Who here is CPR/First Aid qualified?

[Fluffy]

I am Red Cross CPR and First Aid certified as well as a certified Seattle FD fisrt responder. My wife is (was, needs to be recertified) and EMT. I can't stress how immportant it is to be able to help out in a bad situation. And with the arts we have chosen, a situation will arise eventually.

[Shirt Ripper]

Aye.

[Blindside]

Both, and I just signed up for my Wildnerness First Responder training last week. I've been an initial responder on two vehicle accidents in the last two years, that just made me want better training (and gear!)

Lamont

[Martial Tucker]

I am Red Cross CPR and First Aid certified as well as a certified Seattle FD fisrt responder. My wife is (was, needs to be recertified) and EMT. I can't stress how immportant it is to be able to help out in a bad situation. And with the arts we have chosen, a situation will arise eventually.
I was a Scoutmaster for years, and had to have both, but I have maintained a level of competence in 1st aid since I was a youth in Scouts. And it's funny how often I've had to use it in sudden emergency situations.

I've had so many instances where an emergency has happened and everyone around just freezes.

In college I saw a kid chasing a frisbee run thru a glass door. He was bleeding profusely, and everyone just stood there.

I was in a health club lifting weights and a guy in a nearby raquetball court had a heart attack......No one around but me and his partner....time for CPR

I was in Hawaii and an elderly man almost drowned while a crowd stood around yelling at each other to call 911. Again, CPR and treatment for shock.

These are just a few of many things that have happened around me over the years.....when you least expect it.

I've actually thought about being trained as an EMT, but am unfamiliar with a "first responder". What is that, and how do you train for it?

Since I always seem to stumble onto accident scenes, I feel like I should learn more.......

[Blindside]

I've actually thought about being trained as an EMT, but am unfamiliar with a "first responder". What is that, and how do you train for it?


First Responder training is an intermediate step between first aid and EMT training. Training is about 40 hourse, an example of a First Responder curriculum is here:
http://www.ems.ohio.gov/Education/FR%20curriculum04.pdf
Wilderness First Responder is a bit different, because the assumption is that you must maintain treatment beyond the golden hour. Training is about 80 hours, an example of a Wilderness First Responder curriculum is:
http://www.wildmed.com/course_fact_sheets/wfr_facts.html

Lamont

[Martial Tucker]

First Responder training is an intermediate step between first aid and EMT training. Training is about 40 hourse, an example of a First Responder curriculum is here:
http://www.ems.ohio.gov/Education/FR%20curriculum04.pdf
Wilderness First Responder is a bit different, because the assumption is that you must maintain treatment beyond the golden hour. Training is about 80 hours, an example of a Wilderness First Responder curriculum is:
http://www.wildmed.com/course_fact_sheets/wfr_facts.html

Lamont

Perfect! Thanks for the info!

[tshadowchaser]

lets see i worked ambulance in Anaheim, ca for over ten years and now I still keep my certs up (its required by my new job) so
both

[Drac]

The department paid for the first responder training..All are cruisers are fully equipted with first aid kits,oxygen and an AED too..We sometimes beat the Rescue Squads to calls..

[clfsean]

I help teach MA at a college & had to certify there this year as part of the rec center program.

[karatekid1975]

Both. I need to be recertified, though. I have had to do first aid a few times in MA. So it's good to know.

[Cujo]

Adult, child and infant cpr. Certified for A.E.D. I was an EMT but my cert. has expired.

Pax
Cujo

[Jonathan Randall]

I got certified as a First Responder (advanced first aid/cpr) while a volunteer for the Coast Guard. Our division put it on and the training was very worthwhile and more in depth than the basic first aid stuff we got in crew training.

I also took a full semester class in college in Advanced First Aid and CPR, but that was twenty years ago. Periodically, I've taken Red Cross Standard First Aid/CPR which is basic good information but less than First Responder and FAR less than EMT.

[Lisa]

CPR/First Aid qualified. Part of my last qualification was also a chapter on chemical spills and poisonous snake bites :erg:

I work on a University campus and it was mandatory for us to take that part in conjuntion with the CPR course. I doubt I will ever come across a chemical spill or a poisonous snake as I work at an orthodox seminary that is located on the university, but I guess one can never be too safe! :D

[Kacey]

I am certified in both CPR and First Aid - my association (YomChi TKD) requires all instructors to be certified in both, and provides opportunties for instructors to take the classes at association events; I last updated my certification at our TKD camp last summer.

