Archive for the ‘Red Cross Cpr’ Category

How to Become a Firefighter – Standing Out From the Competition

Firefighting has become such a popular career there is almost always a number of candidates for the few positions available. In fact, many of those whose goal is to become a firefighter have found that they need to look for positions on a nationwide basis and be willing to relocate, even to distant cities.

For that matter, we know some firefighters, who have tried three or four different times in different municipalities, before getting hired.

What all this means is that for you to be a successful candidate, you must find ways to stand out from the crowd. There are certifications you can get that can help you do just this and to win that dream job.

In fact, some experts say that in order to win that coveted badge, you should have all or most of the following:

1. EMT certificate

2. Paramedic license

3. EMT experience on an ambulance or in a hospital either full-time or part-time. This is because in most jurisdictions, firefighters respond to about 60% of the emergency medical service calls. Can you imagine your fire department hiring someone with no EMT experience?

4. CPR for the Professional Rescuer (American Red Cross) or CPR Healthcare Provider.

5. Firefighter 1 Academy Certificate and/or Firefighter 1 State Certification.

6. Specialized training certificates These can be training in Public Education, Fire Prevention, Fire Investigation, Auto Extraction, Rescue Systems, Swift Water Rescue, Hazardous Materials First Responder, etc.

Volunteer experience

In addition, it is good to have volunteer experience. Many counties and small municipalities use volunteer firefighters and this is a great way to get experience. You might also contact your local fire department to see if it uses volunteers in non-firefighting capacities, such as administration, hazmat training, fire prevention, et cetera.

Bilingual ability

Many jurisdictions now give preference to those who are bilingual. The most common second language is, of course, Spanish. However if your second language is something such as Russian, you would most likely stand out from many other candidates.

Memberships and affiliations.

If you are serious about becoming a firefighter, don’t wait. Start getting involved in the fire service. One good way to do this is to join those organizations that can teach you what is required to be a firefighter and how to be an excellent one. This includes associations such as:

- State firefighters Association

- International Assoc.of Arson Investigators

- National Fire Protection Association

- National Association of EMTs

It is also good to have an ambulance driver’s license and you should have a clean driver’s license.

Of course, the best way to stand out as a firefighting candidate is by scoring very high in the written examination. This exam typically takes 3 1/2 hours and consists of 100 or more questions that are often divided into seven different types.

1. Recalling, visualizing, and spatial orientation questions.

2. Reading and verbal/listening comprehension questions

3. Questions on understanding and applying basic mathematics and science

4. Questions relating to tools and equipment

5. Questions about dealing with people

6. Questions relating to mechanical devices

7. Questions that test judgment and reasoning

The only real way to score high on your written examination is by getting a book on firefighter exams and studying it extensively. There are several of these books available via the Internet, and if you are willing to settle for a used copy, they are very inexpensive. The experts on this subject say that you must study for this exam every bit as hard – if not harder – then you would for an important final college exam. In fact, you literally cannot spend too much time studying for this exam.

You can stand out from the crowd and you can win that coveted badge. It just takes a lot of hard work and preparation.

Guide To Red Cross First Aid Training

The Red Cross is a major medical association, which conducts many first aid courses for professionals and non-professionals alike. You can get a Red Cross first aid training certification during this summer vacation and be a helpful hand in need.

Enrolling For A First Aid Course

Red Cross first aid training courses can be in many different fields such as CPR, Industrial Accidents first aid training and so on. Depending on what your requirements are you can find a course with the Red Cross. Today, many jobs require you have a basic first aid training to be hired such as, crew members and flight attendants who need to have a first aid certification in order to get on board and that is because they all need to be able to provide a helping hand in case of any emergency.

Red Cross first aid training courses can take couple of weeks or a few months depending on the course you choose however, they are recognized worldwide and are extremely intense. You can also apply for an online Red Cross first aid training course should you not have the time to spend in traditional class courses.

Online courses are recognized as well but they usually will take longer than the traditional ones as you will only access them when you have time; some the exams will have to be conducted in local hospitals or clinics close to you but not online. Online courses are as competitive as the traditional ones just that you will complete them from the comfort of your home.

Online Red Cross first aid training have special forums which you will be able to access whenever you choose, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week; you will also be able to chat with fellow students and professors as well when they are available.

