Webinar Series Starting In March

SUDDEN CARDIAC ARREST is the #1 killer in the US annually and an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) is the difference between life and death for these victims.  Every minute that goes by without using an AED results in a 10% less chance of survival!

You simply can’t wait for EMS or First Responder community teams to arrive!  National average EMS response is 8-10 minutes in urban areas.

OSHA highly recommends these devices in the workplace and there are many industry-specific, federal, state and local mandates for AEDs due to the death toll of Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA).  But, even if you are not mandated — you should consider purchasing one of these devices.  They take survival rates from SCA from 3-7% to over 65%! PLUS, if you can use a cell phone – YOU CAN USE AN AED!

So, are there any drawbacks to owning an AED?  Yes, if you do not maintain them or implement them according to your applicable AED acquirer laws in your city/county/state.  Think Safe knows these laws and is known for providing the legal protection and solutions our clients and dealers need.

Think Safe, in an effort to help our customers and dealers understand the legalities of defibrillator ownership, is sponsoring a webinar series on AED Programs: Avoiding Liability.

The webinar runs 3 times per day in March with speakers Paula Wickham or Greg Stebral, industry experts, providing key tips and resource materials for existing AED programs or those interested in selling AEDs or purchasing AEDs for their facility or workplace.

There is no fee.  There is no software to download. You just need an internet connection (no phone). All you have to do is go to:

http://www.thinksafewebinars.com/State-and-Local-AED-Acquirer-Laws.html

Once you fill out the form (we DO NOT SELL your information) you will be provided a screen that shows open webinars and you can click on and select any times / dates with open seats.

There are many dates/times to pick from this month- we know how hard it is to push a webinar into your busy schedule but…. you’ll find value from this webinar and we look forward to seeing you online.

Business AED Package

If you have any questions or want to schedule a specific time for this webinar please contact Paula Wickham at pwickham@think-safe.com or call our offices and ask for Paula or Greg, 319-377-5125.   Making Minutes Matter!

Automated External Defibrillators (AED)s: Pediatric & Infant Use

People who are familiar with AEDs and defibrillators know that both adult and pediatric pads had to be considered pre-2010 AHA science updates[separate pads are required to allow the AED to administer different shock dosage to the heart, lower for pediatric events of course].  Having both pads available creates extra costs as both have an expiry date and need replacement after 2 years usually. We often get asked, ” Do we really need pediatric pads?”

With the 2010 Emergency Cardiovascular Care (ECC) and American Heart Association (AHA) Guidelines Updates there comes new published science on the use of AEDs on infants and children. 

Former science [pre-2010 and post-2005] suggested not to use AEDs on infants and to use pediatric pads on children under 8 years of age or under 55 pounds.  Evidence of this from prior blogs or internet posts includes: http://www.wikihow.com/Use-a-Defibrillator, which contains old outdated information summarized below.

OLD INFORMATION: Do not put adult pads on a pediatric patient and vice versa! Pediatric pads are used on children who are ages 12 and under. [this is pre-2005 information]

NEW GUIDELINES INFORMATION: http://www.heart.org/idc/groups/heart-public/@wcm/@ecc/documents/downloadable/ucm_317350.pdf   clearly updates the guidelines to show that it is acceptable to use AEDs and even adult pads on pediatric patients, including infants.  The KEY is anterior and posterior placement.  For more details, see the information below pulled directly from the recent guidelines update.

AED Use in Children Now Includes Infants

2010 (New): For attempted defibrillation of children 1 to 8

years of age with an AED, the rescuer should use a pediatric

dose-attenuator system if one is available. If the rescuer

provides CPR to a child in cardiac arrest and does not have an

AED with a pediatric dose-attenuator system, the rescuer should

use a standard AED. For infants (<1 year of age), a manual

defibrillator is preferred. If a manual defibrillator is not available,

an AED with pediatric dose attenuation is desirable. If neither is

available, an AED without a dose attenuator may be used.