[Jonathan Randall]

CPR/First Aid qualified. Part of my last qualification was also a chapter on chemical spills and poisonous snake bites :erg:

I work on a University campus and it was mandatory for us to take that part in conjuntion with the CPR course. I doubt I will ever come across a chemical spill or a poisonous snake as I work at an orthodox seminary that is located on the university, but I guess one can never be too safe! :D

That's funny. :)

I had to take an Operations Workshop on chemical spills in the Auxiliary - but we did encounter them.

On a different point, some martial arts orgs. require instructors to be certified in First Aid/CPR. Personally, I think all martial artists should be at some point.

[jdinca]

Fire Captain, EMT, CPR, former paramedic, 24 years and counting. :)

CPR is down to a 3 hour class and it's only $30. There's no reason we shouldn't all be CPR certified, especially the instructors. :wink:

Consider it the yin and yang of martial arts. In some systems, one of the degrees of BB has to do with healing arts.

[Swordlady]

I'm certified in both CPR (adult, child and infant) and First Aid. Very useful to know, especially when working with children.

[Zepp]

I used to be certified in both. I've been meaning to do something about that. :D (But for now I marked neither.)

[BlackCatBonz]

im certified in cpr and first aid...but i do believe its time to re-certify as they have made some changes to the cpr method now......giving more focus to chest compressions over respiration.

[Fluffy]

Adult, child and infant cpr. Certified for A.E.D. I was an EMT but my cert. has expired.

Pax
Cujo

Infant CPR is something I've been avoiding.....need to get it done!

[Fluffy]

I got certified as a First Responder (advanced first aid/cpr) while a volunteer for the Coast Guard. Our division put it on and the training was very worthwhile and more in depth than the basic first aid stuff we got in crew training.

I also took a full semester class in college in Advanced First Aid and CPR, but that was twenty years ago. Periodically, I've taken Red Cross Standard First Aid/CPR which is basic good information but less than First Responder and FAR less than EMT.

My wife is a reserve puddle jumper (9 years active) that's where she got her EMT certification out of Alaska. If I were to do it all over I'd go CG over Army.........but don't tell my wife I said that.

[BlackCatBonz]

Infant CPR is something I've been avoiding.....need to get it done!

the course i took included infant cpr.

[7starmantis]

Former paramedic here, so both. I keep everything current (for some unkown reason).

7sm

[splazzatch]

I am a certified First Aid/CPR/AED Instructor. I currently teach with my church and with my work. I have thought about going for EMT training and riding with the ambulance service.

[Fluffy]

the course i took included infant cpr.

I was certified, I let it laps. I just have never been comfortable with it, but part of the first responder certification requires infant CPR.....I'm just not looking forward to the course.

[Fluffy]

I am a certified First Aid/CPR/AED Instructor. I currently teach with my church and with my work. I have thought about going for EMT training and riding with the ambulance service.

Red Cross?

[splazzatch]

Yes, Red Cross, probably should have mentioned that..

[Bigshadow]

I don't have certification, but I have been trained. I have been through the First Responder's course. :) I trained in extrication, first aid, cpr, delivering babies, etc. ;) Of course, I am way over due to for some recurrency training.

[jdinca]

im certified in cpr and first aid...but i do believe its time to re-certify as they have made some changes to the cpr method now......giving more focus to chest compressions over respiration.

There are changes every couple of years. You're correct in that compressions are getting more attention than breaths. The dispatcher CPR directions just radically changed.

[Fluffy]

You can count on major changes about every two years, mostly protocol.....your manuals should remain your mainstay, in regards to the basics.

[karatekid1975]

the course i took included infant cpr.

Same here. It was an 8 hour course, because it included, adult, child, and infant CPR.

I seriously got to get recertified .....

[IcemanSK]

I'm certified in CPR as part of my job. Since I work w/ kids, ya never know when it'll come in handy.

[splazzatch]

I believe the new red cross changes will take affect in February or March. they are changing the rates of breath to compression from 1 breath then 15 compression to the new rate of 2 breaths then 30 compressions. They are also redoing the old movies from the 80's to be new and up to date on DVD.

