Think Safe Receives a Best of 2015 Award from Thumbtack

Think Safe has been awarded a Best of 2015 Award by Thumbtack because of our great customer reviews!

We appreciate our clients and love hearing that they are happy with our services. That’s why we’ll continue to make top-grade first aid and CPR training and emergency response products available, affordable, and user-friendly.

If you haven’t already, find out what all the buzz is about by visiting our website at http://think-safe.com/ or checking us out on Facebook.

And thank you for helping us every day to make minutes matter.

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Interested in finding out how Think Safe’s products and training options can benefit your workplace? Simply contact Think Safe at 888-473-1777 or click on the More Information button, and we’ll be happy to contact you. Or, if you like what we do, refer us to a friend!

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BEWARE: Brown Recluse Spider Bite

This is a First Aid training student’s pictures of his own experience with a Brown Recluse Spider bite.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Think Safe provides First Aid training courses! Online, in-person, and blended options are available.

Click here to visit our training page!

If you would like more information on First Aid or CPR training, please complete the following form and we’ll promptly contact you! 

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Press Release: First Voice Handling the Elements with Rugged First Aid System

Leading the way in multilingual workplace technology-aided first aid response

Hiawatha, Iowa, August 24, 2009 – Think Safe delivers state-of-the art upgraded first aid innovations consistently, while maintaining its track record of meeting and exceeding industry standards. The Rugged+AED Self-contained Emergency Treatment (SET) System is one of those innovations, providing a compact and low cost-of-ownership rugged AED, color-coded first aid supply bags, and the highly endorsed Emergency Instruction Device (EID) – all packaged in a rugged, waterproof Pelican case made to handle the toughest situations.

Donald Linder, doctor of emergency medicine at St. Luke’s Hospital – one of the nation’s

Dr. Donald Linder with the Emergency Instruction Device outside his hospital in Cedar Rapids, IA.

Top 100 Heart Hospitals – says that the system is comprehensive and a key first aid tool to supplement CPR and first aid training. “With over 3.8 million disabling workplace injuries and over 250,000 Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA) deaths in the US annually, and first aid and CPR skills studies showing only a six-week retention, First Voice provides a quality solution for the retention problem and the failure to have the right supplies immediately accessible.” In a SCA event, studies show that a 4-minute or less time to defibrillation is one of the keys to survival and recovery of the victim.

“Our Rugged+AED SET System adds high value by its tough versatility and easy to find color-coded supplies matching our First Voice EID’s audible and visual coaching prompts,” says CEO/President of Think Safe Paula Wickham. “This system is designed for any rough environment that is subject to the elements, or venue that is expected to comply with OSHA’s general industry and workplace first aid and AED requirements or recommendations.”

First Voice Rugged+AED SET System

The Rugged+AED SET System steps a responder through all major and minor first aid events with clear and calm multi-step instructions utilizing the EID and the coordinating first aid supplies, all housed (including the rugged AED**) in the Pelican case. The system is available from select distributors including CPR and First Aid Training Centers or first aid supplies and safety distributors nationally. More information can be found online (www.firstvoice.us).

All protocols within the system are compliant with 2005 approved ECC/American Heart Association and American Red Cross First Aid and CPR protocols. With a recently added new EID “Language” button responders can now hear emergency instructions in Spanish or English, with the capability of 20 or more additional languages available. The contents of the color-coded first aid supply bags allow the Rugged+AED SET System to meet and exceed OSHA and ANSI’s newly updated 2008 first aid compliance standards.

**AED is optional, added to fit specific needs

To learn more about the First Voice SET Systems, contact Think Safe at 888.473.1777 , or complete the following form and we will be happy to contact you.

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October is National Sudden Cardiac Awareness Month

While the month of October may be ending, the nation’s leading silent killer will remain standing. Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA) kills 1,000 people PER DAY in the United States alone. That is approximately 1 life every minute.

When an organization reviews their Emergency Response Plan (ERP) they should consider addressing life-threatening emergencies that are likely to occur at their facility.SCA should be a topic that is covered during review of the organization ERP if the local EMS or first responder teams can not get to the VICTIM (from time of their collapse, not from time of the 9-1-1 call) in well under 4-6 minutes. With national averages for EMS response being 8-10 minutes in urban areas and higher than that in rural areas; it is highly likely that almost any organization should consider the implementation of an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) program to offset the risk of death occurring from any SCA event at their facility.

Here are some key facts on why any workplace or organization where people pass through, congregate, and work should consider AEDs.

