Sudden cardiac arrest is the highest cause of morbidity in Ireland. Partaking in just 4 hours of CPR training offers you the chance to save a persons life.
Who should learn CPR?
Ambulance Industry Training offer CPR courses to all ages of student. We recommend everyone should learn CPR.
Where do we hold our CPR courses?
Ambulance Industry Training offer CPR courses in Dublin Mid Leinster area.
Which course suits you?
Sports Club: Heart Saver CPR and AED Course €70.00pp
Doctor or nursing staff: Healthcare provider CPR and AED Course €80.00pp
Nursing Home Staff: Heart Saver CPR and AED Course €70.00pp
Dental Staff : Healthcare provider CPR and AED Course €80.00pp
Discounts on CPR courses
Discounts are available to groups of students who take part on the day of the course. Please call 0877444999 for your special offer.
Number of students
Minimum of 6 students per course.
Message board:
The 2011 up skilling is taking place. Ambulance Industry Training will be in touch to make sure you receive the latest update.
New AHA 2011 Guidelines - if you require any assistance or advice on applying the new guidelines please call us on 0877444999.
Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is an emergency procedure which is attempted in an effort to return life to a person in cardiac arrest.
It is indicated in those who are unresponsive with not breathing or may only gasp. It may be attempted both in and outside of a hospital.
CPR alone is unlikely to restart the heart; its main purpose is to restore partial flow of oxygenated blood to the brain and heart. It may delay tissue death and extend the brief window of opportunity for a successful resuscitation without permanent brain damage. An administering of an electric shock to the heart with an AED ( Automated External Defibrillator), termed defibrillation, is usually needed to restore a viable or "perfusing" heart rhythm. Defibrillation is only effective for certain heart rhythms. CPR may however induce a shockable rhythm. CPR is generally continued until the person regains return of spontaneous circulation (R Studies have shown the importance of immediate CPR followed by defibrillation within 3–5 minutes of sudden VF cardiac arrest improve survival Of Sudden Cardiac arrest) or is declared dead.
CPR is used on people in cardiac arrest in order to oxygenate the blood and maintain a cardiac output to keep vital organs alive. Blood circulation and oxygenation are required to transport oxygen to the tissues. The brain may sustain damage after blood flow has been stopped for about four minutes and irreversible damage after about seven minutes. Typically if blood flow ceases for one to two hours, the cells of the body die. Because of that CPR is generally only effective if performed within seven minutes of the stoppage of blood flow it is important to start CPR as soon as possible.
Various studies suggest that in out-of-home cardiac arrest, bystanders, lay persons or family members attempt CPR in between 14% and 45% of the time, with a median of 32%. This indicates that around a third of out-of-home arrests have a CPR attempt made on them. However, the effectiveness of this CPR is variable, and the studies suggest only around half of untrained bystander CPR is performed correctly.
Compression Only CPR ( Hands on CPR)
Compression only (hands-only or cardio cerebral resuscitation) CPR is a technique that involves chest compressions without artificial respiration. It is recommended as the method of choice for the untrained rescuer or those who are not proficient as it is easier to perform and instructions are easier to give over the phone. In adults with out-of-hospital cardiac arrest, compression-only CPR by the lay public has a higher success rate than standard CPR. The exceptions are cases of drowning, drug overdose, and arrest in children.. The method of delivering chest compressions remains the same, as does the rate (at least 100 per minute). It is hoped that the use of compression only delivery will increase the chances of the lay public starting CPR.
Defibrillation : AED
Defibrillation is a process in which an electronic device gives an electric shock to the heart. This helps re-establish normal contraction rhythms in a heart having dangerous arrhythmia or in cardiac arrest. In recent years small portable defibrillators have become available. These are called automated external defibrillators or AEDs.
All first aid personnel should be trained in the use of an AED and allowed to use a properly maintained defibrillator if they're likely to respond to cardiac arrest victims. This includes all first-responding emergency personnel, both hospital and non-hospital.
To make early defibrillation possible, a defibrillator must be immediately available to emergency personnel responding to a cardiac arrest. Thus, all emergency ambulances and other emergency vehicles that respond to or transport heart patients will have a defibrillator.
The Irish and American Heart Foundation recommends that AEDs be available wherever large numbers of people congregate. Such places include airports, convention centres, sports stadiums and arenas, large industrial buildings, high-rise offices, large health fitness facilities, etc.
