Welcome Spring!

🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷

Spring brings new adventures, whether it’s hiking, biking, or one of the other countless outdoor activities to do during spring in Oklahoma! While we’re all excited to soak up the season, it's important to be prepared for the unexpected. In Oklahoma that often brings with it spring storms, tornados, and wildfires. Getting prepared looks different for everyone based on their interests and activities, the makeup of their families, and other factors but some standard precautions include:

cleaning out the tornado shelter for use (spiders, rodents and serpents thrive in used spaces)
    ...or making a tornado plan if you don't have one
downloading weather alerts on your phone, 
    ...and/or purchasing a weather radio that doesn't depend on electricity working
register your storm shelter with local officials 
    ...(in OKC go here: https://app.okc.gov/applications/stormshelter/Forms/Welcome.aspx, 
    ...other localities have registries as well)
make a plan for your pets
    ...whether it's practicing getting them into the shelter when there isn't an emergency or kenneling
talk to all family members about your family emergency plan
    ...discuss wearing shoes when weather approaches, what each individuals responsibilities are
    ...discuss taking along time-sensitive emergency meds such as inhalers when seeking shelter
    ...discuss a meeting place in the event you somehow get seperated from one another
    ...discuss what families members should do if they aren't home and face threatening weather
keep a well-stocked first aid kit handy
    ...in the shelter is a great place to keep that, even if a second kit is kept within your home
stock your shelter with necessities
    ...bottled water, snacks, chargers for phones/weather radios, battery operated lights/flashlights
    ...seating for family, paper towels and/or wet wipes, activities or games to keep children busy
practice your tornado emergency drills just like you practice fire emergency drills

    ...practicing now allows small children, pets, and anxious older family members to remain calm

Once you've got your space and family prepared for weather threats, consider taking one of our CPR + First Aid classes to learn about outdoor emergencies that are more likely to occur during warm weather months. We discuss heat emergencies, insect bites and stings, snake bites, as well as sprains, broken limbs, bleeding emergencies, injuries to various body parts, recognizing and responding to shock, and recognizing other life-threatening medical emergencies like heart attacks, strokes, and choking.

We even offer Pet First Aid + CPR to help navigate those topics for your four-legged best friends that like to enjoy the great outdoors by your side. We also sell pet-specific first aid kits as well as those for the human variety, so we aim to be your one stop shop for first aid preparedness. Join us soon to check off an important educational opportunity that has the ability to save a life now or years down the road!

#CPRSavesLives #spring #springpreparedness #oklahomacitycpr #cpr #firstaid #petcpr

- Ginger Davis

Heartland CPR, llc

405-603-6666

www.HeartlandCPR.com

Social Media Isn't Always Right When It Comes to Healthcare Topics

Not a single month goes by that one or two well-meaning friends doesn't send me some variation of a viral social media post claiming that if you are alone and suspect you're having a heart attach, a perfectly timed and executed cough is the solution for someone experiencing a heart attack.  I usually find a way to humbly thank them for passing that along but I go on to explain that, like in many areas, social media healthcare advice has the ability to gain traction and take on a life of their own even when what is being shared over and over that is, simply put, a bad idea not at all based on science or backed by experts in the field...the time it takes to try to carefully orchestrate a cough at the exact right moment to be beneficial in this scenario would be much better spent chewing aspirin and calling 911.  

"Cough CPR" as it's called is simply a myth and definitely misleading many people.  This is not an area where you should gamble or waste time doing self-help quack medicine.  I could easily post dozens of links where this advice has been debunked and actual advice from real medical professionals, but you can see the vast number of results for yourself by typing "Cough CPR" into your social media or search browser.  

What  will share is the official statement from the American Heart Association, the definitive experts on the subjects surrounding this very wrong but often shared advice on the matter.

Misinformation has circulated for years on social media about how coughing forcefully can treat a heart attack. Health experts are quick to debunk that myth and warn that "cough CPR" is ineffective.

