Should You Be CPR Certified?

CPR, cardiopulmonary resuscitation, is an emergency procedure used to preserve brain function when someone exhibits abnormal or unresponsive breathing. CPR instructors advise everyone, especially those caring for children, to become certified. When children stop breathing, the risk of brain damage is heightened and chances of survival are lowered. Parents and caregivers can choose a convenient location close to their home and become certified in a day. For those who have already gone through the CPR training class, certification renewal can be done through an online class.

            Certification is important for many reasons, the most primary being that it can save a life. When a CPR necessitated event occurs, people tend to get nervous and panic. If someone is CPR certified, she is prepared to react quickly and calmly. Attempting CPR when not certified can result in injury. Many common mistakes include chest bruising, inadequate breathing, and incorrect timing between breaths and chest pumping. If there is an emergency, call 911, then administer CPR. For those unfamiliar with CPR, finding someone who can perform the procedure or relay the process step by step is the best choice.

            According to CPR training administrators, effective CPR can triple the survival rate of someone in danger. The human body is only made to survive four to six minutes after the heart stops beating. That usually does not give emergency responders time to reach the injured party, which is why effective CPR training is important. For small children whose body organs are not as developed as those of an adult, the response time needs to be expedited. Doctors should advise parents to get certified, followed by parents suggesting caregivers to do the same. A few hours of training could be worth a life.

Spring Has Arrived & Brought Allergies Along For the Trip

Did the polar vortex intensify pollen counts? The answer is yes! Now that winter is over, adults and children are trading in winter coats for tissue boxes because allergy season is in full force. Unfortunately, since this record setting winter was brutally cold, allergy season has arrived earlier and more severe. When trees undergo a wet winter, mold develops causing them to release high amounts of pollen. With high pollen counts in the air throughout the country, and flowers blooming, allergy sufferers are urged to prepare for a rough couple of weeks, and worse, possibly months.

Allergy sufferers begin to notice watery eyes, congestion, runny noses, sinus headaches, and sneezing. Common combat solutions?

             ·         Place air purifiers in the home

             ·         When pollen counts are high, use the air conditioners, keep windows closed

             ·         Shower before bed, remove access pollen off of the body

             ·         Use neti-pots to clear nasal passageways

In addition to using home remedies to fight allergy symptoms, don’t forget to check expiration dates on allergy medication and nasal sprays, and keep a ready stock. There is also a new allergy medication, Oraiair, made up of freeze-dried grass that helps with allergies (ask doctor before use). If over the counter medications don’t work, visit the doctor and let them prescribe a medication based on specific symptoms.