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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Think Safe, Unique Life-saving Iowa Company, Receives Patent

US Patent 8,647,123B1 Issued to Iowa Company and Founders Paula Wickham & Annette Carter

Think Safe, a Cedar Rapids, IA based company and homegrown Iowa business that started from scratch, based upon the idea of an Iowa citizen, received its first patent in early 2014.  The idea formed what is now known as an Emergency Instruction Device (EID), a technology product being marketed all over the US and in other countries. On February 11, 2014, US Patent8,647,123 was issued and assigned to Retrac, Inc. (now doing business as Think Safe Inc. in Cedar Rapids, Iowa) and company founders and inventors.

Emergency Instruction Device (EID)

The EID patent is a major milestone for Think Safe, which was originally founded in 2004 centrally focused on the idea of the EID.  The EID is often called a CPR & First Aid Assistance device, first aid tablet or talking first aid book and is the only dedicated technology device on the market today that offers first aid and CPR instructions to minimally trained or even untrained people during workplace or public rescue situations.  Key details of product functionality include American Heart Association compliance to cognitive feedback device recommendations, as seen here:  http://www.firstvoice.us/Products/FirstAidCPRAssist/tabid/790/Default.aspx.

The idea behind the EID  product was conceived by Annette Carter, a former flight nurse for St. Luke’s Hospital, to bring resources and knowledge during critical gaps in time between when a trauma occurs and when advanced medical help arrives.  Annette, during her long career of pre-hospital trauma care, saw how such a device could  help make a difference. Today, the Think Safe logo is “Making Minutes Matter” to emphasize the foundation values that remain important to the company going forward.

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

The EID and responder kit systems that can be bundled with the EID provide not only essential and organized medical supplies,  but also audio and text instructions to coach people through emergency situations until help arrives.  Annette’s vision became a reality with the help of several co-inventors listed on the patent: Paula Wickham , Kirk Dighton, and Troy Mundt, who all served various roles in pre-market research or market introduction and sales or distribution of the EID.  The device has been beneficial during many lifesaving situations and testimonials shared by clients, and has had key endorsements in its short lifespan to date (click here for more details). 

The EID or “first aid tablet” can guide people through any major or minor first aid emergency and giving reminders or when to: call 911, check scene safety, use personal protection, provide treatment instructions including information on what not to do,  or what to do after the incident, including key tips on information record keeping or scene cleanup procedures.  Since its’ invention, the EID functionality has been converted to software that can work with any computer or technology device with WiFi access or downloaded software (ResQr) developed by Think Safe.  However, the EID continues to be Think Safe’s signature technology product and the company is proud of the lives it has helped to save as well as the awards we have received that showcase the innovation of the company.

First Voice Systems include an EID and other equipment such as an AED or first aid kit

The EID is often paired with various specialty first aid or responder kits or an Automated External Defibrillator (AED), depending on risks that exist at the client’s organization or workplace.  Think Safe is an established manufacturer, wholesaler, training services provider, and overall integrator, bringing clients the products and services packages that they need or want to help mitigate risks, decrease panic, and provide confidence during emergency, first aid, or medical illness situations.  The device even allows for users to switch languages mid-instruction for translation of instructions to any other languages also on the EID.  In the United States, the device is sold with English and Spanish as the key default languages.

Think Safe has other patents that are in process and has already filed continuations on the existing patent that protects additional product developments and other unique features of the technology offering.  “You can expect to see more patents issued to Think Safe as the company matures and our product offerings mature and grow in popularity and change based upon customer needs or desires”, states Paula Wickham, Think Safe President.

Think Safe is committed to using technology to develop, manufacture and provide innovative products and solutions which improve training and access to CPR, First Aid, and other essential care during emergency situations, setting new standards for comprehensive emergency readiness and response.  We manufacture innovative products for first aid technology and are a major wholesaler for devices like our First Voice Emergency Instruction Device (EID) and all brands/makes/models of Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs), including services that make things easier for our dealers and customers.  Think Safe’s products are available under the First Voice product line brand name, ResQr, or RescueMate brand name in various countries today.  Think Safe primarily sells the First Voice product line through established distributors or dealers and continues to selectively add new dealers, based upon geographic area or industry focus of the dealer.

Check out our http://www.think-safe.com or http://www.firstvoice.us websites for more information on the products outlined on this blog post or other products and services developed by Think Safe to include: First Voice AED online web-based program management software and First Voice Compliance Management System Software (SaaS offerings);  First Voice AED program medical oversight services;  First Voice or American Heart Association First aid & CPR training (online Elearning, blended learning, or in-person instruction); and other safety-related products and services.

Think Safe won a SAXCIES award for “Best New Safety Product” for the Emergency Instruction Device (EID) invention

For more information on the Think Safe EID, check out the product on our website or fill out the form below!

