health Institute (ASHI). Not only do we offer public classes but we can also do On Site training at your location right. We service cities from Nashville, Knoxville, Kingsport and Johnson City. Ask us how to get Discounted Pricing.

CPR can be a life saver and knowing the skills can literally be the difference between life and death in many cases. Sign your group up today! We offer flexible class options, visit our training calendar at knoxvillecpr.com.

AEDs can be a critical part of survival for anyone experiencing sudden cardiac arrest, which is the leading cause of death in the United States.  As we have shared in the past, sudden cardiac arrest can happen to anyone, anywhere, and at any time.  Minutes count and CPR along with AEDs are most effective tools to help restore a heart rhythm.

Did you know that after calling 9-1-1 the average response time for a first responder is approximately 6-12 minutes and according to the American Red Cross every minute you are delayed reduces your chance of survival by 10%?  Again, minutes count….

What can you do to make sure you are ready for a sudden cardiac arrest emergency?

1. Make sure you and your family know First Aid & CPR! Make sure to include your children in the learning process and continue to talk about what to do in case of an emergency.  CPR Choice offers classes all over East TN and it’s our passion to equip our students with the skills needed to help save a life.   Remember—most incidents occur at home, which means you’ll be learning the skills to save a loved one.
2. Make sure you have access to an AED. Check around your office, school or place of business –the cost of the machine is well worth the life it could save.   And no need to worry if you can operate one in a medical emergency situation- the AEDs are designed to walk you thru the steps in an easy to use format.  Visit AEDChoice.com for more info.

So just how easy are AEDs to use?  One word—simple!   AEDS provide basic instructions and diagrams for use.  All the items needed are contained in the AED itself and all you have to do is turn it on, apply the pads in the appropriate spots and follow directions.  Don’t forget to call 911 or have someone call, have someone get the AED, and remember CPR should be administered while the AED is being located and set up.

The AED will automatically determine the heart rhythm of a pulseless victim and if the victim needs a shock it will act.  This shock will attempt to restore the victim’s heart.  When the heart is in ventricular fibrillation or v-fib, the heart is still receiving nerve impulses.  These impulses are so out of sync keeping the heart from producing a regular beat.  As you know, when the heart doesn’t beat it’s unable to pump blood and oxygen throughout the body.  This could cause the body to be deprived of oxygen causing brain cells to die in a matter of 4-5 minutes.

CPR Choice also sells AEDs, provides you with training and also helps you determine the best place for storage as well as maintenance support.  Contact us today to schedule a First Aid, CPR & AED course for you, your family and place of employment.   We offer classes all over East Tennessee and we also offer onsite training.  Visit CPRChoice.com for our training options!

CPR Choice is continuing to grow!  We are excited to announce our newest instructor Beth Cruz and our new class offering Advanced Cardiac Life Support or ACLS.

Beth has been a Registered Nurse over 20 years, and has been teaching CPR to healthcare providers and her community for over 15 years.  She joins CPR Choice as an instructor for Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS), and Basic Life Support (BLS) instructor.  Beth is also an adjunct nursing faculty member at Walters State Community College and King University.  We are thrilled to have her as a member of the CPR Choice family & excited to offer additional classes to our students.

Advanced Cardiac Life Support or ACLS is an advanced class designed for healthcare professionals, including personnel engaged in emergency response, emergency medicine, intensive care and/or critical care units.  Building from the foundation of our existing BLS for Healthcare Providers class, ACLS focuses on team dynamics and communication, systems of care, and post cardiac arrest care.  It also incorporates airway management and related pharmacology.

Visit CPRchoice.com for a full listing of all classes offered, our training calendar and our instructors.  We can accommodate any size and offer multiple classes opportunities in multiple counties.  We look forward to seeing you in an ACLS class soon!

Here in East Tennessee, we are blessed with distinct season and summer is one of my favorites! Rosy checks, shorts and Chacos quickly become the dress code. As you venture out for summer activities, make sure you and your family are prepared for the unexpected- water safety and heat stroke.

Water safety should be a high priority! Swimming is a popular summer activity and preparing yourself and your family is key. Did you know that drowning accounts for over 4000 deaths each year? One way to help reduce the number of victims is to make sure everyone has enrolled in swim lessons and/or use life vests properly to ensure safety.

Be on the lookout for these signs of drowning:

• Drowning victims tend to be quiet and normally don’t make a lot of noise.
• If people are missing, especially children, look in the water first. The victims can appear to be lethargic and/or will be found unresponsive either floating in the water or submerged.

Quick action is required for a positive outcome for a drowning victim. The quicker they are removed from the water and first aid administered the greater the chance of recovery. What should you do if you find someone with signs of drowning?

1. Check to see if the victim is conscious or unconscious.
2. Ask someone to call 9-1-1 and get an automated external defibrillator (AED).
3. Attempt to remove the victim from the water. Perform “rescue breathing” if necessary. This can be started in the water, but all other care requires the victim to be out of the waters.
4. Once out of the water
   1. If the victim is breathing place them on their side in the recovery position to prevent aspiration, which is inhaling vomit into the lungs.
   2. If the victim is not breathing and has no pulse, start CPR immediately. Continue CPR until a medical emergency person or another trained individual
5. Be on the lookout for dry drowning or secondary drowning too. This can occur up to 24 hours after swimming. Monitor breathing, listen for a persistent cough, chest pain, mental status and pay attention to skin color. Call 911 if you suspect dry drowning- the victim will need oxygen supplementation.

Heat Stroke is another dangerous situation that will require immediate medical attention. Heatstroke occurs when your core body temperature rises above 104 degrees Fahrenheit, causing your internal organs to not function property. Heatstroke also called sunstroke, is a result of external environmental factors, such as being outside or exerting yourself physically on a very hot day. Susceptibility to heat stroke increases with age, weight, some medications and your medical history. Keep in mind, some heart medications, such as beta blocker, calcium channel blockers and diuretics can cause the body to have an adverse reaction to the heat.

What can you do if you suspect someone is experiencing Heatstroke?

1. Instruct someone to call 9-1-1, heatstroke is life-threatening.
2. Attempt to cool the patient’s body. Get them out of the sun, provide them with a cool drink (no caffeine) and use cool air to fan them.

CPR Choice offers first aid training to help prepare you and your family in these types of medical emergencies. Having the skills to perform CPR in an emergency can make the difference between life and death. Sign up for a class today. Visit www.cprchoice.com and chose a convenient location & class. We offer classes all over the East Tennessee area and our instructors are the best around. Give us a try!

http://www.inquisitr.com/931331/drowning-statistics-men-three-times-more-likely-to-drown-than-women/

http://newsroom.heart.org/news/learn-the-signs-of-heatstroke

The statistics are unimaginable….without an AED, approximately 95% of heart attacks on golf courses are fatal.  According to the American Heart Association, golf courses have become the most common place for a heart attack making AEDS or automated external defibrillators a necessity in every club house.

Sudden cardiac arrest, or SCA, is the leading cause of death in the United States.  SCA occurs when the heart stops beating, which stops the blood from flowing throughout the body.  The risk for SCA increases with age and men are about 3 times more likely to experience SCA than women.

Here are some signs to look for

• Chest pains
• Nausea
• Shortness of breath
• Vomiting
• Prior to fainting or losing consciousness, some may experience a racing heartbeat or a dizzy feeling
• Loss of consciousness or fainting
• No heartbeat of pulse

What Should You Do if this occurs:

• Call 911! Have someone in your group call 9-1-1 and retrieve the AED. If you are alone on the golf course with your buddy, call 9-1-1 first and get an AED if possible.
• Are they breathing? If NO, start CPR immediately! Use an AED as soon as possible.
• Continue CPR until the individual starts breathing or until medical support arrives.

How Can Your Golf Club Prepare:

All golf clubs should have AED’s in their clubhouses and there should be portable devices located throughout the course.  When you check in for your tee time—ask where their AEDs are located so you’ll be prepared in the event of an emergency.   Also this is a great opportunity to make sure that everyone is CPR certified in your golfing group.

As a reminder, if an AED is used within 5 minutes of a Sudden Cardiac collapse the survival rates are approximately 70% as compared to the 5% survival rate without one!  Golf courses are listed as the top places in which cardiac arrests can occur.  Be informed and inform your favorite golf club about why an AED is important!