 Anytime anyone is having chest pain or other symptoms of a heart attack, get to a hospital. Calling 911 is the safest way to get to a hospital for chest pain," said Dr. Bryn Elissa Mumma, a professor of emergency medicine at UC Davis Health in Sacramento, California.

The term itself is a misnomer because CPR is for someone in cardiac arrest, meaning the heart has stopped beating. At that point, coughing would not be possible, nor would it be considered CPR.

"It physiologically does not make sense," Mumma said. "(Coughing) just would not work to restart a heart that's not beating."

Heart attack and cardiac arrest are medical emergencies requiring immediate medical treatment, though it is important to note they are two different conditions. A heart attack is a circulation problem and occurs when blood flow to the heart is blocked. Cardiac arrest is an electrical problem and occurs when the heart suddenly stops beating. A heart attack is a common cause for cardiac arrest.

Someone who goes into cardiac arrest will become unresponsive and stop breathing or gasp for air. Cardiac arrest can lead to death if not treated within minutes.

Confusion about cough CPR might be traced to a temporary measure that may be used for a sudden arrhythmia, or abnormal heartbeat, in medical settings in which patients are constantly monitored, such as a cardiac catheterization lab, said Dr. Manesh Patel, distinguished professor of medicine and chief of the cardiology division at the Duke University School of Medicine in Durham, North Carolina.

During a sudden arrhythmia, a doctor or nurse may coach a patient to cough vigorously to maintain enough blood flow to the brain to remain conscious for a few seconds until the arrhythmia is treated. But this technique is not effective in all patients and should not delay definitive treatment, according to the American Heart Association.

The misconception about cough CPR and heart attack may be tied to an idea that coughing can change the pressure in the chest, and, in turn, affect the heart, Patel said.

"I think people believe that it is changing, somehow, the heart's squeeze. But (coughing) has not been shown to do that," he added. "If somebody has lost a pulse, we very much know that you have to do CPR."

Mumma, a co-author of the AHA's advanced life support guidelines update in 2023, said a literature review to prepare for that update did not yield any research about cough CPR.

"It's certainly not something that is recommended in those guidelines because there is no evidence to support it," Mumma said.

If you're around someone who has gone into cardiac arrest, call 911 and start hands-only CPR, Mumma said. This means placing the heel of one hand in the center of the chest at the nipple line. Place the other hand on top and interlock the fingers. Start pushing hard at a rate between 100 and 120 beats per minute.

Get an automated external defibrillator, or AED, if one is close by or send someone to find an AED, Mumma said. People should use an AED as soon as it's available. Even untrained people can use the device by following its voice instructions.

Because a heart attack can lead to a cardiac arrest, experts say it's critical to call 911 when symptoms start. These can include chest pain, jaw pain, shortness of breath, sweating and nausea.

Then sit and rest until the ambulance arrives, Mumma said. "Avoid exertion." An aspirin may help for those not allergic to it, she said.

She also said someone with a prescription for nitroglycerin for chest pain should take the medication.

But one thing people don't need to do, both experts said, is cough.

source: https://www.heart.org/en/news/2025/01/22/why-cough-cpr-is-not-the-lifesaver-its-made-out-to-be 

Don't be fooled because it sounds like a good idea or makes sense and please don't reshare it.  If everyone would stop doing that, it could go where other myths go to die.  I'm afraid with social media, we may still be helping to debunk this one long after our careers as CPR instructors are over.

#coughcpr #cpr #cprmyth #heartattack

- Ginger Davis

Heartland CPR, llc

405-603-6666

www.HeartlandCPR.com

 

 

Grateful For Our Customers

During this season, we are especially thankful for our loyal customers and grateful for a team of instructors that represents us so well.  We continue to work to regain ground lost during the COVID19 pandemic and the loss of customers who are no longer held to the gold standard American Heart Association for their training.  More and more we hear that no one is really checking the content or quality of training as long as employees have a card; some are 100% online with no skills requirement, others are outright scams where they're simply selling cards, and many other programs which don't come close to the AHA standard required by nurses and most other health professionals prior to 2020.  Watching the lowering of requirements to accommodate an unprecedented pandemic scenario and shutdowns was necessary...but that emboldened many to believe that if it was acceptable then, why go back to doing things the right way now?  The recent acceptance of this deviation is both disturbing and disappointing.  Would you want a code worked on your family member by providers that took their training online?  Because, at the end of the day, it really is about life and death.  

