Letter from Chair

As we begin 2008 I would like to thank all of you for your support and use of ECSI materials and programs.

I am excited to be the National Chairperson this year and hope to work along with you to continue the growth and development of ECSI. We continue to be an outstanding leader in our field because of our strengths—ease of use, pricing, quality, customer service, and forward thinking.

I would like to congratulate the PULSE (Pittsburgh United for Life Saving Emergencies) program at St. Margaret Foundation and UPMC (University of Pittsburgh Medical Center) St. Margaret Hospital in Pittsburgh, PA, for setting a world record for AED training in August 2007 in conjunction with ECSI.

If you are in the process of scheduling another large event similar to the PULSE project, I encourage you to publicize it and reach out to another ECSI center in your area and even to ECSI Headquarters to help you with your event.

In 2008 we look forward to continued growth as a national and international training organization, where everyone can truly experience the ECSI difference! I encourage all of you to continue to be involved in ECSI and to seek positions, such as those on the Advisory Council and National Faculty, in the upcoming years. We encourage you to submit articles for our newsletter for consideration.

Finally, I will be at several national and state conferences this year, beginning with the Pennsylvania state EMS conference held in Seven Springs in March. I hope to see many of you attending conferences in 2008. It is a great way to network and stay abreast of the issues. Please stop by the ECSI and/or Jones and Bartlett Publishers booths at the many conferences we attend and say hello. For a list of upcoming conferences, click here.

Looking forward to a successful 2008 that we can experience together.

Craig Spector
2008 National Advisory Chairperson

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The Big Picture

Featured Articles

Yoga and Meditation for a Healthy Heart
Submitted by Catherine Tardif, RYT, CPT

Tech Tips
Having fun with the BLAST! program in Katmandu!
Submitted by Gina Leve, RN, LNC - Arise Medical Missions

Recently, I had the pleasure of teaching the Babysitter Lessons and Safety Training (BLAST!) course offered by ECSI to 18 students at KISC, an international school located in Katmandu, Nepal. The teaching population there is a mix of students from foreign countries as well as nationals. I conducted the training as an elective over the course of 5 weeks, and although the school is very nice according to third world standards, I was forced to conduct the course without the benefit of teaching aides like the CD-ROM program that accompanies the course.

Here's what I think makes BLAST! a winning course for the adolescent population—the consistency in the standard of care within the booklet. The course makes it very clear that a safe-sitter bears a tremendous level of responsibility in watching an infant or a child. Once the students realized that they were in control of keeping that life safe, they were able to take stock in the reality of that responsibility.

At the start of each class, we would review the previous week’s material and clarify any questions. I made use of a white board and lots of colored markers. Prior to each class, I prepared brightly colored index cards that we used to role play conversations between the sitter and a parent, EMS, poison control, etc. Last of all, I often inserted periodic career examples from my life as a C-130 Flight Nurse in the Air Force and my 25-year career as an ER and critical care nurse, which seemed to help keep the students entertained and interested.

The truth is that BLAST! is pure science in that it allows you to integrate mandatory skills academically and sensibly. Thanks to ECSI for allowing me to be a part of that from the other side of the world.

To view a short video and read testimonials of how much the students benefited from the ECSI’s BLAST program, please click here.

Educational Center Spotlight
Optiwell, Inc., California
Submitted by Don Ross

OptiWell, Inc., was founded in 2004 as an employee-owned corporation by a small group of former San Diego Red Cross employees. This group was lead by Don Ross, OptiWell CEO and President, and Sue Lockhart, Program Director and VP.

Optiwell teaches a variety of programs, mostly CPR for Healthcare Providers and Babysitter Safety Trainings. About one year ago Optiwell added ECSI training and materials. We joined the growing ECSI family of training centers because we like their layperson CPR/AED and First Aid books. We find them to be the best quality for the best price.

ECSI’s BLAST! babysitter training book is also very nice. The book is small enough to fit into a babysitter’s first aid kit, but is also very thorough. The inclusion of the latest 2005 CPR guidelines in BLAST! stole us from our former provider, which was not so quick to update their program. Almost half of OptiWell’s business is training the teens of San Diego County how to be safe babysitters. We want the best for our teens and we believe the ECSI’s BLAST! program provides that.