CPR Choice is your go-to place for AEDs and CPR certification training.  We sell state of the art AEDs to families and businesses and provide support on training, as well as maintenance requirements.  We also offer convenient CPR, First Aid and AED classes all over Knoxville and the surrounding counties.  Visit our website at www.cprchoice.com for additional information on AEDs and our class schedules.

 http://www.golfwisconsin.com/articles

Our mission is saving lives!  We continuously strive to be the best CPR Provider in the region by offering quality training that is engaging, convenient and fun for everyone.  To help make CPR easy, CPR Choice offers:

• Convenient Locations– CPR Choice prides itself on offering classes all over the Knoxville and surrounding counties. We offer classroom training at our Knoxville Training Center, as well as classes in the following areas:
  • Lenoir City
  • Maryville
  • Oak Ridge
  • Sevierville
  • Tricities

We also offer on-site training. Gather a group of 8 or more and we’ll come to you. We can accommodate any size group and we have worked with some of the largest companies in Knoxville.

• Flexible Schedules– We offer classes consistently all over Knoxville and the surrounding counties. Our Knoxville Training Center schedules classes each week & offers weekend options too. We can also accommodate any last minute training needs. With our organizational structure, we can offer classes for any shifts for your employees and/or businesses.
• State of the Art Equipment– Our modern and up-to-date equipment offer students hands on training with life-like manikins to provide visual feedback regarding compression depths and speed. We have over 50 manikins in inventory, offering all our students an opportunity to have practical experience
• Wide Variety of classes– Our classes include:
  • Basic Life Support BLS for Healthcare Providers
  • Heartsaver ® CPR AED
  • Heartsaver ® First Aid CPR AED
  • Heartsaver ® Pediatric CPR/AED & First Aid
  • Family & Friends ® CPR
  • Blood Borne Pathogens
  • BLS for Healthcare Providers Skills Check
  • BLS for Healthcare Providers Challenge
  • Online Training (Blended Learning)
  • ASHI Emergency Oxygen Administration

Starting July 2015, we will also be adding ACLS (Advanced Cardiac Life Support) and PALS (Pediatric Advanced Life Support) to our curriculum.  Continue to check our website for new class offerings, www.cprchoice.com.

• We make it FUN! We deliver quality training with the most experienced instructors in the area, boasting a combined 85 years’ experience in CPR and safety training. Our staff members are passionate about their job and incorporates their real-life training knowledge into the class room offering a fun, engaging and informative experience.

Visit our website www.CPRChoice.com to learn more about our locations, classes and our team!  We would love to see YOU in a CPR class soon!

CPR Choice is offering a Summer Special! Gather your friends, choose a date for your group’s training class and we will give you an extra benefit! Enlist 5 friends and we will give you a free pass.   This offer is perfect for your vacation bible school group, swim club, book club, sports team or any other group of friends or family. Be prepared as summer approaches and schedules change- you never know when someone might need CPR. And remember most likely it will be a loved one!

CPR Choice offers CPR classes, including instruction for First Aid and AED training.  As part of the First Aid instruction we will review several types of medical emergencies including stroke, electrocution, shock, chocking and more. CPR, First Aid and AED is easy to learn and easy to administer!

CPR can be a life saver and knowing the skills can literally be the difference between life and death in many cases. Sign your group up today! We offer flexible class options, visit our training calendar at www.knoxvillecpr.com.

And remember get a group of 5 and yours is free!

Using tourniquets can save lives.  However, it is important to be knowledgeable about the technique.  In the 2010 AHA CPR and First Aid Guidelines:  the use of tourniquets has been endorsed in both the professional setting and in the public sector.  Tourniquets should always be a last resort to effectively stop bleeding and you should always try to control with direct pressure first.  The tourniquet should be utilized for extremity bleeding only and placed approximately 2 inches above the injury.  It is important to note that the bleeding will become worse before it gets better, continue tightening the tourniquet until bleeding is stopped.

Steps to Apply a Tourniquet:

• Position and tie the tourniquet 2 inches above the injury
• Apply a windlass
• Twist the windlass until bleeding stops
• Note the time the tourniquet was applied

Specifically designed tourniquets do work better than improvised ones.  Make sure to note the time in which the tourniquet is applied and pass this information on to EMS providers.  There are potential dangers in prolonged tourniquet application, but the benefits of controlling life threatening bleeding outweigh the risks.

