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

At CPR Choice we get to train heroes almost every day.   We train fireman, police, doctors, nurses, EMTs, soldiers and more. When you think of heroes those are usually the people that come to mind, right? While all of those people are heroes we also train a totally different group of heroes…TEACHERS!

This week is Teacher Appreciation Week and we want to take a minute to say “thank you!”. Teachers sacrifice so much of their lives and time for our children and they don’t get thanked nearly enough. Now that I have a child in the school system (First grade), I can say that my son’s teachers have truly amazed me. They do so many little things to try and make his learning experience better. I know that they spend money out of their own pockets to decorate their classrooms and to have little treats for the kids.

Summer is almost here! Don’t forget to acknowledge and appreciate your child’s teachers. I read a quote once that said, “summer vacation is a time when parents realize that teachers are grossly underpaid”. This is so true!

We want to extend a special discount for our teacher heroes. Many schools require teachers to be CPR certified but they expect teachers to pay for it on their own. We recommend that all school staff be certified in CPR and for several staff members to be certified in first aid. We read stories every day about teachers preventing fatalities at school due to their CPR knowledge. You never know when you might need to use those skills and we want you to feel prepared. Sign up for a CPR class today and take advantage of our discount for teachers!

June 1-7 is National CPR and AED Awareness Week. We’re pleased to support the American Heart Association and its important mission to increase survival from cardiac arrest. We’re asking all members within our community to please take one minute of your day to learn the lifesaving skills of Hands-Only™ CPR.

Also, for CPR awareness week we are hosting a free community CPR class called, Knoxville Knows CPR! Our mission is to save lives; both in the classroom and in our community.  We think this is the best way that we can accomplish both!  Everyone needs to learn CPR!

I am requesting your help addressing a health concern that impacts our entire community. According to the American Heart Association, 90 percent of people who suffer out-of-hospital cardiac arrests die. CPR, especially if performed immediately, can double or triple a cardiac arrest victim’s chance of survival. If you are called on to give CPR in an emergency, you will most likely be trying to save the life of someone you love: a spouse, parent, child or friend.  Many bystanders feel helpless when they see someone go down because they don’t know what to do.  Just learning 2 simple steps can make a huge difference in the victim’s outcome.

We will be teaching hands-only CPR and focusing on how learning 2 steps can save lives.
1) Call 911 & get the AED
2) Begin hands only CPR (compressions only)

What: Knoxville Knows CPR, Free Community CPR Class
When: Sunday, June 7th at 2PM
Where: The Zone Sporting Complex, 5331 Western Ave.  Knoxville, TN
Why: It is CPR Awareness Week
(Donations are welcome; all proceeds will benefit Hearts for the Homeless)

If you can’t make it to our class, at least visit the AHA website and learn Hand’s Only CPR.  You may wonder why this is such an important cause. Your life is why! In just one minute, you can learn the two simple steps of Hands-Only™ CPR.  Please watch the video any day from June 1 through 7. Then share the link with family and friends, and ask them to learn CPR.

Thank you so much!  Learn to save a life!

 CPR Choice has started a new project called, Hearts for the Homeless.  For the next 50 days, we will be collecting hygiene, food and necessary items to help the homeless in Knox & Blount county.  Our mission is to save lives and we want to do more to help save lives in our community.

• Toothbrush
• Tooth Paste
• Soap
• Deodorant
• Razor & Shaving cream
• Socks
• Chapstick
• Sunscreen
• Wet Wipes
• Shampoo/Conditioner
• Bandaids
• Lotion
• Hair comb
• Granola bars
• Peanut Butter crackers
• Apple Sauce
• Water

*Source: KARM

Have you ever tried an energy drink? If you did, did you experience an immediate energy boost?  Energy drinks continue to increase in popularity and marketing has been expanded to all age groups – young and old. I’m sure with the pressures of our fast paced environment, people feel the need to have that extra spark.

According to Transparency Market Research, they estimate that the energy drink market will grow over 10% in 2016 and currently it’s a 10 billion dollar industry. The manufactures of these products feel that health conscious folks will continue to be attracted to their product to help them remain active and alert.

What’s in an Energy Drink?

Red Bull and Gatorade hold the market share today on energy drinks. And I’m sure you all have seen the appealing marketing associated with these drinks. I mean really who wouldn’t want the additional support Red Bull claims to provide so you can be fully focused on your job or at your peak performance if you’re an athlete? It’s been said that Red Bull gives you wings.   The ingredients in a Red Bull Energy drink seem harmless:

• Caffeine- one 8.4 oz. can contains 80mg of caffeine
• Taurine
• B Vitamins
• Sucrose & Glucose- one 8.4 oz. can contains 27g of sucrose/glucose, comparable to orange or apple juice (sugar free options are available too)
• Alpine Spring Water

In comparison, a short (8oz) cup of Starbucks coffee has 180 mg of caffeine.

Why the worry?

Some energy drinks also contain additional ingredients or stimulants such as ginseng, guarana and taurine, which is also in Red Bull. These ingredients have caffeine concentrations that are equal to or higher than the caffeine actually found in coffee and consuming high doses of any of these can be dangerous. So to sum it up, some energy drinks will mask the amount of caffeine actually found in their products.

As a result of the higher amounts of caffeine and sugar, arrhythmias can develop in young and old. It’s scary to think that about 31% of teenagers between the ages of 12 and 19 regularly consume energy drinks. Some studies have shown that consumption of energy drinks have led to sudden cardiac deaths in young, healthy individuals. Energy drinks can also increase blood pressure, increased heart rate, restlessness and insomnia.

