Who is required to provide CPR and First Aid Training?
Examples of organizations that meet the established criteria are: Safety Team members, First Aid providers, Nursing Care facilities, Medical assistants, Doctors Offices, facilities for the Developmentally Disabled, Home Health Care workers, Hospitals and Outpatient facilities, Tissue Banks, Hospice facilities, General Dentistry, Medical Laboratories, Orthodontic and Oral Surgery facilities, Janitorial workers, Housekeepers, Laundry Attendants, Human labs, Sanitation workers, Plumbers, Industrial Facilities!
Who enforces the requirements?
•Senate bill 198, article 7 - Title 8 California Code of regulations, 
section 5193 and Cal-OSHA section 1910.1030: Requires all business of 10 or more employees to provide CPR and First aid courses
section 5193 and Cal-OSHA section 1910.1030: Requires all business of 10 or more employees to provide CPR and First aid courses •Title 8 California Code of regulations, Section 5193: Requires all businesses whose employees are exposed to potentially infectious materials must have an Exposure Control Plan and provide annual infection control training.......
•There are also many agencies controlling individual industries (I.e. Childcare providers, Healthcare facilities, retirement homes, etc..) on the local and regional level that require such training.
Who approves CPR F.A.S.T.'s Training Courses?
CPR F.A.S.T. exceeds all Federal, Cal-OSHA and Emergency Medical Authority requirements (including American Heart Association® Courses).
Is CPR F.A.S.T. Insured?
CPR F.A.S.T. is fully insured through the National Association of Professional Safety Instructors and Consultants (NAPSIC).
Who are our instructors?
CPR F.A.S.T.'s instructors are Currently employed Firefighters, EMT's and Paramedics with real life experience. All instructors are required to pass rigorous training and must demonstrate proficiency to hold valid a instructor's certification!
Who are our clients?
CPR F.A.S.T. has been providing its services to satisfied customers for many years. Our list of some of our customers :
- The City of Oakley
- Oakley Chamber of Commerce
- Unitek College
- Brentwood Post Office
- Brentwood Chamber of Commerce
- Brentwood Police Department
- The City of Brentwood
- Antioch Chamber of Commerce
- Byron Post Office
- Carson's Swim Schools
- Pyramids Cheer Gyms
- The Oakley unified School District
- Freedom High School
- St. Bernard's Church of Tracy
- Phlebotomy Plus
- Pittsburg Police Department
- Regional Training Institute
- Summerset
How does a typical training session work?
We will come to your facility at your convenience and provide your organization with the training of your choice. Our prices are the MOST reasonable and our instructor(s) are currently employed Firefighters, Paramedics and EMT's. We provide a fun learning environment and before you know it, you will have learned the skills necessary to save lives!!!
How efficient is Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)?
According to the American Heart Association, it is estimated that CPR is approximately 10-30% as efficient as the heart beating on its own.
Does mouth to mouth breathing provide adequate oxygen for the victim?
While the air you breathe in contains approximately 21% oxygen, your exhaled breath contains approximately 16% oxygen. Therefore, As long as you adhere to the recommended guidelines, there is plenty of oxygen for all parties involved!
How can I tell if CPR is working?
Defined, CPR is working if you are circulating oxygenated blood throughout the body. However, because you will not have the clinical tools necessary to verify this, the only way to tell is to see if the chest rises with ventilation and if the chest compression produces a pulse (someone must feel a pulse point while compressions are in progress). If you are unsure whether you are doing CPR correctly during an emergency - don't stop. Its better to perform CPR imperfectly than not at all!
Can performing CPR incorrectly kill the victim?
Presuming the victim has no pulse and is not breathing, No. Remember the person in cardiac arrest is already clinically dead. CPR can only help. Even if it is not done "letter perfect" it will probably provide some benefit to the victim.
What if I crack a rib when I do CPR?
Correctly performed CPR frequently causes broken ribs. Some studies quote up to 30% of cardiac arrest victims receive broken ribs as a result of CPR. This more commonly occurs with the older victim as the cartilage is less compliant and the bones more brittle. Just remember, it's better to have a cracked rib then be dead.
Will CPR always save a life?
For victims of Sudden Cardiac Arrest, CPR without defibrillation often results in an unsuccessful resuscitation.
Am I protected by the good Samaritan Law when performing lifesaving treatment, such as CPR, First Aid or Automated External Defibrillator?
Yes! While anybody can sue anyone for just about anything, there have been no successful cases when those involved acted in good faith as any prudent person would have done in similar circumstances. The good Samaritan Law protects those who would render aid in a time of need!
What is Sudden Cardiac Arrest?
Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA) simply means that the heart unexpectedly and abruptly quits beating. This is usually caused by an abnormal heart rhythm called ventricular fibrillation (VF). It is the number one killer of Americans. For more information on SCA click here.
Is Sudden Cardiac Arrest the same as a heart attack?
No. A heart attack is a condition in which the blood supply to the heart muscle is suddenly blocked, resulting in the death of the heart muscle. Heart attack victims usually (but not always) experience chest pain and usually remain conscious. Heart attacks are serious and sometimes will lead to sudden cardiac arrest. However, sudden cardiac arrest may occur independently from a heart attack and without warning signs. SCA results in death if not treated immediately.
Who is at risk for Sudden Cardiac Arrest?
SCA is difficult to predict and most victims have no prior symptoms. Anyone who has suffered SCA, a heart attack, or knows they have an arrhythmia may be at greater risk. While the average age of sudden cardiac arrest victims is around 65, sudden cardiac arrest can strike anyone, anywhere, and at anytime.
