All those who have been to CPR classes will know the basics to mouth-to-mouth resuscitation. You start by checking if the patients airway is clear, then you check the patients breathing, then you check for heartbeat and if, during this process, the patient suddenly awakens, ensure that you are not bitten.

For quite a while now the American Red Cross and other organizations have been training people in performing CPR for pets through classes which include all the nuances of first aid for pets inclusive of mouth-to-snout resuscitation. That’s correct, mouth-to-snout.

This technique is very similar to the conventional mouth-to-mouth resuscitation for humans. The main difference is that the person while performing this will close the mouth of the dog and provide breaths into the nose of the dog. Though this sounds humorous and to some even unpleasant, knowing the mouth-to-snout resuscitation technique can even save your pets life if it ever came to that.

The Scoop is a popular website that reports news on dogs (you know what the theory is -’dog bites man’ is no news but ‘man bites dog’ definitely is). In March 2002, they came out with a story about a man in Walla Walla who saved a dog from death by performing the mouth-to-snout resuscitation. The dog had accidentally choked and had it not been for the Good Samaritan, who had received training in this process, the dog would have surely died. The Associated Veterinary Clinic of Walla Walla then treated the revived dog and released it.

Mouth to snout is not the only procedure that can be performed on dogs. In case of emergencies where the dogs heart stops, chest compressions can also be performed. Awareness about these procedures can perhaps save a dogs from death and allow him to live and play another day of fetch.

Many organizations, which previously provided training and certification in traditional CPR only, are now teaching pet CPR too and the concept is fast gaining popularity. The Red Cross in your locality may be conducting these classes and if you are interested in training you must contact them. You never know when such expertise may come to use.

CPR and first aid are two different, yet vitally important skills that should be learned by all individuals. Young and old alike, and persons from all walks of life, can and do greatly benefit from the knowledge of CPR and first aid.

CPR and first aid are often used interchangeably and are thought by many to be one and the same. The fact is, though both techniques are used in emergency situations, they are quite different skills. Both should be mastered by persons who wish to be able to improve the quality of life of those around them, but the differences between the two should be noted.

CPR, or cardiopulmonary resuscitation, is a first response technique that is used for individuals who are suffering from heart attack. Using a combination of mouth-to-mouth resuscitation and chest compressions, CPR can provide victims of cardiac emergencies with enough blood flow to the brain to increase viability and to reduce the risk of brain damage. CPR is also sometimes used in cases where victims are unconscious, such as drowning, in order to resume respiration.

First aid is the act of providing immediate, emergency care to persons who suffer from a medical crisis. First aid is an all-encompassing term that applies to the care given in multiple situations, including wounds, burns, allergies, bites and stings, poisonings, and nearly any other situation that might require medical care. The term first aid can be used to describe the treatment given in any situation, even those that do not require a visitation to a medical professional.

Both first aid and CPR training are widely available. In order to be able to provide the best possible care in emergency situations, individuals should seriously consider becoming certified in both. Training for CPR and first aid are available in an easily accessible, online format through American Health Care Academy at www.cpraedcourse.com. This training is thorough yet inexpensive. Above all, becoming certified in first aid and CPR can greatly increase the quality of life of all of those around you.

Remember to consult with your vet for hands on training if desired.

Airway

After determining that the animal is non-responsive, step one in performing dog CPR is obtaining a good airway. This is a very important step. You should seek to achieve this first before continuing on.

Remember that making sure your pet has a clear airway is the most important aspect of CPR. Without oxygen your pet could die within minutes.

Pull out the tongue of your pet carefully. The emphasis here is on carefully. Pets, even when unconscious can bite by instinct. Keep the pet’s neck straight, and line up the neck and the back. In case there is neck trauma, do not hyper-extend the neck.

Then, try giving the animal two rescue breaths. Perform this by putting your mouth to its nose, and keeping the animal’s mouth closed. If your breaths go in then you can continue. However, if they do not go in, it means that there is an obstruction in the animal’s airway.

In this case, inspect the animal’s airway, and try to extract the obstructing object. If you cannot, try doing a modified Heimlich maneuver. Turn the animal over with its back against your chest and its head towards the ground in a bear hug. Deliver five thrusts to the abdomen. Imagine making each thrust dislodge the object. Be careful that you do not deliver too much pressure as it may cause damage if overdone.

Do not stop until you are able to clear the airway. Even if the animal goes into cardiac arrest (meaning no heartbeat), the primary concern is to open the airway and keep it clear.

Breathing

When the airway is cleared, determine if the animal is breathing on its own. If it is not, pull out its tongue again (again very carefully) so that the tongue does not itself obstruct the airway, and perform mouth to nose respiration.