As a small business, we have never fought harder to regain lost ground.  Our loyal customers continue to tell us that they struggle to find quality training, especially when they aren't employed in a traditional hospital setting which have largely transitioned to the RQI modality which doesn't take into consideration travel nurses or the the outliers in the chain of patient care who very much still need a trusted, quality source for training.  If small training centers continue to be forced out by behemoth programs like RQI and cheap, poor quality online training, who will remain with expertise and a passion for education those who seek something better?  

In October Heartland CPR celebrated 21 years in business. Since 2003, Heartland CPR lIc (formerly Custom Training Solutions) has been providing AHA training in CPR First Aid and AED use, BLS (Basic Life Support) Provider, ACLS (Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support), and PALS (Pediatric Advanced Life Support). At the request of our customers, a decade ago we began selling several affordable quality brands of AEDs as well as adding a variety of well stocked first aid kits and emergency supplies like the LifeVac anti choking device and the CPR Wrap. We introduced our "STAT Program" allowing healthcare professionals to obtain or renew certifications in multiple disciples in a couple of days using sequential scheduling, discount packages, and by partnering with a nearby luxury hotel that offers a corporate rate to our customers; we also added The PET Project (Pet Emergency Training) to our class lineup, teaching First Aid and CPR for four legged family members. As we grew, we added support staff assisting our customers during 10-4 business hours in addition to our team of instructors teaching varied shifts virtually 24/7: additionally we began offering a free First Aid + CPR class using our equipment and expertise to teach life-saving skills to those wishing to learn for their own peace of mind but not in need of an official costly AHA certification; this is offered each summer during CPR Week. We were the first in this region to transition to ecards eliminating lost/ damaged cards which are costly to replace.  We relocated to our final brick and mortar "home" near NW 122nd and MacArthur and our customers tell us they love to just walk around and look at our antique medical displays that rivals most museum. 

We truly believe that doing what everyone else does doesn't produce superior results, so we set out from the beginning and continue to do things differently than the rest from our straight-forward, all inclusive pricing and issuing immediate certifications to how we go about selecting the instructors that represent us.  What began as a small home business with husband and wife instructors is now a registered small woman-owned business with an A+ rating which has been recognized by the BBB as a Torch Award winner for the small business category in the OKC area and has received multiple Best of OKC awards. We have hundreds of positive reviews on virtually every online forum and social media platform averaging 4.9 or better across all channels. Heartland CPR's owner, Ginger Davis participated in the SBA's Emerging Leaders program in 2017, while her husband Brian was named a "Dinosaur of EMS" for longevity in the metro EMS system during his near 40 year career. We continue to add outstanding instructors to our team based on character traits that embody Heartland CPR's mission and vision and we are proud to retain some of the most respected professionals in their fields who have been saving lives for decades and, together as a group, boast of combined training and instruction expertise of over a century!

We invite you to visit our website www.HeartlandCPR.com to learn more or contact us to schedule the next training session for your group or inquire about adding a life-saving AED to your business church, club, organization, or home. We sincerely appreciate the trust you've placed in us and thank you for your continued support. It has been our sincere pleasure to be your choice for American Heart Association related training and life-saving equipment and emergency supplies. Whether we provide training at your location or you refer individuals to classes held at ours, please know that you have played a part in our growth and success. There is perhaps no better time to say a heartfelt "thank you" to each of you than during this holiday season as we reflect on the blessings we have been entrusted with. Wishing you a very Merry Christmas and a prosperous year ahead.

- Ginger Davis
Heartland CPR, llc
405-603-6666
www.HeartlandCPR.com

Does Quality Training Matter?