2005 (Old): For children 1 to 8 years of age, the rescuer

should use a pediatric dose-attenuator system if one is

available. If the rescuer provides CPR to a child in cardiac

arrest and does not have an AED with a pediatric attenuator

system, the rescuer should use a standard AED. There are

insufficient data to make a recommendation for or against the

use of AEDs for infants <1 year of age.

Why: The lowest energy dose for effective defibrillation in

infants and children is not known. The upper limit for safe

defibrillation is also not known, but doses >4 J/kg (as high

as 9 J/kg) have effectively defibrillated children and animal

models of pediatric arrest with no significant adverse effects.

Automated external defibrillators with relatively high-energy

doses have been used successfully in infants in cardiac arrest

with no clear adverse effects.

If you are a school or camp or childcare provider, what does this mean?  Until new science [in 2013 or after] is released you should consider looking at your current AED program.  Do you have pediatric pads currently?  Those will expire in 2 years or less – should you replace them?  In these economic times, there are many non-profits and schools who will not have adequate budgetary capacity and it may be a topic of consideration.  Due to the new science, strong consideration can be given to this — IF you can accommodate for proper AED use communication to responders or the public who would use the device with ADULT PADS on a child under 8 years or 55 pounds.

How do you accommodate?  A simple solution: a  sticker/decal set that can be attached to your AED case and responder supplies to remind responders on WHAT TO DO for pediatric events.  The set includes directions on where to find illustrations with 2010 instructions and how to apply the ADULT pads (complete with pictures) anterior [front] and posterior [back] for pediatric events and why.  Call 888-473-1777 for more technical information on this solution.

The reason for anterior and posterior placement, simply put, is to allow the pads to shock the heart WITHOUT the pads touching – the surface area of a pediatric victim’s chest is not large enough usually to allow normal ADULT pad placement.

Simple directions and illustrations and quick references on the AED, AED instruction manual or guides, AED policy and AED protocols and CPR/AED poster you keep at your facility all will help with communication of this simple change for pediatric vs. adult use.

The ONLY exception are customers who have Philips FRx (the ONLY model to allow switching of shock level with an Infant/Child Key inserted into the AED while using the SAME SET OF PADS).  Philips FRx models offer a wonderful solution for facilities that want to be able to accommodate pediatric or adult situations without a large CONSUMABLE cost from 2 yr disposable pads for each event.  The FRx is a more expensive model with a higher purchase price – however, IF you know you are going to be primarily using the device on pediatric patients, this model would be a leading device to consider.

We are here to help.  First Voice can provide a sticker/decal/ template set to easily show on your AED and responder supplies WHAT TO DO for pediatric events.  The set includes directions on where to find illustrations with 2010 instructions and how to apply the ADULT pads (complete with pictures) anterior [front] and posterior [back] for pediatric events and why.  Call 888-473-1777 or contact your dealer for First Voice products for more information – Part number PED-DECAL01.  Pricing is only $10.00 including shipping.  Please provide your AED brand so we can make sure to ship the right decal set.

American Heart Association Studies on Cognitive & Feedback Aids

2010 New Guidelines

What does the American Heart Association recent guidelines update have to say about cognitive aids and feedback devices?

A quick summary from 2010 American Heart Association Guidelines, Supplement to Circulation Volume 122, Issue 18, Supplement 3 from November 2, 2010:

1) Part 5: Page S697, “real-time CPR prompting & feedback technology such as visual and auditory prompting devices can improve the quality of CPR.”

2) Part 16: Page S920, “non-responders most frequently cited panic and fear of hurting the patient as reasons they were unable to perform.”

3) Part 16:Page 921, “even brief training increases the willingness to use an AED and improves performance.”

4) Part 16:Page 922, “short video instruction combined with synchronous hands on practice is an effective alternative to instructor-led basic life support courses.”