Tourniquets were not endorsed for a wide range of studies as they can damage soft tissue, and applied incorrectly they can make bleeding worse.  It wasn’t until the most recent military experience that they were brought back into use.  Military study in the Middle East conflict proved them to be a necessity, and has pushed medicine to explore great advances in limb re-perfusion.  Now they are being utilized even in surgical settings- enabling doctors to limit bleeding in the controlled setting as well.

The American Academy of Dermatology designated May as National Melanoma Skin Cancer Prevention month and the main purpose is to raise awareness about skin cancer.   Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer in the United States and is the result of accumulated sun damage to the skin over long periods of time.

Early detection is crucial in the fight against melanoma, because it does not respond well to chemotherapy and the best course of action if to remove the affected area. If not caught early, it can spread internally to other parts of the body.

There are 3 types of skin cancer:

• Melanoma or mole cancer – appears as a dark brown spot that will slowly increase in size. Usually different shades of brown, blue or black can occur within the spot. While they can appear anywhere, the most common areas are the back, arms, and legs. This type of cancer is very serious and can spread internally. Remember early detection is the key.
• Basal Cell Carcinoma – this is the most common type of skin cancer and usually occurs on the head, neck, back or chest. It can appear in different forms, but the majority of the time it looks like a small pink or pearly raised bump that later develops as a non-healing sore within its center. It will slowly enlarge and gradually grow deeper and deeper into the skin. This type of cancer usually does not spread internally and can be treated quickly and easily if caught early.
• Squamous cell carcinoma – occurs most likely on the head, neck, hands and arms. Its appearance is rough, warty-like yellowish and hard with a pink edge. The center can erode causing a sore that will bleed easily. This type of cancer will spread and is usually confined to the lymph node glands beneath the skin. Again, easily treated if caught in time!

How can you prevent skin cancer?

2 words—-APPLY SUNSCREEN!  Sunscreens are most effective when applied 20-30 minutes before sun exposures.  Also, keep in mind approximately one ounce is needed for an adult body.  It’s that easy, using a sunscreen of 30 SPF or higher and regularly applying to the constantly sun exposed areas is all you have to do! You should also avoid intentionally tanning your skin either with natural light or a tanning bed.

Take the time this month to make a skin cancer checkup appointment with a dermatologist. And start paying attention to your body- so you can be aware of any changes. CPR Choice wants you to be around a long time! Do it now, do it for you, do it for your family!

There is no doubt that we love our pets and would do anything to keep them healthy & happy. According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, they estimate that approximately 57% of United States households have animals and over 63% of these households consider their pets family members. Our fur babies can have medical emergencies too. Would you know how to perform CPR on your pet? We have outlined some steps below to help if your pet needs CPR.

1. Check the airway – Is it clear? Open the animal’s mouth and check for any obstruction. Remove anything that could be blocking the airway.
2. Tilt the head and give several breaths. For large dogs, it is recommended that you close the jaw and breathe into the nose. Watch to make sure the animal’s chest rises and give 2 breaths. For smaller dogs or cats you may be able to cup or cover the nose and mouth together as you provide the 2 breaths. Again, watch for the chest to rise.
3. Chest compressions are next! For large dogs try to position the dog on his back and perform chest compressions just as you would for a human. For smaller dogs and cats, the animals should be on their side and focus your compressions on the rib cage area. The rate of compressions will depend on the size of the dog or cat.

 

• If your dog weighs more than 60 lbs. use 60 compressions per minute
• Any animal between 11-60 lbs. use 80-100 compressions per minute
• Animals that are less than 10lbs use 120 compression per minute

 

4. Don’t forget to alternate breaths with compressions! Use the same rate of compressions to breaths as humans, which is 30:2.
5. Continue to perform CPR on your animal until you get a response or until they begin breathing on their own.

Every animal lover should be familiar with these steps. Actually these are skills everyone needs. CPR Choice is passionate about equipping you with the skills need to help save a life! Visit the CPR Training Calendar today and sign up for a class- knoxvillecpr.com and tricitiescpr.com. Remember the life you save, could be a family member or close friend.

Sources: https://www.avma.org/KB/Resources/Statistics/Pages/Market-research-statistics-US-pet-ownership.aspx