[MA-Caver]

I was a Scoutmaster for years, and had to have both, but I have maintained a level of competence in 1st aid since I was a youth in Scouts. And it's funny how often I've had to use it in sudden emergency situations.
<snip>
I've had so many instances where an emergency has happened and everyone around just freezes.
[/QUOTE.]
Seems you happen to always be at the right place at the right time, at least for those you've helped. With people shocking and freeziing up during those "seconds count" moments it's a good thing that there was at least someone (you) was around who put their training into action.
People are apparently not as de-sensitized as those against violence in the media say they are. Lots of people "freeze-up" because it's real and the blood is real and that makes it (for them) surreal. Another reason (alibet probably a small one) that folks "freeze" is fear of liability. Do something to help and save their life and be a hero. Do something to help and hurt them more (but saving their life anyway, pulling someone out of a burning car and finding out you compounded their back injury doing so...) and a hungry lawyer comes to the surface. So some folks are more scared of litigation than they are of helping someone in need.
[QUOTE=Marshall Tucker] I've actually thought about being trained as an EMT, but am unfamiliar with a "first responder". What is that, and how do you train for it?

I am a first responder and so is basically anyone else who is the first to respond to the scene. My training for that however specifically covers items that are necessary prior to the actual first aiding. 1. Securing the scene; making sure that there are no further dangers to injure you and others, including the victim. 2. Selecting one person to make the 911 call instead of (as you've experienced) a dozen people screaming for the same thing. 3. The commencement of first aid.
My SAR group had this training when I was an active member several years ago... (they still do). It was given by a qualified instructor with the local fire-department. You may want to inquire there to start.
As martial artists it benefits us to take both CPR and First-Aid. For instructors (IMO) it's a must! The "you never know" scenario can and will rear it's ugly head during classes.
:asian:

[TheBattousai]

I was certified in both (I need to check the CPR), but that was for back when I thought of becoming an EMT myself. Unfortunetly, it didn't work out, because of the little pay in the area and I couldn't handle child birth. It is good to know both though for practical reasons in and outside of a dojo.

[Flying Crane]

I am certified thru PADI, the Professional Association of Diving Instructors, but am in need of a refresher.

[arnisador]

Mine lapsed about 8 years ago.

[Swordlady]

I believe the new red cross changes will take affect in February or March. they are changing the rates of breath to compression from 1 breath then 15 compression to the new rate of 2 breaths then 30 compressions. They are also redoing the old movies from the 80's to be new and up to date on DVD.

Huh...the last time I got my certification renewed (summer 2005), it was 2 breaths followed 15 compressions for adults, and 1 breath followed by 5 compressions for children and infants. That was the way it has been all the times I took my recertification. I just think it'll be hard to keep track of 30 compressions, as opposed to 15.

[Drac]

CPR is down to a 3 hour class and it's only $30. There's no reason we shouldn't all be CPR certified, especially the instructors

Amen..

[Fluffy]

I believe the new red cross changes will take affect in February or March. they are changing the rates of breath to compression from 1 breath then 15 compression to the new rate of 2 breaths then 30 compressions. They are also redoing the old movies from the 80's to be new and up to date on DVD.

Was there any final decision on how to find the commpression point on an adult? Via the side - accross the chest (First Responder) or up the stomach past the solar plexus (sp) (Red Cross). This is a point I'd like to have final clarification on.

[masherdong]

I am certified in both.

[Kenpobldr]

I have just the CPR but have not done the first aid yet. I also have completed the 10 hour OSHA certification, but I need that for work.

[Swordlady]

Was there any final decision on how to find the commpression point on an adult? Via the side - accross the chest (First Responder) or up the stomach past the solar plexus (sp) (Red Cross). This is a point I'd like to have final clarification on.

I was taught to place two fingers below the breastbone to find the compression point, which I think is the Red Cross standard (I'll check later when I get home from work).

[splazzatch]

I teach from the Red Cross to place your ring finger in the notch above the solar plexus and then put your middle and index finger down and place your other palm next to the index finger...that is the compression point.

[Fluffy]

I teach from the Red Cross to place your ring finger in the notch above the solar plexus and then put your middle and index finger down and place your other palm next to the index finger...that is the compression point.

3 different ways......as long as well all get there.

[Aqua4ever]

I've got both, work at a summer camp in the summer so I need it
Good to have, even just as confidence to yourself
Aqua

[jdinca]

Two fingers above the notch at the bottom of the sternum (xiphoid process). I believe that is changing, has been changed to the nipple line, which would eliminate some of the confusion.

