Code Blue CPR

What is CPR?

CPR, or cardiopulmonary resuscitation, is a lifesaving technique that can be used on an individual whose breathing or heartbeat has stopped. This includes situations like drowning or heart attacks. However, performing CPR properly requires a certain degree of training and knowledge of the steps one should take.

What is the Purpose of CPR?
For your body to operate normally, your muscles and tissues need to receive a constant supply of oxygen and nutrients, both of which are carried through your blood. When someone suffers cardiac arrest and their circulation stops, the vital organs begin to die. The role of cardiopulmonary resuscitation is to try and maintain blood flow after the patient’s heart has stopped. Maintaining some semblance of blood flow can help maintain the oxygen supply to the brain and other vital organs until medical professionals arrive and begin more sophisticated emergency procedures.

How Do You Perform CPR?
CPR consists of two components. The first is chest compression. The purpose of chest compression is to restore blood circulation. Chest compressions are performed with both hands placed on the center of the patient’s chest, one hand over another. The individual performing CPR then uses his or her upper body weight in order to push down on the patient’s chest at a rate of 100 compressions per minute. Chest compressions can be performed by anyone, regardless of their level of training. The other component of CPR—mouth-to-mouth resuscitation—should only be performed by individuals trained in CPR. When performing mouth-to-mouth resuscitation, you should open the patient’s airway, pinch the nostrils shut, and administer two rescue breaths. After the rescue breaths, return to chest compressions. Repeat the cycle until help arrives.

Performing CPR can make the difference between life and death. To learn more about what CPR is and how it should be administered, call Code Blue CPR at (720) 279-7767 to learn about our CPR certification classes.

If you've enjoyed our recent blog topics from Code Blue CPR then check out these other great resources below:

Did you enjoy our recent blog topics about cardiovascular risk factors and PALS certification?  If so, take a look at these links.  Save a life with emergency resuscitation certification with Code Blue CPR.  Call (720) 279-7767 for information about our certification classes.

• Heart attacks can strike unexpectedly, but they are usually caused by poor heart health.  Read about heart disease to learn the risk factors and symptoms here.

• For further information on the risk factors for heart disease, especially on factors that you can control for the better, visit this website.

• Health professionals should review this flow chart for pediatric cardiac arrest produced by the American Heart Association.

• You can find recent changes to the PALS guidelines from the AHA discussed point by point on this web page.

• Take a look at this page from FamilyDoctor.org to learn the importance of CPR as a life-saving technique in the health care field.

Why a PALS Certification is Important

PALS, or pediatric advanced life support, are a series of guidelines for handling pediatric emergency situations.  It is a vital tool for people who care for infants and children in many environments from the home, health care centers and day care facilities.  Code Blue CPR offers PALS training courses for caregivers to protect the lives of children when the unexpected emergency situation arises.

Family
It is usually recommended that parents and family members dealing with young children in the home be trained and familiar with PALS guidelines.  If a child has a sudden life-threatening emergency situation where they stop breathing for any reason there is a narrow time frame during which help can be delivered to successfully avoid brain damage or death.  Parents and caregivers are the first line of defense for infants and children in the home.

Health Care
Health care professionals in many areas of the medical field have to be responsible for children.  Every person working in health care who has the chance of dealing with children should be trained in PALS guidelines as a part of their general skill set.  Those who make their living by protecting the lives of patients know that they will eventually be the safeguard in a child’s life.

Child Care
Day care and child care workers should be well-versed in PALS guidelines for number of reasons.  Even the most well-kept danger-proof environment where multiple children play and interact is bound to have unanticipated hazards.  Those charged with keeping children safe and healthy need to be prepared for the worst in order to fulfill their responsibility to children and parents.  PALS training will ensure that you will be able to do the most when emergencies happen.

Are you interested in CPR training classes such as the PALS guidelines? Code Blue CPR in Denver, CO offers classes in not only CPR, but also PALS. For information on classes and courses, call (720) 279-7767 today.

U.S. Pediatricians Call for Action to Prevent Choking Deaths

The world can be a nightmare of choking hazards for young children.  Because of this, choking is a worry for every parent. Watch this video to see a news story discussing the call from pediatricians for more awareness about choking hazards.  Parents should watch this video for tips on how to serve food portions to younger children. With simple preventative steps, you can reduce the risk of choking for your child.

Having the appropriate CPR or PALS training is the best way to save lives in the event of an emergency.  Contact Code Blue CPR for training by calling (720) 279-7767.

Common Factors that Put Your Heart at Risk for Failure

Since CPR is designed to save people whose heart has ceased to beat from trauma or lack of oxygen, most people associate CPR with cardiac arrest situations.  A heart attack can strike anyone for a variety of reasons, but there are many risk factors that indicate a person’s chances of sudden heart failure.  You can be prepared for emergency situations with proper CPR training from Code Blue CPR, and gain patient education that can help you avoid situations that put you at risk. Here are a few of the common heart disease risk factors that you have the ability to control:

Cholesterol
A high level of bad cholesterol in your bloodstream puts you at a greater risk of having a heart attack.  Low-density lipoprotein, or LDL, is what is known as bad cholesterol.  LDL tends to gather in your arteries along the artery walls forming plaque that constrict the flow of blood.  Too much plaque in your arteries is associated with a number of health risks and raises your chances of having a heart attack.

Smoking
It is not a secret that smoking is associated with a wide range of dangerous health risks.  Not only is smoking a dangerous health habit, but also can increase the chances of heart related problems. Consequently, smokers have a much higher risk of heart failure than non-smokers.

Inactivity
Exercise is good for all of your body’s systems, including your heart health.  People who are active and exercise regularly often have other healthy habits like good diets. However, people who are generally inactive are seen having trouble with obesity and poor diet. By incorporating an exercise regimen into your daily routine can help you not only remain healthy, but also lower your risk of heart complications in the future.

When emergencies strike, it pays to be prepared with CPR certification.  Reach out to  Code Blue CPR for CPR training classes, so you can be ready in the event of an emergency.  For more information, call (720) 279-7767 today.