Some established guidelines should be followed when making the choice to consume an energy drink:

• Limit the quantity of drinks you consume- the recommendation for a healthy adolescent is one can.
• Avoid any energy drink before or during sports.
• Avoid mixing with alcohol.
• Never consume an energy drink if you have an underlying medical condition and discuss any concerns you have with your family doctor.

How can you manage without an energy drink?

Just like with any drink or food or process – education is the key! Do your homework, investigate what you are putting in to your body and learn to fuel your body the right way. Try these tips to maintain your energy throughout the day:

• Eat lean proteins and smart carbohydrates such as almonds, cheese and greek yogurt.
• Try to take a 20 minute nap during the day, if possible
• Get up and move around- avoid sitting for long periods of time

Another way to educate yourself in case you are in an emergency situation, such as a sudden cardiac arrest, is to learn the life-saving skills of CPR! CPR Choice has convenient classes located in multiple areas, including Knoxville, Maryville and Tricities.   To schedule a class today, visit www.knoxvillecpr.com or www.tricitiescpr.com. We’d love to see you in a class!

sources:
http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/energy-drinks-market.html
http://www.caffeineinformer.com/the-complete-guide-to-starbucks-caffeine

As personal trainers , you’ve made the decision to go into the growing and ever evolving world of exercise science. Cardiovascular training and weightlifting are important parts of keeping the heart and body healthy.  However, it is important to understand the risks involved and be prepared to act should an emergency occur.

Exercise tolerance is defined as the ability of the cardiac, pulmonary, and vascular systems to meet the requirements generated by large muscle use.  Simply put, can the body move enough oxygen to the muscles fast enough? If one system fails to keep up, your client could experience cardiac arrest and need CPR. While the goal is to better ones exercise tolerance, pushing someone too hard or to0 fast could be detrimental.

It is important for personal trainers to form a close relationship with all their clients in order to create a program within his or her functional physical capabilities. Ultimately, it is the trainer’s responsibility to understand your clients’ medical history and physical boundaries.

There are multiple ailments that may increase your clients risk of heart failure:

• History of Heart Attack
• History of Stroke
• Poor bloodflow
• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
• Poor aerobic metabolism (Inability of muscles to process oxygen)

Thorough understanding of CPR and the ability to act responsibly are critical in the moments between cardiac arrest and EMS arrival on scene. Immediate CPR and AED use could be the difference should a life and death situation present itself. We not only strongly urge personal trainers to receive CPR training, but most personal training certifications such as the American Council on Exercise (ACE) or the Aerobics and Fitness Association of America (AFAA) require it.  Many gyms are also equipped with Automated External defibrillators (AED) and require personal trainers, fitness instructors and staff to be certified in both CPR & AED. Sign up for our Heartsaver CPR & AED course!

For more information on the correlation between exercise and heart failure, please visit the American Heart Association.

Epinephrine Pens, or Epi Pens, are special syringes that are pre-filled with a prescription dose of epinephrine to be administered in the event of a severe allergic reaction. Epinephrine Pens can save the lives of people who suffer life threatening reactions to allergens such as bee stings, nuts and other foods. The dosage is often suited to the person whom it was prescribed. It is important for people who have been prescribed an Epinephrine Pen to always carry it with them and make sure co-workers, teachers and peers know how to administer it in the case of an emergency.

Operating an Epinephrine Pen is very straightforward.

• The first step is to remove the safety cap (on the back).
• The person administering the shot will hold the pen in their fist and push the needle end firmly into the victim in the side of the thigh muscle (between the hip and the knee).
• Hold the epinephrine pen in place for ten seconds, taking care to not twist or move the needle.
• After 10 seconds, the Epinephrine Pen is removed and a protective, safety sheath will cover the needle.
• After giving the injection rub the area of the shot for 10 seconds, to help get the medication into the bloodstream.
• One should also make note of the time the shot was delivered and then dispose of the Epinephrine Pen in a designated sharps container.

If at all possible, the person who is prescribed the Epinephrine Pen should deliver the shot to themselves, but in the event of a sudden, severe reaction, may need help. Advanced medical help should be notified and advised of the type of allergy, approximate time of the reaction and the time the epinephrine was administered. It is important to stay with the victim until medical help arrives.  It may take a few minutes for the medicine to start working.

Sometimes the first exposure to an allergen may result in life threatening anaphylaxis reactions. Medical professionals also stress that delaying treatment with epinephrine in the case of the severe reactions is more likely to result in death. It is because of this warning, more schools are stocking extra Epi Pens and training personnel on their use. Tennessee passed legislation in 2013, joining 28 other states, to allow schools to keep epinephrine pens in stock and administer them in the case of an emergency.

Learn how to administer Epinephrine in one of our Heartsaver first aid classes.  We also offer a Pediatric specific first aid class for daycares, churches, preschools and businesses working with children.  Our first aid course covers a lot of subjects and will teach you what to do in an emergency.

Heartsaver CPR & First Aid Course curriculum:

• Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)
• Child & Infant CPR
• Conscious & Unconscious Choking (Heimlich)
• Automated External Defibrillator (AED)
• Medical Emergencies
• Injury emergencies
• Environmental emergencies

Click here for more info about the prescribed drug Epinephrine or to learn how Epinephrine works.