Circulation

The last step of animal CPR should only be done if the airway and breathing are stabilized. Make sure there are no pools of blood or spurting. If there is, control these as necessary.

Lay the animal on its right side, now put your hands on the part where the animal’s left elbow touches its chest. This is the marker for the middle of the animal’s rib cage. Compress this part fifteen times then administer two rescue breaths. Repeat this cycle of 15 compressions then 2 rescue breaths.

This compression will change according to the size of the animal. If the pet is small use compressions that are half an inch deep, for medium dogs one inch, and for large dogs, one and a half inches. Repeat this as necessary until emergency assistance arrives.

When administering animal CPR, you must make a deliberate decision to be calm and collected. Doing CPR in a panic will only result in wrong decisions that may further imperil the life of the animal.

Remember that your CPR actions are first-at-the scene maneuvers, and that your pet will still need expert medical attention. Make sure that the veterinarian has been alerted as soon as you are able.

Pet CPR is a very important skill for those who deal with emergency medical cases concerning dogs. Further training is recommended. Contact your vet to ask about this training. This article is only meant to provide an introduction to dog CPR. Although not everyone learns it, those who do are a vital factor in saving the lives of many beloved pets.

Natural disasters like hurricanes, tornadoes and earthquakes can strike at anytime or any place without warning. They can destroy homes and businesses and even take lives. But the key to any sort of natural disaster, like earthquake or flood, or even a bioterrorist attack is to BE PREPARED.

The old Boy Scout Motto “Be Prepared” applies to virtually any situation. So being prepared means a lot of things and takes a lot of preparation. One thing you can do is create emergency survival kits. If you live in an area prone to earthquakes, prepare an earthquake survival plan and create a survival plan. What will you eat, where will you stay, how will you contact loved ones after the earthquake. Keep supplies of canned and dried food on hand, tons of water, along with plenty of batteries, and even a “go-bag” which has clothes and toiletries for each member of the family. An emergency kit is also good in areas with hurricanes, and flooding. Pack the kit with items you think you might need to last you and your family 3 to 4 days, which is usually the response time for emergency management services.

The kit should include canned food, water, radio and flashlights. It might be a good idea to put some books, and activities for small children to keep them occupied during down time and a deck or two of cards to keep the adults busy as well. Also make copies of important documents and seal them in a waterproof plastic bag to keep in the kit. This is just in case you have to evacuate your home because it was destroyed or deemed unsafe. Copies of important paperwork can speed along red tape processes.

One of the most important items to keep in an emergency survival kit is a first aid kit. A first aid kit can be as basic or extensive as you would like, but should at least have all the necessities such as bandages, antiseptic, gauze, and basic suturing kit. One of the most important survival elements that can not be found in the first aid kit is CPR certification. Every adult should know CPR. Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) is an important lifesaving skill that can help in any natural disaster situation. It can be used to prolong life until emergency services arrive, and performed properly it can save lives.

The best way to learn to perform CPR properly is take a CPR certification class through a qualified CPR training program, likewww.CPRAEDCourse.com. They have qualified instructors in an online training environment to produce nationally certified CPR certification classes. Anyone with the potential to be in a natural disaster, from flood, to earthquake, from hurricane to tornado should be CPR certified and prepared. An online CPR classes, like those available at www.cpraedcourse.com can help you “Be Prepared.”

Natural disaster, YIKES! You never know when one might strike. It could be a hurricane, a tornado, or an earthquake. They can come and be gone in the blink of an eye and leave quite a mess behind. But you can never be too prepared for a natural disaster, not matter what form it may come in.

www.CPRAEDCourse.com

Learning cardiopulmonary resuscitation, more commonly known as CPR, is a worthy enterprise. The technique has been known to save lives and in some cases, was the only thing standing between a victim of heart failure and certain death.

That said, well meaning individuals who are interested in learning CPR could very confused as to the best place to obtain proper CPR training.

Although volunteer facilities or civic organizations are okay places to learn about CPR, there is a greater benefit to taking an accredited CPR course. You don’t have to be a paramedic or EMT to sign up for such a class, in fact, everybody can, and should consider CPR accreditation.

What are the advantages?

Getting it done right

If you find yourself in a situation where CPR will be employed, you want to do it right. Volunteers at clubhouses, with the best of intentions, could very well be unaware of proper procedure. This is not to say that the courses offered at certain organizations have no merit, rather, there is a difference in quality. For example, a person can learn to dogpaddle but it always better to learn how to swim.