Is your staff receiving the gold standard American Heart Association CPR training or is it acceptable to take anything…even a 100% online class…just as long as there’s something in each personnel file?  We’re hearing more and more since COVID disrupted operations that no one is really checking that and they don’t really care what you have in many clinics as long as you have something.  Many of those employees end up here saying they just can’t in good conscience take BLS, ACLS and PALS online or from one of the other pop-up bargain companies teaching out of the trunk of their car with old manikins and worn out equipment.  Would you want someone who trained online doing CPR on your family member?  Most would be horrified at the thought, as we are.

Introducing Heartland CPR.  We’re not new, though.  We’ve been teaching the gold standard AHA training for 21+ years in the state of Oklahoma now…but this new mentality of not caring where employees training came from combined with today’s economy is forcing small businesses, and specifically training centers like ours, out of the market.  When that happens, what will be left for those seeking quality life-saving training?  RQI, a system where you interact only with a manikin and can’t ask questions?  What about those that don’t even have access to that $65K piece of equipment because they aren’t directly employed by a hospital?

 

We offer a full schedule of AHA classes at our brick and mortar location near NW 122nd and MacArthur for those that have to find training independently, but we can gladly come to your location training your team together - the way they would respond to such an emergency - when you can meet a minimum number of participants (8 within the metro area, higher minimums apply statewide).  Our team of instructors is hands-down the best group of professional instructors ever assembled ad is made up of Paramedics, PAs, RTs, nurses and other healthcare professionals.  We also have a support staff manning the office to help you schedule, answer questions, order an AED or other emergency supplies, or help locate their certification in a year or two when they’ve forgotten where to access digital eCards; you don’t get that with the here-today, gone-tomorrow options that are popping up nowadays.  We are also the only local training center that offers all-inclusive pricing…which means no surprises like finding and paying out of pocket for your (mandatory) textbook and crossing your fingers that it’s the current version or the even less-welcome news that it costs additional for certification proof of your training after the fact.  We offer one stop and one price that includes all those important elements that are often left out when competitors want their pricing to appear more appealing.  We aren’t the cheapest out there and for good reason.  Take a look at our reviews over two decades and it is obvious that we are the uncompromising quality choice for life-saving training in Oklahoma.  

 

We pass out window clings and identifying stickers for your clinic and we promote your practice via social media when you train with us, advertising your staff as the best of the best, held to the highest standards in the industry, and backed by the full support of the American Heart Association should the unthinkable occur.  Are you ready to bring your training up to the gold standard?  Be proud of accepting nothing less and promote that to your patients and their families.  Thank you for considering Heartland CPR for your next certification training. 

#aha #bls #acls #pals #americanheartassociation

- Ginger Davis

Heartland CPR, llc

405-603-6666

www.HeartlandCPR.com

The History of Show Globes: Colorful Cues for Community Health

 

When you walk past a vintage pharmacy, one of the most captivating features is often the show globe. These beautiful glass orbs, filled with vibrant liquids, are more than just decorative items; they played a crucial role in communicating important health information to the community. Let’s dive into the fascinating history of show globes and their function as visual cues for prevalent diseases.

A Window to Community Health

Show globes, also known as pharmacy globes or apothecary globes, emerged in the late 19th century, a time when pharmacies were central to healthcare in communities. Unlike today, when medical information is easily accessible, pharmacists used these striking orbs to signal to the public about the health landscape.

The colors of the liquids inside the globes conveyed specific messages. For instance:

•  Green might indicate that flu was on the rise.
• Blue often signaled the presence of smallpox
•  Red could represent more severe diseases like scarlet fever.

In a time when medical knowledge was still developing, show globes served as a bridge between pharmacists and the community. They transformed complex medical information into easily digestible visuals. By simply glancing at the pharmacy’s show globe, community members could gauge the health risks around them and make informed decisions about their well-being.

This simple yet effective visual communication allowed community members to quickly understand the health risks they might face, encouraging them to take precautions or seek remedies.

The Art and Craft of Show Globes

Creating a show globe was both an art and a science. Skilled artisans crafted these unique pieces using glass-blowing techniques, giving each globe its own personality. The colors and designs were not random; they were intentionally chosen to convey health information effectively.

The dynamic colors caught the eyes of passersby, prompting them to stop and take notice. This combination of artistry and functionality made show globes a vital part of the pharmacy’s role in public health.

A Nostalgic Remnant of a Bygone Era

While the use of show globes has diminished in modern pharmacies, they remain cherished artifacts of a time when visual cues were essential for public health communication. Today, many vintage show globes can be found in homes, cafes, and antique shops, serving as reminders of the creativity and resourcefulness of pharmacists in the past.

A Fun Fact!

Some show globes were designed to bubble and swirl, captivating the imagination of those who looked at them. This added an element of intrigue, making the pharmacy not just a place to get medication, but a space filled with wonder and curiosity!

The history of Show Globes is a vibrant chapter in the story of pharmacy, showcasing their crucial role in informing communities about health risks. Next time you see a colorful show globe, take a moment to appreciate the important messages it once conveyed. It’s a beautiful reminder of how creativity and care can come together to enhance public health!

#antiques #medical #pharmaceuticals #pharmacist #showglobes

- Chelsea Hixson
Heartland CPR, llc
405-603-6666
www.HeartlandCPR.com

Discounts, Discounts, Discounts!

Are you someone who gets up at the crack of dawn to participate in Black Friday insanity?  Do you prefer to support Small Business Saturday?  Maybe you choose to wait for Cyber Monday?  However you choose to "holiday" this year, we hope you'll think of life-saving training and devices as the gifts that keep on giving "life" to your loved ones.  What other gift literally has the ability to save and extend the life of a loved one?

No matter which day you choose between now and the end of December, use the code 5OFF for a discount on all training we offer as well as any items we stock!  This includes a variety of First Aid kits (including one that's pet specific for all the animal lovers on your list), emergency supplies like the popular LifeVac anti-choking devices and CPR Wraps, cool tee-shirts that show off their skills, or go all out and get an AED for your parents, grandparents, or social club.  Maybe you prefer to purchase the healthcare provider in your life a gift certificate and let the recipient choose the class they prefer?  Contact us and we can issue a gift certificate for 5% less than its face value.  You can't go wrong with this deal...and you aren't even required to observe a particular holiday...we'll help you out for the rest of the year!

#cpr #firstaid #discount #training #firstaidkits #lifevac #cprwrap #giftcertificate

- Ginger Davis
Heartland CPR, llc
405-603-6666
www.HeartlandCPR.com

Heartland CPR is a Woman Owned Small Business

After making the monumental mistake of letting our certification lapse, we are proud to announce that Heartland CPR has finally gotten both the State of Oklahoma WOSB certification as well as the Federal Government (SAM) Contracting WOSB certification with the Small Business Association (SBA).  These are both very long processes and we have been working toward regaining that for the past 13 months, but are happy to report that it's finally been approved!  

If you work for a government entity or an employer that benefits from using certified businesses, we would love to be your source for CPR training or sell you an AED for your place of business.  Reach out to us today!

#wosb #womanowned #smallbusiness #womanownedsmallbusiness #stateofoklahoma #wosbcertified

- Ginger Davis
Heartland CPR, llc
405-603-6666
www.HeartlandCPR.com

Heartland CPR is a Vendor Partner for DHS's DDSD Program

If your family is a beneficiary of the State of Oklahoma DHS's DDSD self-directed services for the care of a disabled client in your home, one of the initial requirements for caretakers is the need for First Aid and CPR training.  We entered into an agreement with the state in 2023 to receive payments directly from the program's payment processor, Acumen.  If you've been directing care for a number of years, this may be something you're well-versed in...but new families who are coming of the waitlist have a number of hurdles that must be cleared to get to that point.  We're here to help and have been involved in meetings with DHS and Acumen management as they work to get the system working in a more streamlined manner.

We are willing to wait for payment for our services from Acumen, which currently can take weeks or months, but we still allow participants of the program to go through their training with us.  We provide the necessary documents and instructions to each participant and the EOR (the parent overseeing the care of the client) to get the training paid for by the third party, Acumen, from fund allocated by the state.  