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New AEDs installed in NE Iowa Community

The Veterans Memorial Health Care Foundation gifted defibrillators to many local law enforcement officials last week following the successful community direct mail fund drive held last fall. Each Allamakee County deputy as well as the Monona Police Department received a defibrillator for their vehicle to ensure CPR and defibrillation is quickly accessible in all sections of the Veterans Memorial Hospital service area. Pictured, in front middle receiving the defibrillators are Brian Berger of the Monona Police Department; Clark Mellick, Allamakee County Sheriff, and Barry Olson, Allamakee County Deputy. Also pictured, left to right are Veterans Memorial Health Care Foundation members Amy Cote’-Hill, Lori Bahr-Stevenson, Nona Sawyer, Craig Lensing, Gloria Krambeer, Wayne Burke, Jeff Mitchell, EMT-P, EMS Supervisor, Veterans Memorial Hospital, Jackie Halverson, Nancy Schoh, Jane Dietrich, Paula Kerndt Wickham, President of First Voice who supplied the defibrillators, and Dennis Lyons also of the Foundation.

Waukon, IA-May 13, 2014- The community of Waukon, Iowa and surrounding areas are now equipped with new lifesaving devices. Philips Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) were installed in various locations throughout the community and to local law enforcement and public safety officials, thanks to the direct mail fund drive held by the Veterans Memorial Health Care Foundation last fall. This drive successfully brought in over $25,000 in funds from Allamakee and Northern Clayton County communities. These new defibrillators are located in each city police department in the Veterans Memorial Hospital coverage area, all Allamakee County Sheriff’s vehicles, and the ER of Veterans Memorial Hospital in Waukon as well as several other locations that were noted as high risk areas in need of the devices.

These defibrillators are part of the new Community Cardiac Arrest Specialty Team (CCAST), which was initiated in the community 2 years ago. This team responds to every cardiac arrest reported in the area. The team brings all equipment and performs any initial care needed at the scene instead of waiting until the victim arrives at the hospital, which makes a big difference in rural areas like these. Communities that implement teams like CCAST raise survival rates from 3% to 25%. This team’s survival rate since beginning has been an astounding 75%, proving how beneficial these teams are in communities.

The new equipment deployments were celebrated May 13, 2014, at Veterans Memorial Hospital in Waukon, with the AED recipients including: Brian Berger of Monona Police Department; Clark Mellick – Allamakee County Sheriff; Barry Olson – Allamakee County Deputy; staff of Veterans Memorial Hospital (VMH); VMH Foundation staff and Board members; and Jeff Mitchell, VMH EMS Chief.

AED devices are a critical component in increasing survival rates among sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) victims. SCA is the leading killer in the United States and claims over 300,000 lives annually in the United States alone; more people every year are killed by SCA than by cancer and strokes combined. The key to fighting SCA is defibrillation (use of an AED) within a very short period of time from the onset of SCA. The statistics show that for every minute that passes there is a 10% decreased chance of survival. AEDs allow for defibrillation during the initial minutes after 9-1-1 EMS has been called, those critical early minutes make all the difference between life and death during SCA events.

The Philips AEDs were sourced from a well-established industry integrator and wholesaler, Think Safe. Think Safe has been providing life saving equipment and training for over 10 years, all over the world, and is headquartered in the Cedar Rapids metro area. Think Safe is an innovator in the first aid industry and holds various proprietary patents as a manufacturer of First Voice first aid hardware and software products.

Think Safe has seen the value of implementing AEDs and the lives that can be saved by them. New lifesaving stories can be regularly viewed on their website or Think Safe Blog. Think Safe is dedicated to the fight against SCA and gladly offers AED grants or contributing donations to help offset the costs of lifesaving devices.

Michelle (Kerndt) Scroggs, Paula (Kerndt) Wickham, Jennifer (Snitker) Mittan

Think Safe President and Owner, Paula Kerndt Wickham, is originally from Waukon, Iowa, and attended the event in her hometown. Also in attendance were Michelle Kerndt Scroggs and Jennifer Snitker Mittan, whom are also from Waukon, Iowa and key Think Safe employees at the Cedar Rapids headquarters. “It makes us proud to be providing some of our Think Safe services and software or other products to our hometown area. Congratulations to the local community for stepping up and funding this lifesaving initiative and making it a priority. Not all communities have funded these types of initiatives yet and so we are very proud of our hometown community for their success with this project. While Think Safe manages over 10,000 devices nationally, we want local Waukon family and community members know we were pleased to provide product, services and ongoing servicing for this particular project.”

About Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA)

Sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) is a condition in which the heart suddenly and unexpectedly stops beating, causing blood to stop flowing to the brain and other vital organs. SCA usually causes death if it’s not treated within minutes.CPR alone will not restart the heart, so the American Heart Association recommends CPR combined with early defibrillation (within three to five minutes) for the best outcome.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), SCA claims more than 300,000 lives annually in the U.S. alone. It occurs abruptly and without warning, with 84 percent of SCA events occurring outside of the healthcare setting.

 About Think Safe, Inc.

Think Safe, Inc. is committed to bringing technology into the field of emergency readiness and response. Think Safe provides products and services that improve access to first aid and emergency training and improve emergency response outcomes. Think Safe is based in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. To learn more about Think Safe and its products or services, please visit www.firstvoice.us or follow Think Safe at Facebook, Twitter, and their Blog.

 

For more information on SCA, AEDs, or our grant program fill out the form below.