1) Many victims of SCA did not know they were at risk, and could not recognize warning signs, if any had been present. In fact, two-thirds of SCA deaths occur without any prior indications of heart disease. Anyone can experience sudden cardiac arrest, including healthy infants, high school athletes, and healthy athletes or people in their 30s and 40s who have no sign of heart disease. There are certain populations that have been shown to be at higher risk but SCA is a silent and deadly killer that is non-discriminatory in that it will take the life of any age, any rage or any gender of person. This fact is vital because the victim can not be equipped to properly save their life if they do not know they have a heart condition.

2) CPR alone is not enough. Ninety-five percent of victims of SCA die because they do not receive medical attention in time. Currently, defibrillation delivered within the first 6 minutes of an SCA accounts for the 5 percent survival statistics. Survival can be as high as 90 percent if treatment is initiated within the first 4–6 minutes after SCA. The rate decreases by about 10 percent each minute longer. Those who receive a life-saving shock from an Automatic External Defibrillator (AED) have a good long-term outlook.

3) There are Good Samaritan Laws to protect users of AEDs and organizations like Think Safe can provide you a turnkey AED Acquirer/Owner package that puts the right AED program in place at your facility to protect you from any liability risks. With the purchase of any equipment at your facility, the costs and risks of keeping it maintained have to be considered. That should not be any different with the purchase of an AED. However, easy to use cloud based SAAS self-maintenance low-cost tracking solutions such as www.firstvoicemanager.com exist to ensure that someone at your facility does the AED check regularly and has a readily available servicing log with the click of a mouse.

While good quality CPR is important to saving the life of anyone who is unresponsive, for SCA events it is important and essential to have an AED. Think Safe has AED complete packages available for close to $1,000 that include an AED Administrator Toolkit, training, servicing and any tool needed for your AED implementation and management.

For more information on Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA) and how to be better prepared contact Think Safe at 888-473-1777 or or complete the form below. Ask to see our First Voice Manager webinar or our AED Acquirer webinar — guaranteed to be comprehensive and educational regarding proper AED program implementation and easy long term care!

 

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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:

https://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

School Mandates for AEDs Slowed by Economy

I recently read this article:  http://www.northjersey.com/news/health/111835889_Defibrillator_bill_stalled_over_funds.html

There are several very good points made in this article.

Of note is that these lifesaving devices can be purchased for $1000 or under and AED packages (cabinet, etc) are $1000 to $1500.  And, companies and facilities should want to purchase and maintain the devices under their own lead, not based upon being MANDATED to buy.

I know of several MANDATED customers (schools, fitness clubs, gyms, etc) where they – without hand holding and an easy database solution that is inexpensive – DID NOT hold up their end of the bargain historically due to the absence of an AED program Champion.    Pads expire, Batteries expire, devices go unchecked and management is crossing their fingers [and toes] that the device works when it is needed at their location (if it is even remembered to be used).

The key is that these devices save lives, they should not be mandated, they should be affordable and easy to maintain.  THEY SAVE LIVES and let’s not forget that Sudden Cardiac Arrest is the biggest killer annually in the U.S.

How can you fund an AED?  There are grants – email us for a copy of “THE FOUNDATION OF FUNDING AEDS” – FREE, COMPLIMENTARY and no strings attached!

EMAIL:   grants@think-safe.com (subject – COPY OF FOUNDATION OF FUNDING AEDS)

How can you make sure the AED is constantly in compliance and checked regularly for under $25 – 50/yr at your location?  Check out the following link; then contact us at 888-473-1777 or complete the form below and we will be happy to get in touch with you!

http://www.firstvoice.us/Products/FirstVoiceAEDProgramManager/tabid/727/Default.aspx

It seems that the answer to placing the devices are not mandates but rather, proper funding and program solutions for the long term!   We can always be reached at  as well at the contact info below, and we are happy to give you our technical insights into accessible funding sources and cost reductions, where applicable!

Making Minutes Matter

Think Safe Blog /grants@think-safe.com (888.473.1777)

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AHA Updates Guidelines for CPR and ECC in 2015

The American Heart Association (AHA) has released new guidelines and best practices for cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and emergency cardiovascular care (ECC). These guidelines have been updated to improve rescue time and make the process easier.

Although the changes from the 2010 guidelines are, for the most part, minimal, they emphasize such important things as cell phone use in an emergency, clarified rates of compression during CPR, etc.

Over the next months, we will work diligently to update materials, training courses, and products to reflect these changes so that we can continue being a comprehensive, reliable resource for your safety needs.

For a quick breakdown of the AHA CPR and ECC guideline updates, or other questions, simply fill out the form below, and we will be happy to provide you with the information. 

