For those of you that have CCW, are you certified by the AHA for CPR and AED?

[Caeser2001]

So you have your CCW and ready to defend yourselves, family and possibly others against immediate threat to bodily harm and/or prepared as can be to take a life. How about to save a life?

[01Apache]

IMHO, this should not be overlooked if one truely wants to be prepared for any emergency situation.

[hoytinak]

I've got my EMT-intermediate certification by DSHS in Texas. ;) One day I might go back and get my full paramedic certification.

[sflsun]

Certified instructor for cpr/aed adult and child. Certified instructor for first aid and bloodborne pathogens. I am with the Am. Red Cross though and not AHA.

[Hkmp5sd]

Yep. Even certified to don the Hazmat suit and FEMA Incident Command trained.

[rampage841512]

You don't have to be certified to know how to perform CPR. I was trained by a former Marine turned paramedic while in the Boy Scouts. And I've kept up to date about the changing procedures. But I've never been certified by any group or organization (except that I passed the required CPR test/demonstration required to earn my First Aid merit badge).

It's hardly a complicated process, but as with all emergency situations: If you don't feel confident in performing the required action to save a life, don't. If you feel you'd be placing your life in unreasonable danger by performing the required action to save another, don't.

Of course, those are rules of thumb. Each individual must make their own decisions based on the circumstances that they are faced with. I don't push certification, but I encourage anyone to learn useful skills. Basic first aid is one of those, IMHO.

[#20fan]

First Aid, BBP, CPR, AED adult and child.
Most important though I'm cell phone to 911 trained.;)

[Charles S]

How about to save a life?

I am adequately prepared.

[Hkmp5sd]

I don't push certification, but I encourage anyone to learn useful skills.

One reason for certification is to protect yourself against lawsuits.

[pax]

One reason for certification is to protect yourself against lawsuits.

Other way around, actually. When you are certified, you are legally held to a higher standard of care. Those who are not certified are generally better protected by the Good Samaritan laws (assuming your state has one).

pax

[Hkmp5sd]

However, as long as you do not violate your training, your certifying agency will help defend you.

[Stevie-Ray]

Other way around, actually. When you are certified, you are legally held to a higher standard of care. Those who are not certified are generally better protected by the Good Samaritan laws (assuming your state has one).Right, and this is why I have let my certifications lapse. I had to have them when I was active fire brigade and ERT for my company, including CPR, AED, emergency first-aid, and HazMat. Since I have retired I have let all lapse. We were always warned about doing nothing and possible lawsuits in the offing. Doing nothing, unfortunately, is sometimes the best course of action, once you know about blood-borne pathogens, but you know nothing about the victim.

[BikerRN]

I'm a Red Cross Instructor for Healthcare Providers, and I'm a LEO.
I "nursed" a motorcycle once or twice though. :D

Biker

[Caeser2001]

One reason for certification is to protect yourself against lawsuits.

that's what I thought, although it probably varies in which state you reside and their laws.

[nemoaz]

However, as long as you do not violate your training, your certifying agency will help defend you.Link? I've seen thousands of lawsuits about CPR or ACLS related care but never heard of AHA or ARC defending anyone.

[Creature]

AHA CPR trained through the Navy (not AED trained though),...

But as #20fan put it, I am:


cell phone to 911 trained as well.

But if you ask me, you phrased the question incorrectly. I am prepared to take a life to save a life.

[bestbod85]

yep, cpr, AED, first-aid and emergency response

[Charles S]

I've seen thousands of lawsuits about CPR or ACLS related care

Link please? Thousands....

... but never heard of the AHA or ARC defending anyone

They don't have to....

There has never been a single successful law suite related to CPR (AHA, 2004).

http://www.momsteam.com/alpha/features/cardiac_awareness_center/good_samaritan_laws.shtml

As long as you do not practice beyond your training, certification will protect you.

[Dean C]

Absolutely certified. Due for recert in a couple weeks.
All of my family is too.

98% of the company I work for is CPR/AED certified.
I've been the recipient of results of the training.