5) Part 16:Page 923, “ECC courses should be part of a larger continuing education and continuous quality improvement process.”

6) Part 16:Page 923, “Checklists or cognitive aids may be considered for use during actual resuscitation.”

7) Part 16: Page 923, “CPR prompt and feedback devices can be useful as part of an overall strategy to improve the quality of CPR during actual resuscitation.”

To find out more about current technology and first aid or CPR checklists, cognitive aids and feedback devices available today and distribution opportunities, go to www.firstvoice.us or contact First Voice at 888-473-1777.

First Voice EID upgrades NOW AVAILABLE!

Talking First Aid Book / First Aid Calculator

ECC / AHA & National First Aid Science Upgrades were released in late 2010.  For more information on this see our blog post from October:

http://thinksafe.wordpress.com/2010/10/19/the-2010-guidelines-for-cpr%E2%80%A6/

Think Safe’s First Voice EID is ready for CPR/First Aid upgrades to be sent to you, our dealers and customers!

Part No. DC01: The $29 upgrade is sent in a datacard and can be easily inserted/changed by following the user instructions sent with the upgrade.  

Dealers please contact us for further information on how to provide your customers easy upgrades (email:mmaly@think-safe.com).

The First Voice EID is the only Emergency Instruction Device / Talking First Aid Book / First Aid Calculator on the market for business use, containing all first aid & CPR AHA manual current protocols.  The device is easy to upgrade through an accessible dataport on the back of the device as first aid & CPR protocols do change every 3-5 years through scientific studies and advances in first aid / CPR science.

2010 updates implemented in 2011 on the EID protocols include:  CPR updates to include compression depth & C-A-B changes for trained rescuers and hands only CPR for untrained rescuers, education & recognition of gasping vs. normal breathing, and advised AED use for infants.  First Aid updates include additional heat stroke advice, jellyfish sting updated care,  clarification on aspirin use for heart attack symptoms, both US and Canadian Poison Control contact information, bleeding wound care updates (elevation, pressure points, tourniquet, compression bandage use), additional information on when to suspect head, neck or spinal injuries, and snakebite first aid care updates.

Please contact us today for your upgrade:

(email:pwickham@think-safe.com or 888/473/1777)

SafetyMate Trade-in: $50 Value!

Or, if you have an outdated SafetyMate model

NOW is the time to upgrade to First Voice:

$50 REBATE on ANY SafetyMate exchanged

& First Voice EID (AVU5001) ordered!

Expires:  3/31/2011

Customer LifeSaving Event Post-Event Review

HeartSine ECG (click on this link and link on next page to see an actual scanned ECG record of a lifesaving event) One of our customers recently used their HeartSine samaritan HS01 AED to save the life of a fitness club member!

What does all of the attached ECG picture and lines mean?

It took about 1 second to put on the AED pads after turning on the device.  It took the HeartSine about 8 seconds to analyze and recommend shock.  It took 5 seconds for the employees to stand clear and press the shock button.  Shock 1 was administered about 16 seconds into the rescue/response.

CPR then commenced.  You can see the effectiveness of the CPR and then the patient’s heartbeat restored.  At just past 2 minutes from initial use of the AED, EMS arrived and removed the AED pads, placing on their own pads.

The EMS confirmed that the AED being used so quickly was part of the reason the patient survived. The in-house response time was just under 2-3 minutes from time of collapse to time AED arrived on scene to use. WITH EVERY MINUTE THAT ELAPSES, CHANCES OF SURVIVAL DECREASE BY 10%!

This AED was used in a fitness club, in a metro area, response time for EMS was just under 6 minutes from time of 9-1-1 initial call.

This data was pulled from the AED using event review software that is included FREE with the equipment sold by Think Safe.  A medical director for the fitness club was sent the information for their interpretation and for use by the patient’s medical doctors.