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New Emergency Instruction Device (EID) Launches in Europe

Think Safe is proud to write about our 2010 European EID that is now available in Dutch and European English.  For Please see:  http://bit.ly/RescueMate for full details.

European EID – RescueMate

This EID has everything you need and is European & ECC compliant:
– first aid, AED and CPR training and emergency use
– fire training
– evacuation training
– communication training

A full occupational health tool for any workplace or organization!

COMING SOON!  German and French languages

For more details on how to distribute this product, please contact us at 888-473-1777 or complete the form below and we will be happy to contact you.

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Proven Effective! AEDs in Schools Save Lives

The following is from AEDs in School Prove Effective at MedPage Today by Todd Neale on the importance and effectiveness of having AEDs at every school.

In a survey of high schools that had an AED program and had had a cardiac arrest within the preceding six months, 64% of cases — students and nonstudents alike — survived to hospital discharge, according to Jonathan Drezner, MD, of the University of Washington in Seattle, and colleagues.

Most of the schools (83.5%) had an emergency action plan in place for responding to sudden cardiac arrest, the researchers reported online in Circulation: Journal of the American Heart Association.

More than 92% of individuals suffering an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest do not survive to hospital discharge, and survival declines 7% to 10% for each minute defibrillation is delayed, according to Dr. Drezner and colleagues.

One study found that survival after exercise-related cardiac arrest in particular was only 11%.

Responding to the low survival rate, many schools have implemented AED programs and emergency response plans for sudden cardiac arrest.

However, it had remained unclear how effective early defibrillation was for treating cardiac arrest among student-athletes and others in schools.

To explore the issue, Dr. Drezner and colleagues identified 1,710 U.S. high schools that had at least one AED using the National Registry for AED Use in Sports.

According to a survey completed by school representatives, 83.5% of the schools had an established emergency action plan for sudden cardiac arrest; 60% of those with a plan developed it in collaboration with local EMS.

However, only 40% practiced and reviewed the plans at least once a year, and only 18% posted a written emergency plan at each athletic venue.

Of the respondents, 2.1% of the schools had had a sudden cardiac arrest occur on premises within the preceding six months.

Almost all (97%) were witnessed, 94% received CPR from a bystander, and 83% received an AED shock.

The average time from arrest to first shock was 3.6 minutes for students (mean age 16) and 1.8 minutes for nonstudents, including teachers, coaches, visitors, and other adults (mean age 57).

Nearly two-thirds (64%) of cases survived to hospital discharge, including nine of 14 student-athletes and 14 of 22 nonstudents.

“Although some deficiencies in emergency response planning were identified, a high survival rate for both student athletes and older nonstudents with sudden cardiac arrest was reported in high schools with on-site AED programs,” the researchers said.

“The need for ongoing CPR training, fully developed and executed emergency plans, and links to EMS are vital to the immediate and long-term outcomes of shock delivery,” Dianne Atkins, MD, of the University of Iowa in Iowa City said.

“The tragic death of an adolescent has a profound effect on the community, and the desire to protect this population may outweigh financial considerations,” she said.

Dr. Drezner and colleagues acknowledged some limitations of the study, including the low response rate (11%), the inclusion of schools that already had AED programs, the use of self-reported data, and the possibility that some cases of sudden cardiac arrest may have been missed.

For information on Think Safe’s AED solutions contact our AED Expert James Moroney.

The Government’s Requirements on First Aid Preparedness

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Be it running a company or working for one, you need to know what is recommended for first aid treatment and preparedness protocols. There are groups like Raise Your Hand trying to spread awareness, and of course the United States Department of Labor: Occupational Safety & Health Administration (commonly known as OSHA) does its part to spread the word too.

Here’s how OSHA puts it:

It is a requirement of OSHA that employees be given a safe and healthy workplace that is reasonably free of occupational hazards. However, it is unrealistic to expect accidents not to happen. Therefore, employers are required to provide medical and first aid personnel and supplies commensurate with the hazards of the workplace. The details of a workplace medical and first aid program are dependent on the circumstances of each workplace and employer.

OSHA even provides general information that may be of assistance here.

Here at Think Safe we spend a lot of time and energy into making sure our products not only meet OSHA’s standards, but exceed them as well. Be it the First Aid Cube, our Online Training, top-rated ResQr First Aid & CPR Coach, or the American Lifeguard Association-endorsed Emergency Instruction Device, the First Voice line of products are setting new standards in emergency first aid preparedness for the home or business.

Minimum’s mentality will never do when it comes to saving a life. Why risk everything by not taking the appropriate actions to ensure the safety of your loved ones and employees? If you need more encouragement, just remember that Uncle Sam says so too.