Helpful Tip

Red Cross first aid training is highly recommended to everyone who wants to acquire the knowledge and expertise of being able to assist with saving a life in the time of need. First aid alone has saved millions of people as sometimes a few minutes counts before you can get professional help.

Many attend first aid training just because they have an ailing family member and they want to be prepared in case of an emergency. Heart attack alone can kill or complete matters ten folds if first aid if not being given in the first couple of minutes of the stroke or is the first aid id being given wrong.

Learn to save lives today and enroll in a Red Cross first aid training course. You will be able to understand your body better and those of others as well thus, leading a better richer life in the process.

Public Access Defibrillators

A defibrillator (AED) can save lives when sudden cardiac arrest due to arrhythmia (an abnormal electrical signal in the heart). Symptoms of cardiac arrest are chest pain or loss of consciousness. The AED restores the heart’s normal electrical signal…if the heart is not defibrillated in 3 minutes or less death or serious incapacitation will occur.

Because one of the main causes of death in the United States is cardiovascular disease; more and more businesses and employers are installing AED’s and AED programs in the work place to add to their business’s emergency medical readiness, practices and programs. AEDs will save lives that why AED certification is the necessary for rescuers.

Getting training and certification in the proper use of automated external defibrillators is inexpensive and available to anyone. AED training is similar to CPR training. AED/CPR training and certification are taught together in the class at the same time.

AED/CPR training and certifications are offered by The American Heart Association, The American Red Cross, The American Safety and Health Institute as well as AED manufacturers like Medtronic Physio-Control (LifePak) and Cardiac Science (PowerHeart)…all offer AED/CPR training classes to business, non-profits and commercial organizations.

For residences AED/CPR training is done in homes using a DVD without a facilitator. Residences don’t get (or need) AED/CPR certification. Certification only occurs when a training class is paired with a national AED/CPR certifying organization’s skills evaluation methodology. Scheduling AED/CPR training class is easy when ordered from a full service automated external defibrillator distributor.

During sudden cardiac arrest, your brain and other vital organs are being starved of blood and oxygen which carries live saving nutrients. You can die in minutes and/or survive but sustain permanent damage to your brain and other organs. The heart’s rhythm must be restored fast since every minute that passes

is critical to your chance of survival and the amount of damage you sustain.

When the electrodes or pads of automated external defibrillator capable of automatic operation are attached to your chest, these electrodes can detect the heart’s rhythm during cardiac arrest and automatically delivers an electric shock to get your heart beating again.

Sudden cardiac arrest happens when your heart’s electrical activity is disrupted and the heartbeat gets dangerously fast (ventricular tachycardia) or chaotic (ventricular fibrillation). Your heart stops beating effectively and does not adequately pump blood because of these irregular heart rhythms

(arrhythmia).

A non trained bystander that acts quickly and calls 911 to summon emergency medical services to the scene before using the AED can then grab an “automatic operation” defibrillator with voice prompts and easily connect it to your chest to allow the AED to evaluate your heart rhythm. If your heart rhythm can be

treated with an electric shock, the AED automatically sends an electrical shock to get your heart back into a normal rhythm.

Only defibrillation can restore the heart’s normal rhythm and ultimately save your life although cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is important to use to keep some blood flowing to your heart and brain.

Automated external defibrillators are now commonly available in businesses, residences, homes, malls, office buildings, sports arenas, golf courses, cruise ships, schools, casinos, airports and airplanes any many, many public locations governed by various state public access defibrillation laws.

Placing an automated external defibrillator in homes is rapidly increasing because you don’t lose valuable minutes waiting for 911 to arrive with an AED. In an emergency, the automated external defibrillator offers step-by-step voice instructions to guide a user through the defibrillation process. The defibrillator explains how to check for breathing and a pulse and how to position electrode pads on the person’s chest.

Once the pads are in place, the AED automatically analyzes the person’s heart rhythm and determines if a shock is needed. The machine instructs the user to push a button to deliver the shock and guides users through cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).

Putting automated external defibrillators in business and homes which definition are populated by lots of people can save thousands of lives each year. If anyone collapses from sudden cardiac arrest in a home or business, a family member, friend or fellow employee could quickly grab the office or home AED and

use it to save a life.

If you decide to get an automated external defibrillator for your home or office, take an AED/CPR training class certified by nationally recognized organizations and make sure you follow the training video, operating and maintenance instructions provided by manufacturer.