Please take a moment to visit our website at www.babysitter-training.com.

Education Center Spotlight – International
Asociacion Espanola de Emergencias 112
Submitted by Dr. Santiago Doménech

The Spanish Association of Emergency 112 (AEM 112) is a non-profit association whose main objective is to improve the quality of emergency care by promoting and organizing training courses and continuing education programs targeted to health workers and to those who are not working in the emergency services in Spain.

Anyone interested in learning the techniques, rules, or procedures to be followed in case of an emergency may contact AEM 112 for an opportunity to learn and be trained to the highest level of standards in the industry.

We have an extensive catalog of courses with general and specific accreditation of international and local institutions of renown. One of the courses which we feel most proud is ECSI’s First Aid, CPR, and AED, Standard course. We have just completed the first course in Madrid, and the results have been more than satisfactory. The quality to price ratio of this course makes it possible to reach all kinds of prospects, obtaining excellent results in the satisfaction surveys. We are waiting for other ECSI courses translated into Spanish, to increase the magnificent bid of ECSI courses in English.

AEM112….. Simply enjoy teaching!!

Dr. Santiago Doménech is the Course Director of First Aid, CPR, and AED in AEM112. To learn more about AEM112, visit www.aem112.com

In the News
Submitted by Dr. Alton Thygerson

Barstow, CA – A pack of pit bulls surrounded a woman and mauled her to death. After the mauling, the dogs ran to a nearby house. Deputies shot one dog to death when it returned to the scene and acted aggressive as paramedics were trying to save the woman’s life. A second dog was shot to death when it too returned.
Source: Associated Press, December 27, 2007

Denver, CO – The lawyer for a Pennsylvania couple suing an 8-year-old over a ski collision says they had to leave town because of public outrage. The 60-year-old man and his wife have been experiencing harassment since news of the lawsuit spread on the internet. The man says he tore a tendon in the crash with the boy. The boy’s father says it wasn’t a violent collision.
Source: Associated Press, December 26, 2007

Martinsburg, WV – The number of all-terrain vehicle-related deaths dropped in West Virginia this year, but officials warn such crashes are a serious problem. The West Virginia University Injury Control Center tallies 44 deaths in ATV-related incidents to date this year. In 2006, at least 53 people were killed in ATV incidents, the highest per-capita death toll in the U.S.
Source: Associated Press, December 26, 2007

Minneapolis, MN – A man clearing snow off the glass roof of a skyscraper’s atrium slipped, crashed through the roof, and fell about five stories to his death. The 51-story IDS Center overlooks the Crystal Court, which includes a canopy of glass skylights, a 105-foot ceiling-to-floor water fountain, a food court, and retail shops.
Source: Associated Press, December 6, 2007

Jackson, MS – A husband has a new reason to be thankful he’s married. Police say his wedding band deflected a bullet and probably saved his life. Two men walked into a shop and asked to see a coin collection. When the clerk retrieved the collection, one of the men pulled a gun and demanded money. A shot was fired as the clerk threw up his left hand, and his wedding ring deflected the bullet.
Source: Associated Press, December 3, 2007

Wausau, WI – Three deer hunters were killed during the nine-day gun season. That was one more than the 10-year average. But the total of six hunting incidents was down sharply from the average of 16, according to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources.
Source: Associated Press, November 27, 2007

Seward, AK – A diver died during a scientific training session. The man signaled to his diving partner that his tank had run out of oxygen and attempted to swim to shore. He wasn’t able to manipulate his secondary air supply or take off his weight belt. His body was located an hour after he slipped under the water.
Source: Associated Press, September 26, 2007

Medical Journal Articles
Submitted by Dr. Alton Thygerson

Snakebite Injuries Treated in the United States Emergency Departments—Venomous and non-venomous snakes are found throughout most of the United States. No current national epidemiologic profile of snakebite injuries in the U.S. exists. An estimated 9,873 snakebites were treated in emergency departments (EDs) each year between 2001 and 2004. Males were more frequently seen in the ED for snakebites than were females. About one-third of the victims were known to be bitten by venomous species. More than one quarter of the victims were hospitalized although almost 60% of those with known venomous bites were hospitalized.
Source: Wilderness and Environmental Medicine, (2007) 18, 281-287.

Skills in First Aid and Resuscitation by Airline Cabin Crew—Thirty-five cabin crew were evaluated 12 months after training. The crew undertook a mock resuscitation scenario using the AED and bag-valve-mask carried in the plane’s medical kit. Of the 35 subjects, 33 subjects failed to use the bag-mask correctly, 18 performed chest compressions at the incorrect site, only 13 achieved the correct compression depth, only 20 placed the AED pads correctly, and the average time to first shock was 110 seconds after commencement of the resuscitation. While theoretical first aid knowledge was high, the participants held low levels of self-confidence in their CPR and AED skills. The results of this study indicate that cabin crew may not have sufficiently high levels of skill to manage a cardiac arrest adequately. This suggests that that existing training approaches required investigation and modification.
Source: Resuscitation (2007) October 30.

Ability of Citizens in a Senior Living Community to Perform Cardiac Skills and Appropriately Utilize AEDs—The 51 subjects with a mean age of 64 years performed inconsistently on the various links in the chain of survival. Although most subjects (94%) checked for unresponsiveness, only 62.8% also specified "call 911 and bring me the AED." Most subjects (88%) started chest compressions; however, only a minority provided high quality chest compressions (29%). With respect to AED skill performance, the following was noted: 94% of subjects removed the patient's clothing; 90% turned the device on; 94% delivered a shock as directed; and 82% continued CPR if "no shock indicated" by AED. Performance was less satisfactory for the following: only 39.2% continued chest compressions after AED arrival; 60.8% of subjects correctly attached electrodes; and 6% verbalized "clear" in advance of shock. Although many members of the sample had prior training, they frequently failed to perform some key steps adequately. Recent efforts to place AEDs in senior living centers should be augmented by a plan to train residents and other available individuals (e.g., staff) adequately in CPR/AED use.
Source: Journal of Emergency Medicine (2007) 33(4):395-399.

Cause of Death in Avalanche Fatalities—Avalanches pose a life-threatening risk to participants in outdoor winter activities. This study reported 65 avalanche deaths in Utah from 1989-90 to 2005-06 winter seasons. Most deaths occurred while participating in recreational backcountry activities. Asphyxiation caused 86% of the deaths, and 9% were due to a combination of asphyxiation and trauma. Five percent were due to trauma alone. Head injuries were frequent in those killed by trauma. Since most deaths in Utah resulted from asphyxia, most victims are alive in the post-avalanche period and have the potential for live recovery. Rescue strategies that employ rapid recovery as well as techniques that prolong survival while buried provide the best means of improving outcome.
Source: Wilderness and Environmental Medicine, (2007) 18, 293-297.

Medical Incidents and Evacuations on Wilderness Expeditions—Outdoor activities such as mountaineering, rock climbing, river running, sea kayaking, and canoeing all involve an element of risk. This study aimed to provide the medical community with a better understanding of the specific injuries and illnesses that occur on wilderness expeditions. National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS) Wilderness-based courses from September 2002 through August 2005 were studied. No fatalities occurred. Athletic injuries (e.g., sprains, strains) and gastrointestinal illnesses were the most common medical incidents. Hypothermia, seizures, appendicitis, and heat stroke occurred, but with low frequency. Fractures, dental emergencies, tick fever, athletic injuries, and non-specific body pains were the conditions most frequently requiring evacuation.
Source: Wilderness and Environmental Medicine, (2007) 18, 298-304.

Epidemiology of Non-Canine Bite and Sting Injuries Treated in U.S. Emergency Departments—This study acquired data from the 2001 through 2004 National Electronic Injury Surveillance System. It found more than 900,000 people were treated annually in emergency departments for injuries related to non-canine bites and stings. Common sources included bees (9,162,000 cases annually), spiders (123,000 cases annually), and cats (66,000 cases annually). Female adults were more likely than male adults to be treated for cat bites. Prevention should be the first line of defense, but resources could be conserved by educating the public about immediate first aid and when a need for medical care is needed.
Source: Public Health Reports (2007) 122:764-765.

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