Life Saving CPR Training on YouTube

You can now watch Life Saving CPR Training on YouTube to get quick CPR and First Aid skill lessons. We have only just started; currently we have two First Aid skills lessons, a manikin demonstration, and one longer CPR presentation posted with much more to come. Check out and follow our YouTube page here to be notified when we post future videos.

Future Life Saving CPR Training on YouTube videos will be posted in individual blog posts but our currently available videos are included below.

If after seeing our Life Saving CPR Training on YouTube you are ready to take your CPR skills to the next level. Come to Life Saving CPR Training in Sacramento California for your American Heart Association (AHA) CPR course. Find the class schedule and sign up online at https://cprskillssacramento.com/ or call at (916) 672-2008. #LifeIsWhy we learn CPR, because #CPRSavesLives!

National CPR and AED Awareness Week

June 1st through June 7th is National CPR and AED Awareness Week! This is a week to spotlight Cardiac Arrest is one of the leading causes of death in America and that using CPR and an AED are the best ways to save lives in these emergencies. Do your part and learn CPR today!

Participate in National CPR and AED Awareness Week by learning the CPR Basics here. Make sure to identity the person needs CPR, know the difference between Heart Attack vs Cardiac Arrest. Call 911 right away and start Hands Only CPR immediately. “Hands Only CPR” is were you focus exclusively on the most important basic part of CPR the CPR Compressions. This is the bare essentials, but if you can do more and know how then you can help even more. If you know How to use an AED that can greatly improve the chance of survival for the person needing CPR. Always request an AED and just turn it on when it arrives, it will tell you what to do. Many people are uncomfortable with the idea of giving breaths to someone they don’t know, so the basics of CPR exclude this step. Compressions and the AED are more important that respirations, but if you do know how to give Rescue Breaths that can help even more. For more on CPR and AED Awarness week check out this AHA resource here.

You are now more prepared to act in a CPR emergency! Take your National CPR and AED Awareness Week to the next level by completing an actual American Heart Association (AHA) CPR course at Life Saving CPR Training in Sacramento California. We offer a few different levels of CPR certification, find the right course for you! Learn the Difference between Heartsaver CPR and BLS here or take the Friends & Family CPR course. See the course schedule and sign up for a course on the website https://cprskillssacramento.com/ or call (916) 672-2008. #LifeIsWhy we learn CPR, because #CPRSavesLives!

What are the differences between Red Cross and AHA CPR Courses?

CPR Certification is required for many professions. It is a valuable skill for anyone wishing to be more prepared to save lives in a emergency, so potentially useful for anyone and everyone. When it is time to find a Training Organization to take your CPR Certification Course you will find that there are many different options. Not all CPR courses are created equal. Outside of the numerous third party training organizations, many of which do not meet standard guidelines, the two most recognized organizations are The American Red Cross and The American Heart Association (AHA). Here we will highlight the differences between Red Cross and AHA CPR Courses.

The first and likely most important of the differences between Red Cross and AHA CPR Courses is that they offer different courses that will fulfill different requirements. If you are required to take a CPR course for your employment they may require that you take a particular course from a particular organization. These requirements will vary depending on your specific employer so its important to double check with them to make sure you get the correct course that they request. To illustrate; it is very common for most healthcare professions, like nursing, dental, and paramedic, to require the AHA course Basic Life Support (BLS) Provider CPR. It is fairly common for most athletic professions, like lifeguards and coaches, to require Red Cross CPR. Other professions requiring CPR, like teachers and construction workers, are less standardized and may or may not require one or the other.

If you’re not required to take this course or that, there are very few other differences between Red Cross and AHA CPR Courses. What is the same? Both offer in-person and Online Training options. For the online option, both require an in-person Skills Session after the online portion is complete. Both offer a more in-depth CPR course for “professional” rescuers and a CPR course for laypeople. The CPR material covered is also much the same. CPR basics for Adults, Children, Infants, and the Use of the AED utilize the same skills and are based on the same standards. Course prices and lengths are similar but will vary based on the particular Training Site. After a recent update both AHA and the Red Cross offer two year certification for all of their courses. After the certification expires you will need to renew to remain certified.

