Just 9 minutes?!

I read this article today, finding it fascinating. 

During class, I always tell my students to "just keep going" as you'll be tired (CPR is exhausting!), or even start to think - what's the point.  Now, looks like the research is confirming what we've been telling students all this time. Press On! 

The article does point out that prolonged resuscitation is not suitable for every case, but "...found that patients have a better chance of surviving in hospitals that persist with CPR for just nine minutes longer, on average, than hospitals where efforts are halted earlier."

Just nine minutes?!?!  Wow. 

Dear Resuscitation Team,
Keep going!

And in even more encouraging news, senior study author, Dr. Nallamothu who's an associate professor at the University of Michigan and a cardiologist at the Ann Arbor VA Medical Center found that "neurological function was similar, regardless of the duration of CPR."

That's always been the main argument against prolonged resuscitation. That the cost outweighs the benefits. Diminished neurological function, lessened quality of life - all valid concerns and still something that should be kept in mind during extended resuscitation efforts. But, perhaps after more medical professionals review this data they'll think twice before ceasing care.

My directorial debut

I'm so excited!

Last Thursday, we shot the video for the new Prestan Professional AED trainer.  What a great learning experience!  It was so cool to see the behind the scenes - to see what it really takes to make, what looks to us, a seamless one-take video.  One take ..ha!  How many times can the talent point to that button?! Or close that lid?!  I admire their patience and perseverance.

We're working with the folks at Jumpstart Video Productions and the voice talent of Theresa Seiders at That's All She Read Voice Overs.  What a great group of professionals. I can't wait to see the finished product, feeling now like a kid on Christmas Eve.

I hope to share the video with you all soon - sometime around the first of December.  We're doing something else rather cool too.  Shooting an introductory video, kind of a,' Hey, check out this new product' thing as well as instructional segments on how to put the unit together, work the buttons and such.  I've been getting quite a few calls lately from customers who want to see it in action.  Patience grasshoppa, patience.

So!  Make sure to stay tuned as I'll be posting the videos soon.

Pocket Mask 101

Feeling intimidated by the new standard in resuscitative care, the pocket mask? If you answered yes, rest easy knowing that you are not alone.

But, there's nothing to fear. A pocket mask employs the same principles as any other resuscitation barrier or mask, it just has the convenience of being re-usable. While the valve you breathe into must be replaced after each use, the mask itself can be cleaned and decontaminated per CDC guidelines. 

When used with the head-tilt, chin-lift airway opening method, the rescue mask allows two avenues of entry during resuscitation.

And with two avenues of entry, each rescue breath delivers life saving oxygen your patient desperately needs. When not connected to an external oxygen source, exhaled air from the rescuer can still provide sufficient oxygen to live, up to 16%. Most masks (including ours) also have a built-in oxygen inlet, allowing for administration of 50-60% oxygen from an oxygen cylinder.

The portability of the mask is an added benefit. In contrast to the bag valve mask, which requires two hands to operate (one to form a seal and the other to squeeze the bag), the pocket mask allows for both of the rescuer's hands to be on the patient's head. This hand placement makes for a superior seal of the mask's pliable bladder to the patient's face, meaning less oxygen escapes from around the mask border and more goes to where it's really needed.

A question I often field is, "How do I know if my mask is still ok to use?" Unfortunately, there's no one size fits all answer. Depending on how the masks are stored, anywhere from one to many years. Best to inspect your equipment on an annual basis. In short, if the mask is still pliable and the air bladder full, it's still a good mask. Look for cracks in the body of the mask. Will the air bladder make a good seal to your patient's face? Is the head strap still stretchy? Is the mask's valve still working? Is it missing altogether? A good question to ask is, "Would I feel confident in providing care with this equipment?" If the answer is anything but a resounding, "Yes!", better to throw it out than risk it failing while responding.

It really is, just that easy! So whether you are instructing students or participating in a CPR class, this is the mask you want. Keep one with your AED, in your car, home, camper - anywhere you might be since you never know when an emergency situation might occur. At least for me, when I carry an umbrella, it never rains. If I forget it, I'm sure to get soaked. It's always better to have the tools and not need them, than to need the tools and not have them.

Now that you see there's nothing to fear, click here to shop our store for 100% latex-free CPR pocket masks. Be Ready with the Right Tools!

This month's featured product is the AED Practi-TRAINER!

 CPR, while an integral and crucial component of the resuscitation process, often isn't enough to convert your patient's heartbeat to an effective rhythm. Dramatically increase survivability rates of your patient during a cardiac emergency by performing CPR in conjunction with the use of an AED.
Early defibrillation is a critical component to master in the cardiac chain of survival.

An introduction, even a brief one, coupled with training increases bystander confidence and improves performance in AED usage. Equip yourself and your staff to increase survivability rates for persons in sudden cardiac arrest knowing that no device other than a defibrillator has consistently improved long-term survival from out-of-hospital cardiac arrest.

WNL's Universal AED Practi-TRAINER has been completely updated and features many functional improvements from their last version. They gathered feedback from customers, worked with both a designer and a manufacturer to produce an incredible product. Fully compliant with the new 2010 ECC CPR guidelines, this AED training unit includes a replaceable scenario/language module - making it the most unique and cost effective unit on the market today.

As an instructor, a few of the features I love include the built-in metronome with audible tones and a flashing light to help students time their compressions to 100 per minute. The clear voice prompts, even when the unit is at low volume, guide students through each step of the defibrillation process. As for the training pads, they conform perfectly to the torso and leave no sticky residue on my Prestan CPR manikins!

With training comes confidence. Participants will actively embrace both their and the AED's role in the cardiac chain of survival. And that confidence is what saves lives.

Worried that when ECC guidelines are updated, you'll need to buy an entirely new unit or send it out for costly re-programming? Not with this model – to upgrade to the newest guidelines all you have to do is replace the inexpensive plug-in firmware module!

The AED training package includes:

• 1 complete unit with 8 English and Spanish pre-programmed scenarios installed
• 1 remote control
• 1 power adapter
• 1 set of child pads and connector
• 1 set of adult pads and connector
• 1 manual
• Zippered, nylon-lined, fabric carrying case with handle

Dimensions of the unit are 7.5" x 6" x 1.75"
Carrying case dimensions are 11" x 8.5" x 3"

Remote requires 2, AAA batteries (not included)
Training unit requires 3, AA batteries (not included)


This unit is for training purposes only and cannot be used for patient defibrillation.

Click here to view purchase options for the AED & additional training pads.