You’ll be certified

Although you won’t be able to call yourself a medical professional, you will be certified to perform the procedure. This can end up being a very important distinction in a life threatening situation. A certification can reap psychological benefits for the student as well, giving you the confidence to perform CPR. Confidence is just as important as knowledge of the technique itself, as someone who is unsure could botch the resuscitation attempt.

You can really learn the CPR technique

Being able to take time and really study cardiopulmonary resuscitation will give you a real handle on what it can and cannot do. You’ll also obtain a more in depth understand of what CPR is and how it affects the heart. Knowing how the technique saves lives can be very important as it gives you can greater appreciation of what you are learning.

It looks good on resumes

People who go the extra mile in any endeavor are often admired, especially by potential employers. It never hurts to display a civic minded side to companies as they will look at you as a great potential asset. In other words, by doing something that will aid others, you can also, inadvertently, help yourself.

Ability to help loved ones

Statistically speaking, you’ll more than likely help someone close to you with CPR than a stranger. In the US alone 3 out of 4 heart arrests and failures occur in the family home. This means that you will most likely be using CPR on a family member or acquaintance. Wouldn’t you like to know that you are more than capable of helping a loved one in distress if the need arose.

You won’t hurt anyone

Improperly applied CPR can potentially harm people. Some individuals who had CPR performed on them even experienced broken ribs. While this can occur even with a properly applied CPR procedure, the chances are heightened if an individual doesn’t understand how to apply the appropriate pressure on the chest.

Yes, it may cost a few dollars to learn CPR via an accredited course; however, it could cost a lot more in the long run if you don’t know how to properly employ the procedure.

If you wish to learn CPR, check into local accredited training courses in your area. By taking this extra step to aid your fellow man, you can rest assured that you will be more capable to render aid should you ever find yourself in an emergency situation.

Now, more then ever, CPR certification (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation) is a skill that everyone should have. With today’s busy lifestyle, online CPR certification has become most convenient. CPR courses are available through authorized online CPR certification classes and they are a lot simpler. Although you may have been CPR certified in the past, your certification needs to be renewed every two years to meet the most updated CPR, ECC and American Red Cross guidelines. So remember a CPR refresher course always keeps you most current with the needed skills.

Parents should especially receive child and infant CPR certification in the event of an emergency at home. CPR courses are especially necessary in May and at the beginning of June each year, as this is when people begin to populate pools and hit the beaches. It is better to take a simple online CPR certification class then to regret not knowing what to do in the event of an emergency. The knowledge gained in an online CPR certification training course could make a world of a difference to the life you save, until help can arrive.

Websites such as www.CPRAEDCourse.com have simple and easy to follow online CPR certification courses. American Health Care Academy’s video demonstrations and updated curriculum can teach these valuable life saving skills.

CPR certification is also mandatory for many jobs and some human resource departments may host training. But as corporations begin to downsize and outsource, that training can quickly be forgotten or outdated. An online CPR certification program is a great solution for a busy executive. Classes are convenient and fast, and provide the skills needed to save a life. Online CPR certification training can fit into any corporate worker’s schedule, and is constantly updated to provide the most current information.

Remember CPR certification saves lives, and anyone who has contact with the public should be trained in CPR. American Health Care Academy’s online CPR certification training program is student-centered, simple and informative. With all the training programs available, there is no excuse for anyone to not be CPR certified.

Knowing the basics of first aid allows you to have emergency preparedness in any situation. Something could go wrong at any time, whether you’re at home, out hiking or in a restaurant. That’s why it’s so important you know how to handle yourself and others in case of an emergency.

One of the essentials of emergency preparedness is learning CPR. If you don’t already know it, take classes at a local community college or a YMCA. Classes like this are always being offered because it is a part of first aid that is very crucial to learn. You also might be able to find free CPR lessons offered at different times of the year. Also, you cannot use the same type of CPR on babies as you would adults. So, you will need to learn both types of this life saving technique to truly be schooled in emergency preparedness.

Another thing you’ll want to do for emergency preparedness is to have a first aid kit with you at all times. It’s wise to keep one in your house and in your car. First aid kits can contain sterile gauze, adhesive tape, adhesive bandages in several sizes, elastic bandages, antiseptic wipes, tweezers, sharp scissors and other items. You will also want to have a list of emergency numbers handy at all times as well. Being prepared means that you will have a greater chance at surviving any disaster that befalls you or your family.

There isn’t much you can do to prevent an emergency from occurring but equipping yourself with the necessary first aid items will help you to react in a timely and organized fashion if something does happen. Emergency preparedness is incredibly important because not only will it make you feel more secure, but it could end up saving your life or the life of someone you love.