The biggest differences between Red Cross and AHA CPR Courses lies in the organizations themselves. The American Heart Association (AHA) is primarily a research organization in addition to a CPR Trainer. They fund and conduct much of the research the establishes what works and what doesn’t work in the science of resuscitation and CPR. They publish the CPR guidelines every five years and other organizations, like the Red Cross, update their courses accordingly. If you’re looking for the CPR information directly from the organization that knows whats working then the AHA is your choice. The American Red Cross is a charity and relief volunteer organization in addition to a CPR Trainer. If you’re interested in donating blood or helping with disaster relief then the Red Cross is where to look.

If you are ready to learn CPR now, come to Life Saving CPR Training in Sacramento California. We are an American Heart Association (AHA) Training Site. You can sign up online at https://cprskillssacramento.com/. Call (916) 672-2008 with questions or to sign up by phone. #LifeIsWhy we learn CPR, because #CPRSavesLives!

CPR for Massage Therapists

CPR is one of those skills we hope we never have to use. The truth is Cardiac Arrest happens, and you never know where you might run into this life threatening emergency. Those of us who provide a service to the general public have a greater chance of encountering sudden health problems in our clients and need to know how to respond. Massage Therapists who own their own massage practice or operate as self-employed independent contractors are required to know CPR and maintain a current CPR certification in Sacramento County. It is not a requirement to know CPR to be a Massage Therapist in California in general, although it is a requirement in other states. It is a requirement for a Massage Establishment Special Business Licence under the stipulations of the Sacramento County Code.

CPR for Massage Therapists is the same CPR for everyone! You can get your American Heart Association (AHA) CPR Certification at Life Saving CPR Training in Sacramento California. The best CPR course for your needs is the Heartsaver CPR/AED course. This course covers Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) for adults, children, and infants. The use of the AED (Automated External Defibrillator) and techniques to relive choking in about 2 hours. This is an official 2 year certification that will fulfill the Sacramento County licence requirement. There is an additional optional First Aid portion covered in an extra 2 hours. The First Aid portion is not part of the licence requirement but it covers many other essential topics that all would benefit from knowing. Some of the First Aid topics include medical emergencies like seizure, stroke, and asthma; injury emergencies like bleeding/tourniquet use, burns, and allergic reactions; and environmental emergencies like bites and stinks from ticks or bees, heat emergency, and poising; and many others. Feel free to click on any of the linked topics above to find more in-depth information about those topics in my other blogs.

To sign up for your CPR for Massage Therapists course at Life Saving CPR Training in Sacramento California online visit my website https://cprskillssacramento.com/. There you will find the different CPR courses offered and by clicking on your course of choice you will find the schedule. Also, feel free to call (916) 672-2008 with any questions or to sign up for a course by phone. #LifeIsWhy we learn CPR, because #CPRSavesLives!

February is American Heart Month

It’s February, that means it’s American Heart Month! This month we focus on Heart Disease which is a leading cause of death in America. By raising awareness during this month and through events like National Heart Valve Disease Awareness Day and National Wear Red Day we hope to raise funds and educate the public. Visit the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute website to find out how to get involved!

The first step is educating yourself for American Heart Month! Heart Disease is not just a leading cause of death in America it is The Lead cause. Every year in America 1 in 4 deaths are caused by heart disease. This is more than auto accidents, drug abuse, and cancer. Heart disease doesn’t just happen to the elderly, it can happen to anyone and the number of events in younger people are currently rising. The reason heart disease is becoming more common even among younger people is because the risk factors are happening to younger people. One of the lead causes of this increase is Obesity. Carrying extra weight buts strain on the heart. In America obesity is on the rise for younger and younger people. There are many other risk factors including but not limited to High Blood Pressure, High Cholesterol, Diabetes, and Smoking. Some of the best ways to control or limit these risks is to eat healthy, stay active, and avoid smoking. To learn more about Heart Disease, the risk factors, and how to manage them check out the CDC health website here.

