Becoming a trained rescuer involves enrolling in CPR and first aid training courses. There are numerous providers all over the country but none offer better training than we do. You can find us in six cities spread out over five states (two providers in California), offering cheap courses with high quality. We have different programs available, categorized into basic CPR, advanced CPR, and re-certification.
Signing up: Signing up for training is hassle-free. There is an form on our webpage that can be completed at any time of day. All requests sent through that medium will be processed during our regular bussiness hours. Expect a confirmation of your enrollment during that time as well. Likewise, we also highly encourage our trainees to sign up in person, over the telephone, or through e-mail. Whatever is most convenient for you.
Choking Emergencies
Choking emergencies are actually part of the 2010 Basic Life Support guidelines. Anything that affects respiration can contribute to cardiac failure and has to be managed accordingly. The medical term for choking is FBAO – Foreign-Body Airway Obstruction. FBAO is uncommon (compared to other causes of mortality) but if not managed timely can cause death. The most report causes in adults actually occur during eating. FBAO in children most common occur during playtime. It can cause sudden respiratory distress, cyanosis, and loss of consciousness if left unmanaged.
Recognizing FBAO
A choking incident is easy to identify in adults. There is an international sign of choking wherein a person who is motioning towards his or her neck, making squeezing motions. If a person is making this sign, especially in the middle of eating something, the Heimlich maneuver has to performed immediately. If you are unsure, quickly ask if he or she is choking and when the person nods yes, start the maneuver.
However, if the obstruction is mild, wait if the victim can dislodge the obstruction by coughing forcefully. If not, stand behind the victim, make a fist and place it just underneath the victim’s sternum. Give quick upward and inwards thrusts until the foreign object is dislodged. Hitting the center of the victim’s back can also help deal with the FBAO.
CPR and First Aid Classes
Dealing with FBAO cases is part of the first aid component of our training programs. A training course with us can last as short as 4 hours (over a single session) to 16 hours (two-day courses). See what we have to offer through the list below.
- Heartsaver CPR – A basic training course (4 hrs) for the general public
- Heartsaver CPR – A basic training course (4.5 hrs) for health care providers
- Basic Life Support for HCPs – A basic training course (4.5 hrs) inclusive of one and two-person rescuer CPR (the first two basic programs only teach one-rescuer CPR)
- Pediatric Advanced Life Support – An advanced training course (14 hrs/ 2 days) for health professionals
- Advanced Cardiac Life Support – An advanced training course (16 hrs/ 2 days) for health professionals
*Certification is only valid for two years. It has to be renewed through a re-certification class before the expiration.