What is Ventricular Fibrillation?
Ventricular fibrillation (VF), often called "V-Fib" is an abnormal heart rhythm often seen in sudden cardiac arrest. This rhythm is caused by an abnormal and very fast electrical activity in the heart. VF is chaotic and unorganized; the heart just quivers and cannot effectively pump blood. VF will be short lived and will deteriorate to asystole (a flat line) if not treated promptly. The treatment for "V-Fib" is defibrillation. For each minute that VF persists, the likelihood of successful resuscitation decreases by approximately 10 percent.
What is Defibrillation?
The only effective treatment for VF is an electrical shock called defibrillation. Defibrillation is an electrical current applied to the chest, and to be successful, should be administered within 3 to 5 minutes after collapse. The electrical current passes through the heart with the goal of stopping the VF and giving an opportunity for the heart's normal electrical system to take control and pump blood again. After 10 minutes without defibrillation, very few resuscitation attempts are successful. An AED can defibrillate the heart.
What is an AED?
An AED (Automated External Defibrillator) is a device used to administer an electric shock through the chest wall to the heart. Built-in computers assess the patient's heart rhythm, judge whether defibrillation is needed, and then administer the shock. Audible and/or visual prompts guide the user through the process.
How does an external defibrillator work?
Voltage stored by the defibrillator pushes electrical current (a shock) through the chest by way of electrodes or paddles placed on the chest. This brief pulse of current halts the chaotic activity of heart, giving the heart a chance to re-start with a normal rhythm.
What if I attach the AED to someone who doesn't need it?
The AED makes shock delivery decisions based upon the patient's heart rhythm, and will not allow a shock to be delivered if not needed. Simply put, the machine will not let you shock a non-shockable rhythm.
Can I accidentally shock someone?
The AED will not charge up to deliver a shock unless it detects a shockable rhythm. Only after it goes into a "shock advised" mode will it charge up and advise the user to "deliver the shock now". The user simply pushes the button to deliver the shock.
How do I recognize the need for defibrillation?
You would place an AED on someone you would do CPR on (unresponsive, not breathing, and has no pulse)... The machine decides whether or not to defibrillate!
How do I remember the correct steps for using an AED?
The most difficult aspect of using an AED is recognizing the need for it in the first place! Once you have decided to use the device, simply follow the visual and audio prompts provided by the machine itself!
Should CPR be performed first before applying the AED?
While CPR is a lifesaving skill, it should be performed initially only to "buy time" until the AED arrives. Defibrillation is the single most important treatment for a victim in cardiac arrest and therefore, delaying the application should be avoided. The AED will then prompt you when to resume CPR. Keep in mind that CPR provides some circulation of oxygen-rich blood to the victim's heart and brain which can increase defibrillation success rates.
Can I be sued using the defibrillator?
To date, there have been no cases reported where someone was held liable for using an AED. However, there have been lawsuits for not having an AED regarding the "standard of care" (see examples below). Most states, including California, have passed "Good Samaritan" legislation protecting the lay rescuer from lawsuits. Exact wording taken from Congressional Bill, Section 248, defines this protection:
SEC. 248. (a) PERSONS USING AEDS- Any person who provides emergency medical care through the use of an automated external defibrillator is immune from civil liability for any personal injury or wrongful death resulting from the provision of such care, except as provided in subsection (c).
(c) INAPPLICABILITY OF IMMUNITY- Immunity under subsections (a) and (b) does not apply to a person if the person engaged in gross negligence or willful or wanton misconduct in the circumstances described in such subsections that apply to the person with respect to automated external defibrillators.
1) Busch Gardens, FL: found negligent for not properly training its employees to provide emergency care, and for failing to have essential medical equipment, including a defibrillator on premises. Plaintiff awarded $500,000 in damages for the death of her teenage daughter! This case was reported by Richard A. Lazar, Defibrillators Enter the Business Marketplace, Occupational Health & Safety, August(1997)
2) United Airlines: suit filed by widow of a passenger who died from SCA, alleges the on-board medical equipment carried by the airline was not adequate to treat her husband. A defibrillator was not on board.
Must I remove the defibrillator pads before doing chest compressions?
No. The pads remain on throughout the resuscitation and until the patient is transferred to advanced care providers such as paramedics. If the pads are in their correct locations on the patient's chest, they will not interfere with proper hand placement or compressions.
After I have successfully defibrillated the victim and have return of a pulse, do I keep the AED on the patient?
Yes, even after the patient has been successfully defibrillated, they are still at risk of developing ventricular fibrillation again. The AED will continually monitor the victim for the return of VF. If VF is suspected, the device will prompt you. The AED should be left on until emergency personnel assume responsibility for the patient. The defibrillation pads (electrodes) are disposable.
Can anyone buy an automated external defibrillator?
AED's are devices manufactured and sold under guidelines approved by the FDA. Current FDA rules require a physician's prescription to buy an AED, though there is legislation in the works to streamline the process and encourage public access defibrillation programs.
Is there a lot of maintenance required?
The AED is designed to maintain itself in a state of readiness. Self checks are done and if a problem is encountered, the AED will visually and audibly advise the owner that a problem exists.
There are two types of batteries available for the Lifepak 500®: rechargeable and disposable.Rechargeable batteries are checked on a daily basis. Disposable batteries are good for those AED units in public access and environments where they will not be used frequently or checked on a daily basis.