Truly, AEDs are powerful lifesaving devices! The only way to reduce the 300,000 plus death toll on Sudden Cardiac Arrest (the nation’s largest killer) is to increase public knowledge on AEDs and improve AED placements for quick and effective defibrillation response for victims of Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA).  With average national EMS response times being 8-10 minutes, workplaces and places of high risk for SCA need to purchase AEDs in order to protect their employees or members.

To find out more about how your organization can easily install and implement an AED or AED program; please call us at 888-473-1777.  Our company can arrange for someone to visit you or your facility or we can speak with you over the phone.  All of our AED packages come with the following at no extra charge:  Prescription (Rx), AED Administrator Toolkit (inspection tags, checklists, drills, placement surveys and install direction, AED acquirer compliance checklists to state laws, post-event review technical assistance and more….

Contact one of our AED experts at:  888-473-1777 or info@firstvoice.us for more information and help.

AED Site Risk Assessment: Part2

AED Site Risk Assessment

Many times we get asked at Think Safe the question, “How much risk do I have for someone  having a Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA) here?”

In the previous blog post we spoke about determining the level of risk at your facility and if your facility was at higher risk for having a SCA (Sudden Cardiac Arrest) event. We also provided a list of higher risk facilities.

If you want to now move on to assessment tools, here are some questions to answer:

1) Is it unlikely that the existing EMS system would be able to reliably achieve a “call- to-shock” interval of five minutes or less at this site?

2) Has an SCA incident occurred at this site in the past five years and have the demographics of the population served by this site remained relatively constant?

3) Do 10,000 or more persons regularly gather at this location?

4) Does this site have a large concentration of persons over 50 years old?

5) Is there a high probability of SCA at this site based upon this formula:

A. Take the number of individuals at your location and multiply this number by the % of people age 50 or over.
B. Multiply this number by the average number of hours spent at the location each day.
C. Multiply this number by 350 if the location is residential or 250 if the location is non-residential.
D. If your answer is 600,000 or higher, your location has a high probability of SCA.

If you answered YES to any of the above questions you are at higher risk of having an SCA event and you need to talk to our technical experts or a local rep by contacting 888-473-1777 or info@think-safe.com.

Think Safe can provide a full AED Site Assessment Survey for your use and one of our local representatives would be happy to perform on onsite AED placement assessment.  Think Safe’s First Voice product line includes a full line of AEDs and AED accessories.  From low cost and rugged solutions our product catalog has what you need to put in place an effective and protective AED program.

Think Safe, Inc. * 1105 Hawkeye Drive * Hiawatha, IA  52233 * 888-473-1777 * www.firstvoice.us

Automated External Defibrillator Programs

AED Site Risk Assessment

Many times we get asked at Think Safe the question, “How much risk do I have for someone  having a Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA) here?”

Due to the number of deaths every year and SCA events that occur, we like it when people appear to be educated that it is only a matter of time – at some point we are all likely to experience or witness a SCA event.  Again, we are talking about the nation’s biggest killer; affecting over 300,000 people in the US annually and killing more people than all forms of cancer combined!

The following information might provide you some helpful insight to determining your levels of risk.  What are the most likely places to have SCA events occur? Some studies have shown a higher incidence in certain locations, listed below.

· Airports
· Community/senior citizen centers
· Dialysis centers
· Ferries/train terminals
· Golf courses
· Health centers/gyms
· Cardiology, internal and family medicine practices, and urgent care centers
· Jails
· Large industrial sites
· Large shopping malls
· Nursing homes
· Private businesses
· Sports/events complexes

Watch for our next blog post on AED Site Risk Assessment for key questions to ask.

Automated External Defibrillator Programs

To see more information about how to assess your risk, contact us at 888-473-1777 or info@think-safe.com.  We can provide you a complimentary (NO CHARGE) AED site risk assessment survey.  If you would like, we can send a local rep to your facility for a NO CHARGE placement assessment as well.

