CPR and AED training are two different steps in the process of saving the life of someone suffering from cardiac arrest. The acronym “CPR” stands for cardiopulmonary resuscitation, which is the act of repeatedly compressing a person’s chest in order to keep their blood pumping throughout their body. CPR acts like a manual heartbeat, keeping vital organs alive even after the heart has stopped beating. While many people are already familiar with CPR, its counterpart often goes unnoticed. Most classes are actually offered as CPR AED training, or at least explain the use of the AED in the course of their instruction. “AED” stands for automated external defibrillator and there is a big difference between CPR and AED training even though both are usually covered in the same class.

Unlike CPR which only pumps blood to vital organs, the AED is the machine that can restart the heart. In this respect, you could say that these classes should be termed “AED CPR training” since the AED is a much more important factor to a cardiac arrest victim’s survival. When a person goes into cardiac arrest, their heart has stopped beating. This means that vital organs, such as the brain, will begin to die within minutes if they do not continue to receive blood and oxygen. This is why anyone who is able to provide assistance should step in quickly to administer CPR.

The process for helping a victim of cardiac arrest using CPR and AED is explained below. These steps are always covered in detail no matter what CPR AED training you attend.

First call 9-1-1 to alert medical responders that there is an emergency. As soon as the 9-1-1 call has been placed, CPR compressions should begin immediately. If you are the only one available to assist the victim, do not stop compressions until emergency medical personnel arrive. In the best scenario, there will be several people nearby who can assist you in helping the victim. If this is the case be sure to enlist a few others to help with some tasks such as staying on the phone with the emergency operator, taking turns administering CPR compressions, and finding out if there is an AED nearby.

Most public places will have an available AED, which should then be immediately used on the victim. The AED is entirely automated; it will verbally walk you through preparing the victim and the pad placement, it will assess the victim’s heart rate, and it will determine if the victim requires a shock to reestablish a heartbeat. However if there is no available AED close by, continue administering CPR until medical professionals arrive with one.

If you would like to learn more about CPR and AED training, visit SimpleCPR to view a list of available classes. You can learn how to save a life by taking an online CPR AED training class today!

With the rising popularity of first aid training online, you have many opportunities to learn new skills from the comfort of home. But while this seems like an obvious advantage, taking first aid classes online may prove more distracting than helpful.

Whether you want to fulfill a job requirement or learn potentially lifesaving skills, first aid classes online may be right for you. But first, it’s worth taking a look at what advantages and disadvantages they offer.

Who Needs Online First Aid Classes?

Maybe you need first aid certification but can’t find the time to get it. Or perhaps you don’t have transportation to get you to and from the onsite classroom. If you find either of these to be true, you might benefit from taking a first aid class online.

As an example, SimpleCPR’s own first aid classes online offer you to:

• Set your own pace and schedule
• Customize interactive lessons
• Repeat failed exams as many times as needed
• Print your certification card immediately

A first aid class online provides you with complete convenience to get the skills you need at a speed which works for you. If you want or need to obtain CPR and first aid certification quickly, at your own pace, or in the comfort of your home, a first aid class online can help you accomplish your goals.

When Online Classes are Not for You

We all have different learning habits. Therefore, a first aid class online may not work for you as well as it would for someone else.

Many people take online first aid classes because they don’t want or don’t have transportation to drive to another location. After all, isn’t it easier to stay home after you’ve been working all day? However, your home also holds many interests to you which may distract you from taking your classes effectively. You may also have certain demands at home which make your life even busier than they do at work.

Whether you have to see to the needs of your family or keep up your home’s tidy appearance, taking online classes may not be right for you.

Choosing an Online First Aid Class

Many jobs in the medical field require CPR certification for you to work. First aid classes online can be a great way to fulfill this requirement, but how can you make sure you’ll finish them?

You don’t necessarily have to take online classes from home. You could easily go to a public library or a friend’s house, or even take them on your lunch break at work.

You’ll also want to make sure you’re taking an accredited first aid class online. An accredited class ensures your employer or organization will accept your certification. For example, SimpleCPR’s classes are accredited through the American Health Association, with over 99% of those receiving training being accepted through their organizations.

Do you think an online first aid class will work for you? Why not find out! Visit SimpleCPR and try a risk free online safety class. Who knows—it might be right for you!

If you have CPR and first aid training, you know the importance of not only quick thinking but correct thinking. No more is this more essential than with providing first aid for burns.

Burns can range from the benign to the extremely serious. Not only is the burn itself a factor in treating the injured person, but you may have to consider your surroundings as well. For steps in knowing how to deal with them and deliver the right first aid for burns of any kind, read on.

How to Identify the Three Burn Classifications

Singing a finger on the oven door is one thing; suffering from a debilitating chemical spill is quite another. When providing the right kind of first aid for burns, it helps to know what procedures can help which burn types. There are currently three classifications of burns, each with their own characteristics and burns first aid.

First-degree burns occur when only the outer layer of skin has burned. Redness, swelling, and some pain may afflict the patient, but simple burns first aid can help relieve this.

Second-degree burns are when the first and second layers of skin have been burned. In addition to more severe redness, swelling, and pain, the skin can take on a splotchy appearance.

Third-degree burns are major burns which require immediate medical attention. These can affect all layers of skin and can even affect fat, muscle, and bone. Skin can become black or charred.

How to Distribute Burns First Aid Safely and Effectively

If you know the three burn classifications, you already have much of the information you need to properly provide burns first aid. Identifying which they have will make first aid much easier.

Use your CPR training if the patient isn’t breathing. Soak the burn in cool water if the patient has suffered a minor burn. Then treat it with a skin care product and cover it with gauze or a sterile bandage. Do not use cotton, as lint may enter the wound.

For serious burns, do not remove burned clothing and do not immerse burns in water. Elevating the burned body parts above the heart level is the best form of first aid. Burns treated in this way may be caught before they seriously develop into bad symptoms.

When Burns First Aid isn’t Enough

Thankfully, you won’t need first aid certification for minor burn treatment. But the more serious the burn, the more training comes in handy. If you want to make sure you’re prepared, you need to make sure to have the required training.

While you should always contact emergency assistance in the case of serious injuries, your knowledge of first aid treatment for burns could be a matter of life and death. Make a difference—learn CPR and first aid now.