AIT offers a four-hour CPR training course called Heartsaver AED. It covers CPR and AED use. It's for lay rescuers and first responders.
Heart Attack Warning Signs
Some heart attacks are sudden and intense. But most heart attacks start slowly, with mild pain or discomfort. Often people affected aren't sure what's wrong and wait too long before getting help. Here are signs that can mean a heart attack is happening:
Chest discomfort. Most heart attacks involve discomfort in the center of the chest that lasts more than a few minutes, or that goes away and comes back. It can feel like uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness or pain.
Discomfort in other areas of the upper body. Symptoms can include pain or discomfort in one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw or stomach.
Shortness of breath with or without chest discomfort.
Other signs may include breaking out in a cold sweat, nausea or lightheadedness
As with men, women's most common heart attack symptom is chest pain or discomfort. But women are somewhat more likely than men to experience some of the other common symptoms, particularly shortness of breath, nausea/vomiting, and back or jaw pain.
Learn the signs, but remember this: Even if you're not sure it's a heart attack, have it checked out (tell a doctor about your symptoms). Minutes matter! Fast action can save lives — maybe your own. Don’t wait more than five minutes to call 9-9-9 or your emergency response number.
Calling 9-9-9 is almost always the fastest way to get lifesaving treatment. Emergency medical services (EMS) staff can begin treatment when they arrive — up to an hour sooner than if someone gets to the hospital by car. Ambulance staff are also trained to revive someone whose heart has stopped. Patients with chest pain who arrive by ambulance usually receive faster treatment at the hospital, too. It is best to call the Ambulance for rapid transport to the emergency room.
Q: What are the signs of a stroke?
Stroke Warning Signs
If you or someone with you has one or more of these signs, don't delay!
Sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm or leg, especially on one side of the body
Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding
Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes
Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination
Sudden, severe headache with no known cause
Immediately call 9-9-9 or your emergency response number so an ambulance (ideally with advanced life support) can be sent for you. Also, check the time so you'll know when the first symptoms appeared. It's very important to take immediate action. If given within three hours of the start of symptoms, a clot-busting drug can reduce long-term disability for the most common type of stroke. Clot busting medication for the treatment of stroke must be given within three hours of stroke symptom onset.
A TIA, or transient ischemic attack, is a "warning stroke" or "mini-stroke" that produces stroke-like symptoms but no lasting damage. Recognizing and treating TIAs can reduce your risk of a major stroke. The usual TIA symptoms are the same as those of stroke, only temporary. The short duration of these symptoms and lack of permanent brain injury is the main difference between TIA and stroke.
Q: What is a cardiac arrest?
Cardiac arrest strikes immediately and without warning. Here are the signs:
Sudden loss of responsiveness (no response to tapping on shoulders).
No normal breathing (the victim does not take a normal breath when you tilt the head up and check for at least five seconds).
If these signs of cardiac arrest are present, tell someone to call 9-9-9 or your emergency response number and get an AED (if one is available) and you begin CPR immediately.
If you are alone with an adult who has these signs of cardiac arrest, call 9-9-9 and get an AED (if one is available) before you begin CPR.
Use an AED as soon as it arrives.
Q: Why make an Emergency call?
Dial 9-9-9 or 1-1-2 Fast
Heart attack and stroke are life-and-death emergencies — every second counts. If you see or have any of the listed symptoms, immediately call 9-9-9 or your emergency response number. Not all these signs occur in every heart attack or stroke. Sometimes they go away and return. If some occur, get help fast! Today heart attack and stroke victims can benefit from new medications and treatments unavailable to patients in years past. For example, clot-busting drugs can stop some heart attacks and strokes in progress, reducing disability and saving lives. But to be effective, these drugs must be given relatively quickly after heart attack or stroke symptoms first appear. So again, don't delay — get help right away!
Statistics
Coronary heart disease is the No. 1 cause of death in the United States. Stroke is the No. 3 cause of death in the United States and a leading cause of serious disability. That's why it's so important to reduce your risk factors, know the warning signs, and know how to respond quickly and properly if warning signs occur.
Act in Time
The Irish Heart Foundation and the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute have launched a new "Act in Time" campaign to increase people's awareness of heart attack and the importance of calling 9-9-9 immediately at the onset of heart attack and stroke symptoms.