Another great thing to do during American Heart Month is learn CPR! At Life Saving CPR Training in Sacramento California you will learn the most effective techniques of CPR via the American Heart Association (AHA) courses. Visit the website: https://cprskillssacramento.com/ to find your AHA course of choice, the schedule, and sign up for class online. Or call (916) 672-2008 with any questions and to sign up for class by phone. #LifeIsWhy we learn CPR, because #CPRSavesLives!

New Year’s Resolution to Learn CPR

The New Year is a great time to establish new habits! One common New Year’s resolution is to be more healthy. This resolution can come in many forms, some diet, some resolve to cut out sugar or alcohol, and many join a gym. While many recommit themselves to personal health you can also make yourself ready to respond in an emergency. This year make your New Year’s Resolution to protect your coworkers, friends and family by learning American Heart Association (AHA) CPR at Life Saving CPR Training!

The New Year’s Resolution to learn CPR is an achievable goal! Unlike your goal to go to the gym, you can schedule a CPR class at Life Saving CPR Training nearly any day of the week and within hours complete your CPR certification. Like your diet this training is a commitment, but not a daily one, your AHA CPR certification is good for two years. So renewing your CPR doesn’t have to be done every year, just every other year. Luckily you are not likely to need to use your CPR skills everyday. The truth is you will never know where or when the emergency may strike and with this certification you will be ready.

Learning CPR as your New Year’s Resolution can really save lives! Every year 450,000 Americans die from cardiac arrest. More that 350,000 of those arrests occurred outside of the hospital. Currently about 90% of the people who experience an out of hospital cardiac arrest die. Immediate CPR and quick use of an AED can double or even triple the chance of survival. This is why these CPR skills are so important and why learning them should be your bi-annual New Year’s Resolution! Learn more statistics about CPR from the AHA here.

The first step to completing this New Year’s Resolution is to schedule your American Heart Association (AHA) CPR course at Life Saving CPR Training in Sacramento California. Visit the website: https://cprskillssacramento.com/ to find the class roster and to sign up for your course. If you are a group of 4 or more and interested in a private CPR training or the “Friends and Family” CPR course please inquire here. You can also call at (916) 672-2008 with your questions of to sign up by phone. #LifeIsWhy we learn CPR, because #CPRSavesLives!

Bee Sting First Aid

First Aid for a Bee Sting is about getting away from the area, removing the stinger, washing the area, treating pain, and watching for allergic reactions. Most bee stings will only require home first aid, but if someone has a sever allergic reaction then they may require advanced medical care. A good precaution when working in areas with bees is to wear protective clothing. A bee sting can happen anywhere and these steps can help you treat it.

The first step in treating a Bee Sting is to get out of the immediate area of the sting. Bees most often sting when they feel threatened. If you leave the area in which you were stung you may avoid receiving additional stings from other bees. Then we want to remove the stinger. Bees are the only insect that leaves its stinger, wasps and other stinging insects will not leave the stinger. You want to remove it in a way that will not pinch the venom sack. The recommendation is to use a straight dull object like a credit or ID card. Scrape or flick the card along the skin until the stinger is removed. If this is not effective you may use tweezers grasping the sting close to the skin, not at the end of the venom sack. Then wash the area of the sting with soap and water.

The next steps in Bee Sting first aid are about treating the pain, itch, and swelling. Use ice rapped in a dry towel on the area for up to 20 minutes to reduce swelling. Antihistamines can also be giving to deal with itching and help with swelling. Acetaminophen or Ibuprofen can help with pain. Finally it is important to monitor the person for about 30 minutes to watch for signs of sever allergic reaction. Someone with a documented sever allergy to bee stings may know about their condition and carry an epinephrine pen. Some may not know about their allergy and it can happen as a surprise. Contact 911 and seek emergency care if the situation does not improve, give CPR if needed.

Learn more about Bee Sting First Aid in an American Heart Association (AHA) Heartsaver CPR and First Aid course at Life Saving CPR Training in Sacramento California. Visit the website: https://cprskillssacramento.com/ to find the course schedule and to sign up online or call (916) 672-2008 with questions. First Aid and #CPRSavesLives because #LifeIsWhy!

