How to Create a Family Emergency Plan this 2026

With busy schedules this 2026, having a family emergency plan helps everyone stay calm, prepared, and safe.

A little planning now can make a big difference when seconds matter.

Understand Common Daily Risks

Start by talking as a family about emergencies that are more likely during regular days, such as:

  • Sudden cardiac events

  • Choking during large meals

  • Burns from cooking, candles, or heaters

  • Slips and falls due to winter conditions

  • Travel-related incidents

  • Power outages or severe weather

Being aware of these risks helps you prepare with confidence rather than fear.

Create an Emergency Contact Plan

Make sure everyone in your household knows:

  • How and when to call 911

  • Important emergency contacts

  • Where emergency numbers are posted

Save contacts on phones and post a printed list in a visible area of your home.

Assign Simple Emergency Roles

During an emergency, clear roles reduce panic. Decide ahead of time:

  • Who calls for emergency help

  • Who begins CPR or First Aid (if trained)

  • Who retrieves the first aid kit or AED

  • Who cares for children, seniors, or pets

Practicing these roles builds confidence and speed.

Prepare and Check Your First Aid Kit

Check your First Aid Kit and restock for lacking supplies with:

  • Bandages, gauze, and antiseptic

  • Burn relief and cold packs

  • Gloves and CPR masks

  • Thermometer and essential medications

Keep kits accessible at home and while traveling.

Learn CPR and Basic First Aid

Many medical emergencies happen at home, often witnessed by family members. Knowing CPR, Hands-Only CPR, AED use, and choking response can save a life before professional help arrives.

Plan for Travel Safety

If you’re traveling:

  • Share itineraries with trusted family members

  • Know nearby hospitals or urgent care locations

  • Keep emergency supplies in your car

  • Make sure phones and chargers are ready

Preparation adds peace of mind wherever you go.

Include Children in the Plan

Teach children age-appropriate safety skills, such as:

  • Recognizing emergencies

  • How to call 911

  • Knowing their home address

  • Identifying trusted adults

Empowering kids helps them stay calm and act safely.

Practice Your Plan Together

Review your emergency plan:

  • Before guests arrive

  • Before travel

  • When staying in a new location

Even brief practice makes responses more automatic during real emergencies.

Know Where Emergency Equipment Is Located

If your home or building has an AED:

  • Make sure everyone knows where it is

  • Check that it’s ready to use

CPR combined with early AED use greatly improves survival.

 

A Heartfelt Thanksgiving Message from First Support CPR & First Aid Training

As Thanksgiving arrives, we at First Support CPR & First Aid Training want to pause, reflect, and express our deepest gratitude to the communities we proudly serve across San Jose and the Bay Area. This season is a reminder of what truly matters—family, connection, and the ability to help one another when it counts the most.

Thank You to Our Students: Everyday Heroes in Training

Whether you completed your CPR/AED class, BLS certification, First Aid course, or our hybrid online-plus-in-person training, we are incredibly grateful for your commitment. Every skill you learn has the potential to save a life. Your dedication makes workplaces safer, schools more prepared, and homes better equipped during emergencies.

Gratitude for Our Healthcare Providers

To every nurse, medical assistant, EMT, dental professional, caregiver, and healthcare worker who trained with us this year—thank you. Your willingness to stay certified, informed, and ready makes a tremendous impact in our community’s health and safety.

Appreciating Our Schools, Workplaces, and Community Partners

We extend our warmest thanks to the schools, daycare centers, corporate offices, gyms, security teams, and organizations that have trusted First Support CPR to provide their life-saving training. Your investment in safety helps build a stronger and more resilient community.

Why Thanksgiving Is a Perfect Time to Refresh Your Skills

With holiday gatherings, travel, and seasonal activities, emergencies can happen without warning. Thanksgiving is a meaningful reminder that:

  • Cardiac Arrest can happen anywhere, even at home.

  • Knowing CPR can double or triple someone’s chance of survival.

  • Quick action matters—and trained rescuers make all the difference.

If it has been a year or more since your training, now is a great time to consider a refresher.

Looking Ahead: A Safer, Stronger 2026

As we approach the end of the year, we’re excited to introduce improved training options, expanded availability, and enhanced hybrid learning experiences—making certification more accessible than ever.

Our mission remains the same:
To empower every individual, family, and organization with the knowledge and confidence to save a life.

From Our First Support CPR Family to Yours

We wish you a Thanksgiving filled with warmth, gratitude, and meaningful moments. Thank you for being part of our journey and for allowing us to be part of yours.

Stay safe. Stay prepared. Stay heart-ready. ❤️

Holiday & Winter Safety: Tips to Keep Your Family Safe This Season

The holiday season brings joy, celebration, and quality time with the people we love. But with colder temperatures, busy schedules, and festive activities, winter can also bring increased risks. Whether you’re preparing your home for gatherings, traveling, or simply braving the chilly weather, keeping safety in mind can help ensure a peaceful and healthy season.

Below are essential Holiday & Winter Safety Tips to keep you and your family safe.

🎄 1. Home Safety During the Holidays

Check Your Decorations

  • Inspect lights for frayed wires or broken bulbs.

  • Use flame-resistant or non-combustible decorations.

  • Keep candles at least 12 inches away from anything flammable—or switch to LED candles for added safety.

Christmas Tree Safety

  • If using a real tree, water it daily to prevent drying and reduce fire risk.

  • Keep your tree away from heat sources like fireplaces, radiators, or space heaters.

  • Ensure your tree is secured so children and pets can’t topple it.

Fireplace & Heating

  • Have your chimney cleaned and inspected.

  • Keep space heaters at least three feet away from anything flammable.

  • Always turn them off before going to bed or leaving home.

❄️ 2. Winter Weather Preparedness

Bundle Up Properly

Cold temperatures increase the risk of hypothermia and frostbite.

  • Wear layers, waterproof boots, hats, and gloves.

  • Keep extra clothing in your car during travel.

Drive Safely

Winter weather leads to slippery roads.

  • Check tire pressure and tread.

  • Keep an emergency kit: blankets, flashlight, snacks, water, scraper, and first-aid kit.

  • Drive slowly on icy or snowy roads and maintain a safe distance.

Prevent Slips & Falls

  • Use salt or sand on walkways.

  • Wear footwear with good traction.

  • Take shorter, more deliberate steps on ice.

🏠 3. Indoor Safety

Cooking Safety

Holiday cooking is one of the leading causes of home fires.

  • Never leave cooking food unattended.

  • Keep flammable items—like towels and oven mitts—away from the stove.

  • Turn pot handles inward to prevent spills and burns.

Child Safety

With decorations, hot drinks, and crowded homes, extra precautions help:

  • Keep small objects and ornaments out of reach of young children.

  • Watch for choking hazards in holiday treats.

  • