Central Iowa Health Certifications

10/21/2026

🧴 **Suspect poisoning? Know who to call—and what to avoid.**

Poisoning can happen at home or at work. Poisons can be swallowed, inhaled, injected or absorbed through the skin.

The American Red Cross recommends:

✅ **Check for safety first.** Help the person move away from the source only if you can do so safely.

📞 **Call 911 for life-threatening symptoms**, including trouble breathing, seizures or unresponsiveness. If the person is unresponsive and not breathing normally or is only gasping, begin CPR and use an AED as soon as available.

☎️ **If the person is alert and responsive, call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222** and follow their instructions. Have the product container handy, if possible.

🚫 **Do not give food or drinks—or try to make the person vomit—unless Poison Control or EMS instructs you to.**

💾 Save **1-800-222-1222** in your phone today, and share this reminder with your family and coworkers!

At **Central Iowa Health Certifications**, we help you prepare to respond to emergencies with practical First Aid/CPR/AED training at your location.

10/20/2026

Reposting this important information! We can't know how or when to start if we can't recognize what is happening!

Heart attack vs. cardiac arrest: what’s the difference? ❤️

At a conference last December, I heard about a study showing that many people think a heart attack and cardiac arrest are the same thing. Here’s a simple way to remember the difference:

🫀 Heart attack = a blood flow problem. A blocked blood vessel stops blood from reaching part of the heart muscle. The heart is still beating, and the person is awake and breathing. They may have chest pain or pressure, shortness of breath, or weakness.

⚡ Cardiac arrest = an electrical problem. The heart’s electrical system malfunctions, and the heart stops pumping blood effectively. The person collapses, becomes unresponsive, and is not breathing normally.

A heart attack can sometimes lead to cardiac arrest. Both are emergencies: call 911. If someone is unresponsive and not breathing normally, start CPR and use an AED as soon as one is available.

Knowing the difference can help you do your best until professional help arrives. ❤️

10/19/2026

💉 What do I do when I’m not teaching CPR? ❤️

Seasonally, I put my nursing hat back on and help give flu vaccines! 🩺

As a nurse by profession and CPR instructor by passion, I love having the opportunity to do a little of both. Whether I’m teaching someone how to save a life or helping protect someone from the flu, it all comes back to one thing: keeping people healthy and safe! ❤️

It’s that time of year again, folks! 🍂 Have you gotten your flu shot yet? If not, consider this your friendly reminder to get it scheduled! 💉

10/14/2026

💼 Your team knows their jobs. Would they know what to do in an emergency?

Central Iowa Health Certifications helps businesses prepare with CPR, AED, and First Aid training that fits your schedule and makes sense for your workplace.

📍 **We come to you**—train at your location.
💻 **Flexible learning options**—choose in-person or blended learning with online coursework and a shorter hands-on session.
🩹 **Relevant practice**—connect what your team learns to your equipment and situations they could face.
📅 **Renewal reminders**—get help keeping certifications current.

Whether you’re training a small team or coordinating multiple shifts, let’s make emergency preparedness easier.

📩 Message Central Iowa Health Certifications to discuss training for your business!

10/12/2026

10/12/2026

A day in the life! Also, video ✌️from Max!

10/08/2026

❤️ **Does your job require CPR training?**

CPR certification is required or commonly expected in many careers—including several with specific Iowa requirements!

🩺 **Healthcare professionals & first responders** — CPR or Basic Life Support (BLS) certification is commonly required, depending on the position, employer and professional requirements.

🦷 **Dentists, dental hygienists & dental assistants** — Iowa requires current CPR certification that includes hands-on training.

👓 **Optometrists** — Current CPR certification through an in-person course is part of Iowa’s continuing education requirements.

🧸 **Child care providers** — Iowa requires CPR and First Aid training.

🏈 **School coaches applying for or renewing an Iowa coaching authorization** — CPR training from an approved provider is required.

👷 **Construction crews** — OSHA requires a person with valid First Aid certification to be available at the worksite when emergency medical care isn’t reasonably accessible. This general rule specifically requires First Aid; CPR is recommended.

🏊 **Other roles may require CPR, too!** Personal trainers, lifeguards, swim instructors, educators, caregivers and security personnel are among the careers highlighted by the American Red Cross. Requirements vary by role and employer.

Whether training is required for your job or you want a better-prepared team, knowing how to respond matters. ❤️

At **Central Iowa Health Certifications**, I come to your location and make training convenient and applicable—with hands-on practice and class options that fit your team’s needs.

📩 Reach out to schedule training—and check your certification’s expiration date!

10/07/2026

👀 CHECK. 📞 CALL. ❤️ CARE.

If you’ve taken a class with me, you’ve probably heard these three words A LOT! There’s a reason we return to them throughout Red Cross First Aid/CPR/AED training.

Emergencies can feel overwhelming. These three steps give you a starting point:

👀 **CHECK:** Is the scene safe? Check the person and look for life-threatening conditions.

📞 **CALL:** Call 911 when needed—or direct someone to call—and get emergency equipment, such as an AED.

❤️ **CARE:** Give care based on what you find and your level of training.

**Why do we repeat it so much?** Because hearing the words is different from practicing what to do. Repeating these steps during different scenarios helps make them familiar, so you have a plan to fall back on when you’re feeling stressed or unsure.

The situation may change, but these priorities help you protect yourself, get help on the way, and begin the care the person needs.

At Central Iowa Health Certifications, my goal is to help you feel prepared to do your best until professional help arrives. 💙

10/06/2026

❤️ **How young is too young to learn emergency skills?**

Kids can learn to help long before they’re ready for a full CPR class!

**Why teach kids?** An emergency can happen when a child is the only person nearby—or when the adult caring for them is the one who needs help. Learning simple steps gives kids a plan, builds confidence, and helps them get help sooner. They don’t have to do everything to make a difference! 💕

📞 **Around age 4: Start talking about 911.**
Teach what an emergency is, how to get a trusted adult, and how to call 911 if an adult can’t help. Some children this age can already make that call! Practice saying their name, location, and what happened, then listening to the dispatcher. Show them how to access the emergency call option on your phone. **Practice through pretend play, without actually dialing 911.**

🩹 **Elementary school: Build first aid basics.**
Teach kids to stay safe, recognize when someone needs help, get an adult, and find first aid supplies. Keep lessons simple and practice regularly.

👐 **School age: Introduce CPR compressions.**
Children can learn hand placement and practice on a CPR manikin before they’re strong enough to reach the proper depth. Around age 12 and older, many can perform effective CPR—but strength and ability vary.

🎓 **Red Cross certification: Readiness matters more than age!**
There is **no minimum age for standard Red Cross First Aid/CPR/AED certification.** Children must successfully complete the course requirements, including demonstrating the required CPR skills.

Even a child who can’t perform strong compressions can help by calling 911 or getting an AED. **Start small, practice often, and build skills as they grow!**

10/05/2026

❤️ **October is Sudden Cardiac Arrest Awareness Month!**

When someone experiences cardiac arrest, the person who makes a difference could be a coworker, friend, or family member. **Immediate CPR can double or even triple their chance of survival.**

Every second matters:
📞 Call 911.
👐 Begin CPR.
⚡ Use an AED as soon as it’s available and follow its prompts.

Is your team prepared to help? Knowing where your AED is located—and practicing how to respond—are great places to start.

At **Central Iowa Health Certifications**, I bring hands-on CPR and AED training directly to your workplace, helping your employees build the skills and confidence to act.

💬 Message me to schedule training. Let’s turn awareness into preparedness!