If this program is something your family member is enrolled in and receiving services, we hope you'll think of us first when it's time to get or renew your Heartsaver First Aid + CPR training.  When you call to register for training in one of our classes, just let us know the information for the client, EOR and DHS Case Manager assigned and we'll take it from there.  If you still have questions, reach out and perhaps we can help.

#dhs #ddsd #selfdirectedservices #firstaid #cpr

- Ginger Davis
Heartland CPR, llc
405-603-6666
www.HeartlandCPR.com

New Tools

We are happy to announce the roll out the latest tools to make studying for ACLS and PALS easier and more organized.  With the help of our amazing instructors, we've developed study guides for these more complicated disciplines.  By linking them on the reservation the participant receives, they can access these tools 24/7, print them off, make notes on them, etc.  The same paperwork will be used in class to give participants an up close look at what's being discussed and shown on the screen/monitor.

Come experience the Heartland CPR difference!

#acls #pals #rhythmrecognition #smallbusiness #cpr #aha

- Ginger Davis
Heartland CPR, llc
405-603-6666
www.HeartlandCPR.com 

Cardiac Arrest Management 101

One of the direst calls we respond to in the EMS world is the patient who is not breathing and is without a pulse. During the management of the call, it is imperative that first responders remain in control both internally and externally to defeat the opponent, in this case death.  During a cardiac arrest, a tempo or pace is dictated by the condition of the patient and the reaction of the resuscitation team.  Tempo can be described both as positive and negative in nature.  Negative tempo is demonstrated by the pulseless patient as in length of downtime, a lack of bystander CPR, the buildup of lactic acid, and the deoxygenation of primary organ systems.  Positive tempo is demonstrated in early chest compressions and/or defibrillation, the establishment of a formal CPR team approach, a solid foundation of BLS followed by solid ALS care.   

What does tempo look like during an arrest?  If we were honest with ourselves, we have all participated in the cardiac arrest where CPR may have been inefficient, drugs may have been late, and skills may have not been performed in a timely manner for a plethora of reasons.  In this case a negative tempo was created and allowed to infiltrate the entire response effort.  In contrast we have participated in resuscitations where we set ourselves and the patient up for success with our training, experience, teamwork, poise, and time management to overcome death.  Regardless of the outcome of the patient, we knew we had provided the best care possible giving the patient every chance of survival.  

What are the factors that separate a good resuscitation from a less than stellar attempt?  Our success during a cardiac arrest is not happenstance, but is the byproduct of good team management, communication, knowledge, and training.  Ever notice there is never time to do something initially, so you cut a corner only to realize there is always time to go back to fix things?  A good team leader is poised, efficient, and methodical while keeping their emotions in check, sometimes defined as emotional intelligence.  A good team leader can recognize when a code is headed south and stop the “snowball from running downhill.”  During an emergency time will compress or in some instances even stretch.  Efficient team management includes the following:

• ·       Early and effective CPR and or defibrillation
• ·       Use of a metronome, chest compressions rate of 100-120 beats per minute (per AHA)
• ·       No interruption of chest compressions greater than 10 seconds
• ·       Ensuring slow and methodical ventilations without hyperventilation
• ·       Switching chest compressors every 2 minutes
• ·       Good treatment communication with all team members
• ·       Successful IV and advanced airways to include capnography
• ·       Timely and appropriate medication administration
• ·       Time management
• ·       Appropriate post resuscitation care

Each member of a resuscitation team is responsible for their contribution, creating a positive tempo during the management of the patient.  During resuscitation it is imperative each member remains calm and poised to stay on point with the care being provided.  Calmly speaking and relying on our cumulative experiences, knowledge and training begins long before you arrive at the patient’s side.  It is everyone’s duty to provide the most efficient resuscitation attempt and to ensure best practices in cardiac resuscitation.  By following these simple steps, you will give each patient the best chance of survival each and every time.

- Brian Davis
Heartland CPR, llc
405-603-6666
www.HeartlandCPR.com