Cough CPR Hoax?

We all get those “internet wisdom” messages from time to time. Perhaps they started as chain letters, became chain emails, and are now chain messages or posts. They are often filled with amazing or outlandish claims. We rarely check if these claims are true and they usually are not. Today I will discus one such topic that has circulated the internet for 10 years or more. “Do-it-to-yourself CPR” or “Cough CPR“.

The Cough CPR message starts the same way. Some one the poster knows; who is a medical professional of some type, like a nurse or doctor, implores you to listen for a few minutes that could save your life. They then invite you to image a scenario where you home alone, far from help, and suddenly experience severe pain in your chest. They then often conflate a Heart Attack with Cardiac Arrest and lament that although they learned CPR they were never taught self CPR. They then lay out the recipe for Cough CPR. Cough repeatedly, vigorously and breath deeply. Repeat every  2 seconds or so… until help arrives. They claim that the breaths supply oxygen and the coughs squeeze the heart to maintain circulation. And of-course they end the message by telling you to share to at-least 10 people, and that you will save lives by doing so.

First, Heart Attack and Cardiac Arrest are not the same thing and Cough CPR messages often confuse this issue. Cardiac Arrest will require CPR and a Heart Attack may not, learn more about the differences here. Basically Cardiac Arrest is loss of blood flow resulting in loss of consciousness, abnormal or no breathing, and will result in death if not resuscitated. Heart Attack, professionally understood as Myocardial Infarction, is when blood flow to the heart is decreased or stopped, resulting in part of the heart muscle dying. Heart Attack can lead to Cardiac Arrest but it will not necessarily.

What are the facts about this Cough CPR? CPR is required for an unresponsive person who is not breathing. It is not required for someone who is conscious. So this is a immediate red flag. Cough CPR is not helpful for someone who is unconscious, so it it not recommended for someone who does indeed need CPR. “Cough CPR” is a real procedure but it is only effective in very specific controlled situations. The basic steps indicated are the recommended steps when sudden Arrhythmia occurs to remain conscious and responsive for a few seconds until emergency care immediately at hand can treat it. It is most useful and most often employed in laboratory settings. They key part is “a few seconds” that is all this technique will give you; seconds until you will become unresponsive if you were in-fact in pre-cardiac arrest. It is not effectively a form of resuscitation it is a stalling technique. The American Heart Association (AHA) does not recommend teaching this technique to lay rescuers. Read more about Cough CPR from the AHA here.

Learn real American Heart Association (AHA) CPR at Life Saving CPR Training in Sacramento California. I will be happy to discuss the risks and merits of Cough CPR and many other CPR and First Aid techniques in my class if you are interested. Visit my website: https://cprskillssacramento.com/ to find the class schedule and to sign up for a course. Or call (916) 672-2008 with question or to sign up for a course by phone. Real #CPRSavesLives because #LifeIsWhy!

Diabetic Emergencies

Diabetic Emergencies occur when a person with Diabetes has too much or to little glucose, or blood sugar, in their system for their level of activity. Most commonly these emergencies are caused by too much or too little insulin or too much or too little food. Diabetes will increase your risk for other health problems including heart disease and stroke. Work with your doctor to manage diabetes and have your family and yourself take an American Heart Association (AHA) CPR and First Aid course so that you will know how to respond in emergency. Get involved in National Diabetes Awareness Month! Right now and every November! Find out more about American Diabetes Month at the American Diabetes Association.