I had a cardiac arrest at work in 2006. Quick action by my collogues and the use of the AED and I regained my pulse but not consciousness. Rapid action by the local EMS and I was at the hospital in the cath. lab and also put into induced hypothermia. Three days later, they brought me out of the coma and supposedly there was no heart or brain damage. The cardiologist has proven the lack of heart damage but don't ask my collogues about the brain damage. Apparently the jury is still out on that one.:rolleyes:
By the way, the company I work for makes the AED's that saved my life.:D
Lets hear it for LifePaks and training.
dean

[Dewhitewolf]

The only times I have ever heard of successful lawsuits against individuals who performed CPR on an individual were incidents where the rescuers did not follow protocol. Even the few lawsuits that were successful did not result in the court award a mega-lottery ruling against the defendant. And I live in NJ, the most litigious state in the country!

[teeroux]

yep every two years i get recertified for work.

[funon1]

BLS and ACLS are job reqs anyway.

Funon1

[fisherman66]

I'm a certified AHA CPR instructor. I've only done a couple HealthCareProvider classes, but I do the layman class almost every week.

[jfrey123]

Boy Scouts and JROTC both had me with CPR (including infant) and Basic First Aid (not sure what AED is... :confused:) Certs are expired, but the knowledge is still here.

[fisherman66]

AED

Automated External Defibrillator

not all are external
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Defibrillator

[DMacLeod]

Are we talking treatment for the BG you may have just pierced or a loved one? If a BG, I'd do nothing as he would have started the altercation. If a family member, I'd do anything I had to.

My certifications for CPR and first responder expired a few years back. Would I be prepared, the answer is yes.

[nemoaz]

I've seen thousands of lawsuits about CPR or ACLS related care
Link please? Thousands....

Quote:
... but never heard of the AHA or ARC defending anyone
They don't have to....

There has never been a single successful law suite related to CPR (AHA, 2004).

http://www.momsteam.com/alpha/featur...tan_laws.shtml

As long as you do not practice beyond your training, certification will protect you.
Uh, yeah, my first job after law school was as a malpractice defense attorney. I had primary responsibility for 300+ cases a year and secondary responsibility for many times that... basically all the files being supervised by my managing partner and assigned to our litigation team.

Still haven't heard of the AHA or ARC defending anyone.

[Charles S]

Still haven't heard of the AHA or ARC defending anyone.


Not really the point....how many cases against people who performed CPR did you see?

How many successful cases did you see?

[schnarrgj]

Take it every two years required for work.

[Rich Miranda]

I am not certified in anything mentioned. It probably would be a good idea.

[Chuck Dye]

When I was an AHA certified instructor it was taken as a given, backed by ample citations, that skills retention is shockingly low. If you don't pay regular visits to Annie, Andy, and the brat, you may not be as prepared as you think.

[fisherman66]

that skills retention is shockingly low

That's the truth. I recert about 250 employees every year (not every 2 years when the certification expires) and even at that accelerated clip I've had a huge percentage give me either totally wrong or really old techniques when asked before the class runs.

[anythingshiny]

ACLS, PALS, CPR, AED..yada yada

I think the good sam laws are state specific and apply mainly to "off the job" coverage.

If I roll up on an MVA and aid, I am not directly held to a higher standard because I am an RN with letters...as long as I do not exceed scope of practice. ABC's etc...I'd get roasted if pushed a cath in for a tension PT or something.

BTW..All of us should have a basic 'save a life' kit with your shooting bag. The guys at Tactical Response call it a VOK "ventilated operator kit". A wad of kerlex, ABD pad, H dsg and an occlusive dsg...those kind of things, keep em alive til the wagon arrives kind of thing. Good idea for all us to keep in mind.

be safe.

[Deaf Smith]

I'm a member of my company's ERT team. CPR, First aid, and AED trained among many other things.

[funon1]

I believe in the RKBA for the protection of innocent life. So why would one not take a day a year (more or less depending on level of certification) and update your skills and card. It allows you to keep up with changes (and it is changing) and assist fellow citizens and your loved ones in an emergency.