The Think Safe First Voice product line includes a comprehensive AED package that protects our distributors and customers and includes:  AED Administrator Toolkit, AED inspection tag, AED Inspection Checklist, AED Acquirer State Civil Liability Immunity Laws Compliance Checklist, and more….  www.firstvoice.us

New OSHA (194.07) First Aid Guidelines…

How do OSHA guidelines affect work comp premiums and insurance claims?  Here is a little detail on why first aid reportables can make all the difference….

First Aid or Recordable? New OSHA guidelines…..
Some workers’ compensation injuries are of such a minor nature that the law permits the employer to treat or refer for treatment of these injuries and pay for them privately rather than through the workers’ compensation insurance carrier. These injuries are known as First Aid and are not recordable injuries per OSHA guidelines and no claims file needs to be made up for them. All other injuries are considered Medical Treatment, which are recordable for OSHA guidelines and for which claims files are made up.

Due to the benefits employers derive from classifying injuries as first aid, it is necessary to understand which injuries can be so classified and when they must be reported to the insurer and to OSHA. This list of first aid treatments if comprehensive, i.e., any treatment not included on this list is not considered first aid for OSHA record keeping purposes. OSHA considers the listed treatments to be first aid regardless of the professional qualifications of the person providing the treatment; even when a physician, nurse, or other health care professional provides these treatments, they are considered first aid for record keeping purposes.

New Rules under OSHA 194.07
Note: MT = Medical Treatment FA = First Aid - 1 does of prescription medication now MT (Old rule: 2 doses MT)
- OTC med at prescription strength now MT (Old rule any dosage FA)
- Any number of hot/cold treatments now FA – (Old rule 2 or more treatments MT)
- Drilling a nail now FA – (Old rule MT)
- Butterfly bandage/Steri-Strip now FA – (Old rule MT)

All First Voice kits and Self-contained Emergency Treatment (SET) Systems are designed with careful consideration to these types of OSHA guidelines.  Contact us for more details on how first aid programs can be made easier for EHS and Safety Supervisors, 888-473-1777.  info@firstvoice.us

September is National Emergency Preparedness Month

SEPTEMBER IS NATIONAL EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS MONTH
How you can prepare for, plan, and be informed during emergency situations

Hiawatha, Iowa, September 10, 2009 – Emergency scenarios can happen at any time, in any place, and it’s crucial that the right tools are on hand so no time is wasted in dealing with a situation. For natural disasters and mass disasters, it is interesting to look at the Top 10 Myths that exist. While organizations such as National Safety Council and Ready.gov focus on providing tools and promoting preparedness it is ultimately up to each individual to plan and be prepared. September marks a month-long focus on the importance of emergency preparedness, headed by FEMA.

“National Preparedness Month 2009 (September 2009) will focus on changing perceptions about emergency preparedness and will help Americans understand what it truly means to be Ready.“*

For medical emergencies, certain emergencies demand a 4-minute or less time to respond appropriately for survival and recovery of the victim. It is important to work with organizations that understand the importance of being ready and offer comprehensive medical emergency training and tools. The American Heart Association’s chain of survival for Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA) – the leading killer of Americans each year – is an example of one such organization that is educating and promoting preparedness and Automated External Defibrillator (AED) placements to improve 5% survival rates out-of-hospital from SCA to over 60% due to defibrillation during those first vital minutes after the event.

Dr. Donald Linder, doctor of emergency medicine at St. Luke’s Hospital – one of the nation’s Top 100 Heart Hospitals – says that AEDs are a key tool but is quick to also support adequate training and smart devices such as the American Lifeguard endorsed First Voice Emergency Instruction Device** (EID) for total medical first aid preparedness. “With over 3.8 million disabling workplace injuries in the US annually, and first aid and CPR skills studies showing only a six-week retention, EIDs provides a quality solution for the retention problem.”

“We’re in the business of saving lives. People need to take appropriate measures to be prepared for the unexpected, and our mission is to make sure there are products out there that offer the best assistance in an emergency first aid situation,” states Paula Wickham, CEO of Think Safe – a technology newcomer to the first aid industry that provides not only protocol compliant training products but real-time devices such as the First Voice EID and ResQr iPhone first aid apps.

The recent Macworld review of the ResQr First Aid &  CPR Coach iPhone app by certified American Red Cross CPR/ lifeguard, Lisa Schmeiser, wrote, “iPhone [or iPod Touch] apps provide a handy way to refresh a memory that’s gone blank in the face of an emergency or to provide first-aid knowledge you never thought you’d need… [ResQr First Aid & CPR Coach is an app that] Red Cross card-carriers and rookies alike can appreciate.”

As National Emergency Preparedness Month enters its second week, the goal of every citizen of the United States should be to think about what they are doing to be prepared. Whether it is training, researching and purchasing survival, first aid or other disaster preparedness products the key is to go through the exercise and understand what the risks are and using the resources available through any number of organizations to better protect themselves. The key to preparedness is being prepared.

*www.ready.gov **endorsed by the American Lifeguard Association (www.americanlifeguard.com)

About Think Safe Inc

Think Safe Inc is committed to setting new standards for comprehensive emergency readiness and response. Manufacturing products for complete injury management and providing services that improve access to first aid and CPR training, Think Safe Inc products and services are a good fit for corporate and industrial environments, parks and recreational facilities, schools, convention and sport centers, remote or high-risk locations, and a host of other public gathering places. Think Safe Inc offers its patent pending systems in a variety of models, from a dedicated portable unit to software for computers and mobile devices. A selection of lightweight, portable cases and bags is available to meet various space, use, and environmental needs. For details about Think Safe Inc and its products, call Jen Mittan at 319-377-5125 or visit www.think-safe.com.

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Random Canoer Gets Help from Paula and the First Aid Cube

I grew up in Northeast Iowa, just minutes from the Minnesota and Wisconsin borders in Allamakee County. “Home” for me is nestled in the middle of corn and hay fields, dairy or beef cattle farmers, and the hills and valleys of numerous tributaries to the Mississippi River and the mighty Mississippi itself.

Northeast Iowa, in the heat of summer, has its benefits – like an outing with the old girlfriends for a Saturday kayak and canoe trip down the Upper Iowa River. With age and kids the planned gatherings have lessened and mainly they are limited to weddings, funerals and class reunions. A couple weekends ago I found myself drifting to the lazy current of the Upper Iowa River, struggling to steer the canoe, but lucky enough to be in the company of nine old high school friends. It was a girl’s day out with the old gang thanks to the return of Amy Schaller-Hacker, an Ohio resident now, to her native Iowa.

It only takes seconds to feel at home with old friends – it is like you just spoke yesterday when it really was years. Mostly I just listened, taking deep relaxing breaths that stirred up the good old simpler times, strikingly funny old memories, our old creative songs and chants, and I relished the beautiful scenery and companionship.

First Voice First Aid Cube, the multi-dimensional first aid kit!

The Upper Iowa has many bends… And around each corner, and with every straight-away, we met a new troop of people, most of them tubing (including a band of pirates in full costume!). In laid back Allamakee County we would join these other floaters, talk like we were old friends and eventually paddle on past. One meet-up even allowed use of the First Voice First Aid Cube! (Severe cuts on the palm from a canoe with sharp edges or something glass that needed stitches but the triple antibiotic, waterproof tape, steri-strips and gauze bandages in the Cube bode him much more comfort than the soaking wet t-shirt being used as a compression bandage.) Yes, I took the Cube and the First Voice in my submersible Aloksak waterproof protection bag – appropriate equipment for the outing.

Big thanks to my friends for planning and partaking in that awesome daytrip! No matter how busy you get – or if you have the chaos of raising kids and growing a company like I do – it’s crucial to take time to relax and enjoy some quiet moments with friends.