[Suntail]

I can do CPR, but luckily have never needed it. I've never been trained in first aid outside of scouts and my summer job (camp for diabetic kids). Where can I go for training?

[Jonathan Randall]

I can do CPR, but luckily have never needed it. I've never been trained in first aid outside of scouts and my summer job (camp for diabetic kids). Where can I go for training?

http://www.redcross.org/services/hss/courses/

[Blindside]

Two fingers above the notch at the bottom of the sternum (xiphoid process). I believe that is changing, has been changed to the nipple line, which would eliminate some of the confusion.

My last class taught nipple line, with the caveat for certain body types whose nipples might be well, anywhere....

[Jonathan Randall]

I am certified thru PADI, the Professional Association of Diving Instructors, but am in need of a refresher.

I actually think that is superior to the basic Red Cross courses (not that they are bad, of course). My last instructor was a Master Diver Instructor as well as Flotilla Commander and Coxswain in the Coast Guard Auxiliary and he was able to add quite a bit of information and real world experience that I didn't get in my other courses. One thing particularly I remember him telling us was to ask first when approaching a scene: "How did this person become injured, and am I in danger myself from the same thing? A first responder is worse than useless if they become incapacitated themselves."

[Adept]

As a crowd controller/bouncer, it's something I have to have for work.

[beau_safken]

Both here..former lifeguard

[Cirdan]

Former infantry sergeant. These are among the core skills for a rifleman. Also had several updating courses when I was a 2.lt in the technical corps, when I went to electrical engineering school and at the dojo. Several of the people I train with are nurses, doctors or the like. It is a little strange tough that the "correct" way to do CPR keeps changing.

[scottcatchot]

Actually, I your post made me check my cert and it is up. SO I am not certified due to needing to recert,. Thanks for reminder.

[bluemtn]

A long time ago, I used to be both. I need and want to re-certify- thanks for the link.

[samurai69]

I was first trained when i was a life guard and then through my job as a personal trainer, since moving to portugal my qualification has lapsed, but there is a new nurse starting at the school my wife works at who will be able to re test and qualify me.

Its very important and stuff you never really forget, though the methods change regularly

[Simon Curran]

I voted both, but strictly speaking that isn't quite accurate, since my qualifications are out of date, and I missed the most recent course at work.
Doesn't mean I'd stand back and watch someone in distress though...

[evenflow1121]

I remember when I was smaller, watching two guys spar and one of them spin kick the other in the face, only thing was the heel of his foot landed on the other's neck and realizing how important CPR was.

[stickarts]

Both here. We hold CPR classes annually and First aid every two years for our staff. This year we also included using the AED.

[Miles]

I am certified in both-the school I teach at requires it. I have thankfully not had to use either though.

Miles

[jbclinic]

i find the need to instruct the kids in cpr/first aide it helps to extend your training and it's useful in everyday living.also it might convence others to broaden thier skills, toward healing and spiritual enlightenment.

[searcher]

I require all of my instructors to have at least basic first aid and CPR certification. I have several nurses and paramedics that are students and some that are instructors. I am a certified first aid responder.

[bushidomartialarts]

I'm first aid/cpr and aed certified and seriously considering getting instructor certified as well. Also, my dojo requires first aid/cpr certification as part of the black belt material.

[masherdong]

Which reminds me that I need to renew soon.

[Kembudo-Kai Kempoka]

Have to renew regularly for state relicensure.

[Cryozombie]

Mine expired in like october. So I am not certified anymore, but that piece of paper doesnt mean I cant do it if I have to.

[bushidomartialarts]

on the subject, has everybody heard that Red Cross is changing their procedures this year?

[Kacey]

I had heard that - in fact, I'm not Red Cross trained; I'm was trained by the American Heart Association, which uses the method the Red Cross is switching to.

[fistlaw720]

AED as well...

[Xue Sheng]

Use to be in both, it expired, I have to renew.

[Slippery_Pete]

I am both...i first got certified for CPR and first-aid as a national ski patrol at 16 then at 19 for EMT and now this fall at 21 i start paramedic

[Fluffy]

Just got re-certified on both through the Red Cross..........

[Jonathan Randall]

I believe that my First Responder/CPR expired this month. This thread is a good reminder to get re-certified.

[Fluffy]

I believe that my First Responder/CPR expired this month. This thread is a good reminder to get re-certified.

Hey, I need to get mine re-certified as well. I look like a chump pushing my wife to get her EMT certification redone......and that takes a ride along.