Child Chokes on Carrot and Dies – Does your Au Pair know CPR?

Tragedy struck a Long Island day school Wednesday, March 16, 2009, when police say a two-year-old girl died after choking on a piece of raw carrot.

According to the Carousel Day School in Hicksville, New York,  the girl began to choke after eating a piece of carrot.  Daycare employees tried to perform CPR on her, before rushing the toddler to Nassau University Medical Center where she was pronounced dead at 4:25 p.m.

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics one child in the U.S. dies from choking on food every 5 days!

Is your au pair certified in CPR?  Did your agency train your au pair to adequately handle such an emergency if your child started to choke on food?  If your au pair does not have the CPR Certification or the necessary skills required to dislodge food from a child’s throat, it may mean the difference of life or death for your child.

We took a look at the 12 au pair agencies and we found health and safety information on all their sites that confirm all au pairs do receive some training in first aid and CPR. The U.S. Department of State requires that some form of basic training must be provided during the 4-5 day au pair orientation. 

We found that only one of the agencies provides the full CPR Core training that results in a CPR Certification!

Let’s take a look at what the agencies claim they provide (not all agencies are listed here as most of them only had one or two sentences regarding the “training” given to the au pairs before they are released to your home):

Au Pair In America

In terms of CPR training, Au Pair in America states their “Orientation includes seminars by American Red Cross (trained) instructors who provide hands-on demonstrations in infant/child CPR and safety.”  How much training is not stated and the au pairs do not receive a CPR Certification.

However, APIA will pay for an Infant/Child CPR and First Aid Certification for standard au pairs and Child/Adult CPR Certification for Educare au pairs.  The way it works is, your au pair finds a Red Cross training in your town, pays for it (or you do), completes and passes the course, receiving her Certification and APIA will reimburse you.  CPR training costs about $200 and it is well worth the money.

APIA is the only au pair agency that will reimburse your au pair for this training.

Au Pair Care

Au Pair Care has an Au Pair Academy where the au pairs receive “Hands-on American Heart Association CPR & First Aid training.”  They do not provide the CPR Core training that results in a CPR Certificate for the standard or educare au pairs.  They do provide CPR Certification for the au pairs enrolled in the Infant Specialized Program.

Au Pair Care’s Infant Specialized Program Training:

Au Pair Care is the only au pair agency that provides the CPR Core Certification Training,  but only in their Infant Program.

The training “utilizes a hands-on approach to train au pairs in infant safety and caregiving and infant stimulation and development.” AuPairCare Infant Specialized au pairs attend a certification course in infant CPR and First Aid by the American Heart Association. 

A spokesperson at Au Pair Care told us they could not guarantee all au pairs will pass the course (approximately 8+ hours training and a formal test), but she did said they have had “great success” with this program and the CPR Certification Training.

“Au pairs also receive instruction from AuPairCare trainers certified in Infant Massage with the Liddle KidzTM Foundation, and instruction from trainers certified in Infant Sign language by Baby Fingers, a leading Infant Sign Language learning organization.”

The Infant Specialized Care Program is a wonderful place to start if you have an infant and are considering au pair childcare – we highly recommend that if you have a child under the age of 22 months, call AuPairCare first!

InterExchange Au Pair

This program provide a “full day on child health and safety with an American Red Cross licensed instructor focusing on:”

First Aid, CPR, and Rescue Breathing

Accident Prevention Awareness

Car, Fire, Toy, Indoor and Outdoor Safety

Basic Child Healthcare

Cultural Care

Upon arrival to the U.S., Cultural Care au pairs “attend an exclusive, four-day training program focused on child development and safety. Our unique Au Pair Training School offers instruction from dedicated and experienced educators in a classroom setting. Small class sizes allow teachers to give au pairs one-to-one attention.”

“What do Cultural Care au pairs learn at the Au Pair Training School?  The Cultural Care Au Pair staff developed the curriculum for the four-day program in collaboration with The Children’s Foundation in Washington, D.C.”

Topics covered include:

Health and Safety in the Home

Child Nutrition

Common Childhood Illnesses

Safety and Emergency Education

Effective Communication

Au Pairs as Role Models

Ages & Stages: Birth to Teenage Years

Age-appropriate Materials and Activities

Building Self-esteem in Children

Behavior Management

We strongly recommend that your au pair complete a CPR and First Aid Certification course so you can have peace of mind knowing, if your child chokes on a piece of carrot, your au pair will jump into action and save the day!

You can find local training courses by visiting the Red Cross at http://www.redcross.org/