 

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Starry Elementary receives lifesaving donation of Automated External Defibrillator (AED)

Marion, IA- April 29, 2014- The students of Starry Elementary School in Marion, Iowa are celebrating the addition of an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) device to their school. This addition was made possible from a donation made by the children of Jean Ross, a former nurse and friend of the Marion Independent School District.

Jean Ross during her nursing years at Marion Independent School District

Ross attended the event with her husband, George, and children, Patricia (Karl) Knutson, Nancy (Donald) Christensen, and David (Cheryl) Ross. Not able to attend the celebration was another son, Lachlan (Mary) Ross from North Carolina. The AED funding was provided by the family of Ross to celebrate Ross’s dedication and commitment to children. Starry Elementary has placed a special plaque to honor Ross next to the AED storage cabinet. Ross provided a simple yet appropriate statement during the event, “School is about the kids and it is great the Ross family can do something to help these kids [at Starry Elementary].”

AED devices are a critical component in increasing survival rates among sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) victims. SCA is the leading killer in the United States and does not discriminate based on age. An estimated 5,000-7,000 students under the age of 21 die as a result of SCA every year in the United States. Most of these students never had prior symptoms and were unaware of any heart-related medical condition that may have resulted in SCA. SCA annually claims over 300,000 lives alone in the United States; more people every year are killed by SCA than by cancer and strokes combined. The key to fighting SCA is defibrillation (use of an AED) within a very short period of time from the onset of SCA. The statistics show that for every minute that passes there is a 10% decreased chance of survival. AEDs allow for defibrillation during the initial minutes after 9-1-1 EMS has been called, those critical early minutes make all the difference between life and death during SCA events.

Nancy Alderdyce, Head Nurse for Marion Independent School District has been extremely proactive in preparing the schools for SCA emergencies. Each building in the Marion school district is now equipped with an AED device due to the hard work and diligence of Alderdyce, and several other key people. In addition, staff training for the AED devices are handling lifesaving events remains a focal point for Nancy and the school district. These devices are especially important in the Marion Independent School District because they have certain at-risk students that may have more need for an AED due to diagnosed heart conditions. Usually students that die from SCA have not been pre-diagnosed and suddenly collapse and die. The AED also helps to offset the risk of death from a student not being diagnosed in the past with any heart condition.

The device Starry Elementary is receiving is a Heartsine Samaritan 350P AED. This AED is part of a pay-it-forward program called “Forward Hearts Program”, where any person saved or responder who saves an SCA victim with a Heartsine AED gets to donate a Heartsine Samaritan AED to the organization of their choice.

The Heartsine AED was sourced from a well-established industry integrator and wholesaler, Think Safe. Think Safe has been providing life saving equipment and training for over 10 years, all over the world, and is headquartered in the Cedar Rapids metro area. Think Safe Inc. is an innovator in the first aid industry and holds various proprietary patents as a manufacturer of First Voice first aid hardware and software products.

 

Nancy Alderdyce installing the AED with Jean and George Ross at Starry Elementary

Think Safe has seen the value of implementing AEDs and the lives that can be saved by them. New lifesaving stories can be regularly viewed on their website or Think Safe Blog. Think Safe is dedicated to the fight against SCA and gladly offers AED grants or contributing donations to help offset the costs of lifesaving devices. “Every school, like Starry Elementary, should have or should make plans on how to purchase an AED. It is a rewarding experience when a survivor gets to tell their story and pay-it-forward and is certainly a better outcome than being one of the 300,000 victims. The family of Jean Ross should feel really good about what they have contributed to this school in honor of their mother; this gift will keep giving for decades into the future,” states Think Safe President, Paula Wickham.

Jean Ross, her family, and members of Marion School District staff posing with their new AED

Accomplishing the climb of a lifetime.

I have a really cool story on accomplishments. I love this topic.

I have been reflecting a bit on life and its journey, and I happened to be thinking about my in-laws. The pair are amazing, rarely pausing a moment as they bound back and forth from Florida (winter/spring) to Iowa (summer/fall) and all the while staying active with tennis and attending the numerous family and community events that are the result of having eight offspring and successful educator careers. My mother-in-law is going through painful double knee replacement recovery but has been a tremendous pillar through it. Despite the pain she somehow manages to worry and think about others. Two weeks before the surgery she was traveling to the Portland Coast for a large family reunion and not complaining one bit about the pain she was in with those worn-out knees.

My father-in-law, during that same trip, climbed Mount St. Helens – two days before he turned 70 years old! That is an elevation of 8,365 feet (2,550 m) and he climbed it in one day with his son and grandson. Three generations climbing together, and none of them “mountaineers” – but all of them adventure seekers. According to his grandson (my nephew Blaine), when they checked the records of those whom had climbed to the peak, the next closest in age was 65. That is quite an accomplishment. The real accomplishment is that he climbed it in tennis shoes and hadn’t decided to climb it until the day before. He did not prepare, he did not dwell on it – he just did it.

“It has long since come to my attention that people of accomplishment rarely sit back and let things happen to them. They go out and happen to things.” source

Congratulations Tom on this accomplishment – if you ever wonder how you got such a good stack of kids just look at your wife and look in the mirror!