In 1891, Dr. Friedrich Maass executed the first recorded case of chest compressions on an individual with cardiac arrest. Since then, CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) procedures have varied slightly and guidelines are constantly being updated. After years of perfecting the technique to save as many lives as possible, technology to perform CPR hands-free emerged. The mechanical CPR machine is designed to perform just as well, if not better, as a human during CPR. Studies suggest however that this may not be the case. 
         The idea behind a mechanical CPR machine actually makes a lot of sense. If a mechanism were to be perfected that could replace human error when performing CPR, more people would survive. While people can become fatigued after performing CPR for an extended period of time, the machine can last for hours at a consistent rhythm. With the machine, one can control compression depth and it can be paused at any time. Once turned on, the mechanism will begin to thrust its massager pad into the patient’s sternum and CPR will have begun. While this sounds remarkable, and the machine has been able to save multiple lives, research shows that a hands-free CPR machine cannot yet replace manual resuscitation.
         In a study published by Elsevier Journal on CPR, researchers analyzed case studies of over 12,000 patients with cardiac arrest. About half were resuscitated with mechanical CPR machines while the other half were manually resuscitated. It was concluded that manual compression was more effective for survival of over 30 days after the incident, as well as neurological recovery rates. Additionally, manual compression showed less risk of serious complications as opposed to the CPR machines.
         More research published in the Scandinavian Journal of Trauma, Resuscitation and Emergency Medicine concluded with similar findings. Analyzing cases of over 11,000 participants with cardiac arrest, it was shown that the mechanical CPR machines caused increased harm to the patients. It was suggested that mechanical CPR cannot yet replace manual resuscitation but can be used as a supplement in certain instances. 
         A hands-free CPR machine is a remarkable technological advancement. Unfortunately, the technology still requires improvement. This is why every individual who is able to should learn how to perform CPR. 
 

When a cardiac arrest occurs, any slight delay can prove to be deadly. In many cases, you may be exposed to situations that can only be remedied by prompt cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). Having the right knowledge about how to save the day can make a lot of difference. 
Besides working in the health care sector, most jobs require a CPR certificate for many right reasons. How can you cope if you are faced with a scenario requiring immediate cardiopulmonary resuscitation? What are the American Heart Association (AHA) CPR guidelines you should adopt? 

What Is CPR?

CPR or Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation is an emergency procedure that involves chest compressions, and rescue breathing applied immediately when a person’s heart stops beating. It combines pressing on the chest over the heart and mouth-to-mouth resuscitation to encourage blood circulation by getting oxygen-rich blood to the brain.

Types Of CPR 
Hands-Only 
Hands-Only CPR is the basic type of CPR that everyone should know. It involves chest compression—pushing the chest in rapid motion. Hands-only CPR should be administered while you wait for a physician. 

While waiting for the physician to arrive, push the chest rapidly for up to 100 to 120 minutes in quick succession. The hands-only technique helps get the blood moving through the body.
If you’re yet to get the full training to give a CPR, hands-only CPR is your best shot should you face a situation requiring CPR. 
CPR With Breaths 
CPR with breaths combines chest compression with mouth-to-mouth breaths. It is mainly left for professionals or those with some level of CPR training. 
This technique involves, first, checking for a sign of pulse and breathing. If there’s none, you perform a brief chest compression before giving the mouth-to-mouth resuscitation. 
The ABC Process 
According to the American Heart Association, CPR begins with;
Chest Compression 
After making sure that the setting is safe and that the person is placed on a flat surface, begin with 30 chest compressions. 
Airway
After chest compression is to run a check to determine if the person’s airway is open for mouth-to-mouth rescue. 
Breathe 
If the airway is open, pinch the person’s nostrils close and cover the mouth with a CPR face mask before giving two rescue breathes at a one-second interval. 
CPR Training Near Me 
Different scenarios that may require prompt and effective administration of the CPR can happen anytime and anywhere. Beyond your job description pushing you to get a CPR certificate, knowing what to do when you’re exposed to cardiac arrest situations, and respiratory failure is what we owe ourselves—to humanity. 
Cardiopulmonary resuscitation is a lifesaving skill that may come up in many emergencies, including heart attack, failed breathing, or near-drowning. 
Getting CPR training is not as challenging or time-consuming as some people make it out to be. Get affordable and professional training that promises the best value either online or in-person. There’s always a CPR Training center near you. Reach out to them and learn.