Again, it is the Same reason to be trained in firearms. Not to mention, we are all human, and potentially vulnerable. I would much rather do unto others and know they can and will return the favor, than have my buddies or coworkers clueless. 911 does not always work. Natural disasters happen. I think its all part of being a responsible citizen and family member.

I have provided aid at least a dozen times and never been sued, much less lost anything. Besides the protection of Good Samaritan Acts many people are thankful to get the help so they don't sue. Perhaps there is still hope for this world.

Oh, I second the emergency response kit idea. I keep em in the car and a smaller version at the range. I have used em many many times and think they are worth every penny But I tailor my own to my skills and budget. It still beats some of the cheapo ready made packs, but like firearms, having one is the first rule....

Funon1

[Dewhitewolf]

I would like to know where the myth comes from that if you're not certified, you can't be sued.

[novaDAK]

When I was in HS I got certified in CPR and PALS

never got recertified since then though.

[ws6_keith]

Trained through PADI scuba organization. I'm prepared.

[kayakersteve]

I am certified in ACLS, PALS and ATLS (advanced trauma Life Support) - The last one is what will save you when you have been around someone that has experienced a trauma from a shooting. Being trained in all of these and actually using them in a rural ER, I would likley be held to a higher standard than others and actually feel compelled to treat someone I have injured if that day ever came.

[mikejonestkd]

ARC cert fist aid, CPR, and AED...need it for work and its good to know!!

[jimbob86]

Just finished CPR/AED class last week...... Basic EMT classes begin next month.

[jimbob86]

Would I use an AED on somebody I just ventilated in my house in the dark of night? Yep, and I'd probably giggle when the machine said, "Press.Shock.Button.Now."

[nemoaz]

Not really the point....how many cases against people who performed CPR did you see? How many successful cases did you see? Yeah, we are getting far afield, but I'll make it quick. To be clear, I represented professional clients, physicians, individual nurses, or entities such as hospitals that were legally responsible for the acts of their employees. A very high proportion of the cases involved death and included some resuscitation attempts. Plaintiff's attorneys generally alleged negligence/malpractice generally, meaning without a specific theory as to what occurred that was allegedly malpractice, then tried to develop as many parallel theories of malpractice as possible (developed through their own expert testimony). In other words, almost every case included theories about malpractice occurring during the resuscitation attempt. Success? Most cases resulted in a settlement. Some small, some large. We did however take a relatively high number of cases to trial, and hung a few goose-eggs on the plaintiffs.

Back to the point: AHA or ARC, in my opinion would provide the STANDARD OF CARE in a malpractice case concerning CPR (and ACLS etc). As far as I know, they don't defend anyone in any way. Instead their guidelines would set the legal benchmarks which would be used (in part) to delineate that slippery line above which we call reasonable care and below which we call a breach of reasonable care which could lead to a successful lawsuit against the care provider.

Clear as mud?

[MrNiceGuy]

I was certified... but my cards expired

[Mannlicher]

silly stuff. I am not certifed as a CPA, or a RDH either, and that has no bearing on my carrying a handgun to protect myself and my family. Geez

[Deaf Smith]

Mannlicher,

If one of your loved ones is injured in any altercation you might find that first aid and CPR IS what saves your family. Not to mention a car wreck or other accident.

I keep a very good first aid kit in both of our cars just in case. I didn't take the courses out of compasion to save a bad guy. Others can be hurt to and help may be needed.

[Seeker]

Yep, and so is Son of Seeker

It was a very good "bonding" day:cool:

[fbrown333@suddenlink]

I have been certified for both for years,so I can help em out or take em out:D

[PaulBk]

CPR, first aid, AED, tramau med, SAR, sheltering, and ICS trained and certified. I like to be ready. :)

-Paul

[rickdavis81]

I'm certified in both. I'm part of the Emergency Response Team at the factory I work at.

[Shorts]

As a trainer in the gym, I keep my certs updated. While I'm not in the gym now, I still keep it updated non the less.

[tacticalmedic]

Yes, and then some.

[Don Gwinn]

One of these days I want to get certified as an EMT. For now, I have my CPR/AED certification and drive an ambulance in my spare time (because I have so very much spare time.) :)