Resources for you! In and out of health and safety classes such as CPR, First Aid, and BLS. 

As an American Heart Association (AHA) Instructor I absolutely enjoy perusing the AHA website at HEART.ORG. There is a wealth of information on their site as well as links to other valuable relevant life saving information such as the American Stroke Association and more.  Please be sure to invest your time in fully reading your student workbook and reading the great articles and current information on the AHA website. You can also find some amazing and even funny AHA videos on YouTube! 

Did you know that AHA has apps for your phone? They do! http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/CPRAndECC/CommunityCPRandFirstAid/CommunityProducts/Apps---Pocket-First-Aid-CPR_UCM_308819_Article.jsp 

While I recommend that you do keep your information, skills and resources fresh and current, I'm not trying to sell you anything, but I do recommend that you find resources that are right for your lifestyle. 

Here is a great link to help you find current student workbooks: 
http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/CPRAndECC/FindaCPRClass/Distributors-BuyProducts/Distributors---Buy-Products_UCM_001366_SubHomePage.jsp

Here are some tips and suggestions to help you stay a strong and valuable life saver, and to do well in and out of the CPR class.  

• Keep your certification current: This helps your skills, practice and knowledge stay fresh and up to date. 
• While certification is required every two years, it is very wise to take a refresher course each year. Some instructors or training sites offer a discount if you do not need to skills test or receive your certification card. Mystic Lotus Health Safety Success does offer a discount for those just wanting to refresh by practicing and observing a class. 
• Stay fit! Eat healthy, drink plenty of water, exercise and stretch regularly.
• Each month set study goals. Watch a video, read an article or simple look around at what's new on the AHA website, and read blogs such as mine. SMILE. 
• Make sure you are taking care of yourself! Nutrition, fitness, sleep, relaxation, FUN, time with loved ones, 
• During class: bring water to stay hydrated. Eat healthy that day to stay focused and to go easy on your body as you will be actively doing compression which can be quite a work out. 
•  Before class be mindful that you are going to class: Please do not wear perfume, cologne or fragrances that others may be allergic too. Remember that you will be in close proximity to other students.
• Please no lipstick or chap stick.
• It may be best to remove jewelry to prevent injury to yourself, other students or damage to the manikins.    
• Dress comfortably and in layers as you will be bending and leaning over manikins and giving compressions and breaths.   
• If you should ever need to perform CPR remember to push hard and fast (at least 2 inches), allow full recoil and go as long as you can or until EMS arrives. 30 compressions, 2 breaths, repeat. 
• Switch every 5 cycles of 30 compressions if you have another trained person there to assist you. 
• Be confident and calm. Doing CPR does not guarantee the outcome we desire, but it sure gives that person a far greater chance than doing nothing. 
• Your life saving skills are needed and YOU make a difference! Do your best and you will be great! 
• We can only do the best we can with what we know... this is why staying currently certified and keeping your skills and study fresh and up to date will keep you doing your best and improving what your best is that you have to offer. 

                                        HAPPY LEARNING. HAPPY LIVING.


This blog was written by Jody Gonzalez of Mystic Lotus Health Safety Success (www.mysticlotus.us) and was not written by or endorsed by American Heart Association or affiliates. Please go to the American Heart Association website for AHA specific guidelines and information. 01/07/2015