Importance Of CPR Training
Improving CPR training could save more lives than any potential breakthrough in science, according to a recent statement from the American Heart Association. The statement was published in Circulation and highlights the importance of CPR to treat sudden cardiac arrest.
CPR, which stands for cardiopulmonary resuscitation, is an emergency technique that saves lives when the heart suddenly stops beating. It includes a combination of chest compressions and mouth-to-mouth breaths, or chest compressions only for hands-free CPR. Studies show that CPR can double or even triple the chances of survival after sudden cardiac arrest.
The challenge, however, is to ensure that as many people as possible are properly trained in CPR.

Each year, more than 500,000 cardiac arrests occur in the United States. These events can happen anywhere - at home, at work or in public places. In such a situation, having someone nearby who is groomed in CPR could mean the difference between life and death.
However, authors state that online and face-to-face CPR training sessions are not standardized. In other words, not everyone who studies CPR obtains the same quality of training.

For example, some courses may involve more practice than others, which increases the likelihood that participants will understand and feel confident in CPR techniques. Lessons can also vary depending on the number of times participants repeat key lessons, which helps ensure that they keep the information after the training. According to the authors, repeated lessons are important because many people may forget their training a few weeks or months after their CPR class.
In good turn of events, local CPR trainers provide a plethora of recommendations for improving CPR courses, such as spacing training, providing feedback to participants, and putting the importance of CPR and how it works in context. Together, they believe these strategies can help improve survival after sudden cardiac arrest inside and outside the hospital.

Ultimately, the authors note that all CPR courses have the same goal, which is "to increase the probability that the learner will be able to save a life in cardiac arrest when every moment matters." Methodologies such as feedback and spaced learning could aid trainees in memorizing data during CPR training, which experts say will, in turn, increase survival rates after sudden cardiac arrest.

Importance Of BLS Training
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), approximately 17.7 million people died from cardiovascular disease in 2015, accounting for 31% of all deaths worldwide. Of these deaths, approximately 7.4 million were due to coronary artery disease and 6.7 million to a stroke.
The numbers don't lie, and with so many people around the world suffering from heart disease, it's important to know what to do in the event of a cardiac or fatal medical emergency.
Basic Life Support (BLS) training is the bedrock for rescuing lives after cardiac arrest and various other life-threatening situations.
BLS techniques are administered when a victim appears unconscious, suffocated or suffers from cardiac arrest. BLS techniques operate in a way to circulate a little ounce of oxygenated blood round the individual's body to reduce damage to organs and the brain in the case of cardiac arrest. BLS techniques are administered pending the arrival of paramedics or first responders.
A basic BLS training course focuses on what rescuers need to know to perform high-quality CPR in a wide variety of settings. You will also learn how to respond to sweltering emergencies. The course content and results include:

• Benefits of quality CPR and its effects on life
• Steps in the chain of survival and application of BLS concepts in the chain of survival
• Recognizing the signs of a person needing CPR
• Conducting quality CPR for adults, toddlers and infants
• Necessities of defibrillation and proper utilization of an AED
• Use of a barrier device to provide effective ventilation
• Importance of Teams in Multi-Lifeguard Resuscitation and Performance as an Effective Team Member during Multi-Lifeguard CPR
• The technique for relieving obstruction of the respiratory tract by a foreign body (suffocation) in adults, children and infants

BLS training is beneficial for everyone. As regards to where you live and your local rules and regulations, medical officers, doctors and nurses included, and first responders, such as firefighters and police, are generally persuaded to undergo BLS training. Other professionals such as child care providers, nannies, school bus drivers and those working with the elderly would also benefit from BLS training.
Importance Of ACLS Training
The Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) training builds on basic life-saving skills (BLS), emphasizing the importance of continuous, high-quality CPR. This advanced training exposes the usefulness of efficient team dynamics, chemistry and communication, care patterns, and identification and rescue methods for cardiopulmonary attacks, sudden post-cardiac arrest, acute dysrhythmia, stroke and acute coronary syndromes (ACS). The ACLS training session is programmed for healthcare experts who contribute to the management of cardiopulmonary attacks or other related cardiovascular impromptu situations. The course adheres to guidelines promoted by the American Heart Association (AHA) for the clinical management of basic and advanced cardiac resuscitation.
After completing the ACLS training, you should be able to:

• apply the sequence of BLS assessments, primary and secondary for a systematic assessment of adult patients
• perform rapid, high-quality BLS, including prioritizing early chest compressions and integrating early automated use of external defibrillators (AEDs)
• identify and conduct the management of respiratory arrest before time
• discuss early recognition and management of ACS and stroke, including appropriate provision
• recognize and perform early management of bradyarrhythmias and tachyarrhythmias that can lead to cardiac arrest or complicate the results of resuscitation
• recognize and perform early management of cardiac arrest until the end of resuscitation or transfer of care, including immediate care after cardiac arrest
• demonstrate effective communication as a member or leader of a successful team
• Evaluate resuscitation efforts during the cardiac arrest by continuously assessing the quality of CPR, monitoring the patient's physiological response and providing real-time feedback to the team
• notice the influence of team dynamics as regards to general team productivity
• discuss how using a rapid response team or a medical emergency team can improve patient outcomes
• Define systems of care.

ACLS training re-iterates the benefits of basic CPR for the survival of the afflicted, the combination of efficient support into advanced cardiovascular support interventions and the benefits of socialization and effective team coordination in the process of resuscitation. ACLS differs from Basic Life Support (BLS) in that it covers a much wider range of possible problems. It focuses on stabilizing a patient before and after an emergency. Due to the highly advanced nature of several treatment techniques as well as the controlled availability of many emergency devices and drugs, ACLS training is limited to medical personnel who have demonstrated their BLS skills before the training begins.

ACLS stands for Advanced Cardiac Life Support. Certification in ACLS means you know how to handle patients in a cardiac crisis, ranging from heart attacks to strokes, and everything in between. When a person comes into the emergency room, its people like you who are ACLS certified who will ultimately decide whether they live or die.

ACLS is different from BLS training in that you are able to do more with those certifications. Here's how it looks in a nutshell:

• Basic Life Support
  Basic life support is just the way it sounds. People with this certification know the basics of life support during a cardiac emergency. This certification covers basic life saving techniques, and allows the provider to use non-invasive life saving techniques only. This means they can't give any injections, incubate a patient, or cut the skin in any way.
• Advanced Life Cardiac Support (ACLS)
  ACLS providers have more training courses than BLS providers, and can do a lot more to help the patient. Most doctors and nurses interested in taking the course have already taken BLS training, and are familiar with cardiac support in general.
  
  ACLS takes it a step farther, and teaches airway management skills, how to lead a team in the emergency setting, and other essential life saving skills. ACLS providers may give injections, and use other invasive techniques.

 
Why certify in ACLS :
If you want to work in the emergency department, ACLS may be a prerequisite. Even if you have no plans to use it however, learning advanced life saving skills could come in handy no matter where you are at. Advanced life saving skills increase the chances of your patient's survival, whether it is an elderly client having a heart attack in your waiting room, or even a random stranger off the street.
 
Aside from the obvious reasons of saving lives, getting advanced certification also makes you more employable. In today's tough job economy, it's not always easy to find a great job, and there's a lot of competition. ACLS may make the difference between getting a good job, or having to wait months before you find something.
 
Certification Tips:
ACLS training is in depth and will give you a better understanding of how to save lives during a cardiac emergency. In order to get this life saving information however, you need to apply yourself to your studies.
 
You can get the most out of your studies in the following ways:

• Know yourself
  Do you do better when you have a teacher to ask questions to? Or do you work best in the quiet of your own home, where you can study? ACLS certification is available both in class room and online, so if you know how you work, you can choose where to certify that best suits your personality. Many online classrooms also allow flexible scheduling, so if you're already working long hours and are just trying to improve yourself, you can do so.
• Know how you retain things
  Do you remember orally? A tape recorder can help you remember what the teacher said. Do you remember visually? Try writing things down. Do you remember by reading? A text book on the subject may help you.