The first step in treating Diabetic Emergencies is to recognize them. Diabetes is very common in the United States, effective over 30 million people. Having an action plan for children in your care, people you work with, or family members with diabetes will help you be prepared to act. There are many types of diabetes but the two most common varieties are Type 1 and Type 2. Type 1 Diabetics do not produce insulin or do not produce enough. Type 2 Diabetics do not respond to insulin correctly. Insulin is an essential hormone that regulates metabolism and promotes the bodies absorption of glucose. Without adequate insulin the concentration of blood sugar will rise to dangerous levels. Some common signs of high blood sugar in a diabetic are frequent urination, extreme thirst, extreme hunger, blurry vision, and fatigue. The only real action for a high blood sugar emergency is to assist them in the use of their prescribed insulin. Alternatively the diabetic can also have a low blood sugar emergency called Hypoglycemia. If the diabetic has not eaten enough for their insulin level or taken too much insulin they can have this low blood sugar emergency. Common signs of low blood sugar in a diabetic are rapid heartbeat, mood changes, nervousness, fatigue, confusion, dizziness, sweating, seizure, or coma. We can give more assistance in this emergency, if they are conscious and can eat or swallow we should give them something with sugar to eat or drink. This topic is covered in AHA First Aid.

Learn more about Diabetic Emergencies and how to treat Low Blood Sugar in an American Heart Association (AHA) CPR and First Aid course at Life Saving CPR Training in Sacramento California. Visit our website: https://cprskillssacramento.com/ to find the class schedule and to sign up for a course online. Or call at (916) 672-2008 with your questions or to sign up for a course by phone. #LifeIsWhy we learn CPR, because #CPRSavesLives!

Earthquake Safety

The majority of Earthquake Safety is about preparation. You need to make an action plan, practice it, gather emergency supplies and reduce possible hazards. Be ready to act safely if you are outdoors or indoors. Earthquakes are an eventuality in California. They are not as common as some other disasters like fires or floods but they do happen and you should be ready.

Earthquake Safety is certainly important in California but there are many other fault lines all over the world. An earthquake is a sudden violent shaking of the earths surface. They generally result when pressure is released from the earth’s crust plates breaking or moving and jostling one-another. They can also result of landslides and volcanic activity. The Fault lines are areas where the different crust plates meet, resulting in common earthquakes in these areas. California is right on the San Andreas Fault, this is why Earthquake Safety is so important in California.

The first step in Earthquake Safety preparedness is having an action plan. During an earthquake most deaths come from collapsing buildings or falling heavy objects. Find the safe places in your home or workplace, and the safest most direct evacuation route. Drop to your hands and knees before the earthquake knocks you to the ground. Cover your head and neck, and your whole body if possible, under a sturdy object like a table. Hold on to your shelter and move with it if the shaking causes it to move. The Drop, Cover, and Hold On method can save your life. Practice these actions and evacuation plans with your family so you are ready to use them in an emergency.

As with any emergency you should have and emergency kit ready for Earthquake Safety. You would include much of the same things in an Earthquake kit as your regular emergency kit, so make sure it is stocked and accessible to the whole family. Make sure your kit includes first aid materials like bandages, medications, a tourniquet, and other first aid tools. General survival tools like a tent, candles, blankets. Include emergency food and water. For a more exhaustive list of what to including in an emergency kit please see the CDC Emergency Supplies for Earthquake page.

Earthquake Safety actions are different if you are inside or outside. If you are inside, it is not recommended that you run outside or to another room while the shaking persists. You are best advised to Drop, Cover, and Hold On as discussed previously. We do NOT recommend standing in a doorway. This is old knowledge. Modern doorways are no stronger than any other part of a structure and is not likely to protect you from falling objects or being knocked to the ground. Otherwise try to move away from windows or other sources of glass. If you are outside, stay outside. Stay away from buildings and utility lines. The most dangerous place is near exterior walls of buildings. If you are in a car, safely stop and pull over. Try to keep your car away from utility polls, buildings, and stay out from under overpasses. For more information about Earthquake Preparedness check out the CDC Earthquake Page. Check out this CDC Earthquake Ready info-graphic:

Another important step in Earthquake Safety is learning First Aid and CPR at Life Saving CPR Training in Sacramento California. You will learn American Heart Association (AHA) First Aid and CPR so that you have the skills to act in any emergency. Visit our website: https://cprskillssacramento.com/ to find the schedule and to sign up for a course online. Or call at (916) 672-2008. #LifeIsWhy we learn CPR, because #CPRSavesLives!