Go CPR NY 6400 Saunders Street Rego Park, NY 11374 (718) 785-5559 http://www.gocprny.com

The episode, entitled “Stress Relief” goes a little something like this; Dwight, tries to teach a lesson to his fellow staff members.  It inevitably backfires. Something crazy happens, in this case, beloved coworker, Stanley, suffers a heart attack. Dwight's safety officer position is stripped.  What happens next? Michael Scott arranges a cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) training session for employees. The result? Almost exactly ten years after airing the episode, Cross Scott uses what he observed, to save a woman - in real life.

Now, while there is the lovely coincidence of these two characters sharing the same last name - Michael Scott, played by Steve Carell, is fictional; while 21-year old Cross Scott of Tucson Arizona is real.

Cross Scott happened to watch the episode  “Stress Relief” of The Office. Obviously, this episode did not provide real CPR training - but that did not stop Cross from applying what he had learned.  Beginning with seeing a woman in her car slumped over the steering wheel, Cross decided he had to do something. He broke into the car and began to conduct CPR - the way he had seen it done on The Office.  Including the charming detail of singing the song “Stayin’ Alive” by the Bee Gees in order to maintain the appropriate rhythm while administering chest compressions.

After about a minute of administering chest compressions, the woman began to breathe again. Paramedics arrived and took over from there. 

A few points to take note of from this story:

1. The characters from The Office - Michael Scott, Dwight, Stanley - they aren’t real.  
2. It’s hard to separate reality from the fiction presented on television and consequently just how important it is for the entertainment industry to represent accurate health information. Particularly because people may not have been otherwise exposed to actual information.
3. There are a lot of people out there, like Cross Scott, that have not sought out traditional life-saving skills and training like CPR.

We don’t get to choose if and when we have an emergency that requires skills and training like CPR.  We rarely have the convenience of being close to emergency services, hospitals or the like. It’s scary knowing that the chances of your survival during a potential emergency are completely dependent on the skills and training of the (likely) strangers present.

This begs the question, why isn’t CPR training more available at the most basic levels for the sake of public safety?  Why isn’t it taught in public school? Why isn’t it offered at work? Sure, it costs a little to invest in the safety and well-being of children, loved ones and even the perfect stranger.  Isn’t it worth it, though? If all it takes is simply registering for a CPR course to potentially save someone's life…

The fact that the writers of The Office had the good sense to provide sufficient real guidance as to what to do in an emergency situation, well it’s a true blessing.  The result is that a woman's life was saved. The world of TV actually helped, this time. Let’s not go crazy though, not all skills and training can be provided by Dunder Mifflin. 

What would you do if someone you know suddenly has a heart attack in front of you? Ideally, you’re able to perform basic CPR and other life-resuscitation methods until medical support arrives. But sometimes it takes a lot more than that to save someone’s life. Once that patient arrives at a hospital or any emergency care facility, medical professionals have tools and training to give advanced intervention. One of those is ACLS.

ACLS means Advanced Cardiac Life Support. Also known in the medical world as "Code Blue Management", the art of dealing with cardiac arrest. It is very special training that is provided to medical professionals who respond to emergency situations – from the team who arrives in the ambulance, to the nurses and doctors who meet you in the emergency room, or even to caregivers or nursing home staff.

WHO NEEDS TO KNOW ACLS?

ACLS classes and certifications are only available for people who have prior medical background. While anyone can take it, there are some people who are more likely to need this kind of special emergency care training. These include:

• Nurses and nurse’s aides. When there’s a life threatening situation, both doctors and nurses need to be able to act quickly. ACLS training can provide nurses with the confidence and experience to handle these emergency situations. A nurse with ACLS training can give the best support to the doctor in charge, either by recording or helping with the preparation of medication. They are also trained in reading algorithms to determine which steps should be taken given a patient’s particular case.
• Paramedics. They are the first to arrive at any 911 call. Their ACLS training will allow them to save or stabilize a patient until they arrive at a hospital. IN many cases, their interventions will make the difference between a patient getting a chance at survival or being declared dead on arrival.
• Caregivers seeking better competitive career opportunities. By the very nature of their profession, caregivers with nursing degrees take care of patients who are at very high risk. However, the medical industry is very competitive. An ACLS certification is also a competitive advantage for independent caregivers who are seeking employment, or allow them to expand employment opportunities with hospitals and emergency care facilities.

Not all nurses in hospitals may need ACLS training; it depends on where you are assigned. For example, those who work in intensive care, same day surgery or cancer may need to know ACLS more than someone who works in the orthopedics or dermatology department. Nevertheless, cardiac arrest can happen anytime and anywhere, and an ACLS certification can help you be prepared for any situation or career advancement.

HOW TO GET ACLS TRAINING

ACLS training is offered both in medical facilities and through online programs. It is challenging for many medical professionals to make the time for any kind of study – with all those long shifts, it may even be challenging for them to get 3 square meals a day. Nevertheless, an ACLS certification can make a difference not only in your career but in somebody’s life. Prioritize your ACLS training and have the knowledge and skill for emergency situations.

Go CPR NY 6400 Saunders Street Rego Park, NY 11374 (718) 785-5559 http://www.gocprny.com

No Debating Anymore; Seems Longer CPR is Better CPR
It has always been a subject of endless debates, yet not even the physicians could help bring it to an end. But while it’s understandably hard for a doctor to tell whether longer is better when resuscitating a patient, it seems there’s consensus, finally. Several research attempts seem to have pointed to the same result; longer CPR is better CPR!
According to researchers from the University of Michigan Health System, longer CPR attempts on a patient battling cardiac arrest, seems useful in some instances. The research alludes that extending the period of resuscitation attempts to 15 minutes makes the outcome a bit favorable and still doesn’t require too much time and resources.
About 200,000 cardiac arrest patients are hospitalized annually and out of the 50% that survive in the first episode, just about 20% recover enough to be discharged. Still, the 20% constitute those who resuscitate in about 12 minutes.
However, there’s more to this!
Yet another study presented to the American Heart Association’s Scientific Sessions in 2013 seemingly supports that of the University of Michigan Health System. From the new study, keeping resuscitation efforts going for a bit longer may boost the survivor’s brain functioning. The Japanese researchers revealed that by keeping CPR going for at least 30 minutes, the brain would have a better chance of working again.
However, a fascinating study, done by Zachary Goldberger and colleagues and published in the Lancet gave a damning revelation. The study outlines some insightful data on unpleasant outcomes of CPR patients who are already hospitalized. Further, the report underlines some thought-provoking findings on if efforts to elongate resuscitation could save patients and ensure they get discharged.
After researching 93,535 patients, all being 18 years and above, 64,339 patients were found to have suffered a cardiac arrest that lasted a minimum of 2 minutes. But out of these 64,339 patients, a majority (80%) had either asystole or pulse-less electrical activity, while 49% had experienced a return of spontaneous circulation. The other 15% only survived enough to get discharged after undergoing spontaneous circulation for 16.6 days.
But the primary goal of this research featured on Lancet was to assess if a more extended CPR done in a hospital had a direct impact on the fate of the eventual survivor. This justified the reason why it had to be non-survivors who had been used instead of everyone.
In the long run, patients who spent more periods under median resuscitation were:

1. More predisposed to getting a return to spontaneous circulation.
2. Better suited to surviving until they get discharged.
3. If indeed they get discharged, they were to have more encouraging neurological status than those hospitals that had shorter resuscitation durations.

 
The long and short of it is that ‘longer seems better’ when it comes to CPR durations, although 12% of all cardiac arrest patients hospitalized spent two minutes (at least) and were eventually discharged with encouraging “neurological outcome.”  However, it seems a systematic increase in the total period resuscitation takes may improve chances of survival of a high-risk population.
By: Go CPR NY, the leading and most trusted CPR training center. Inquire about our individual training at our Queens Office as well as on-site training at your place- anywhere in NYC.
Go CPR NY 6400 Saunders Street Rego Park, NY 11374 (718) 785-5559 http://www.gocprny.com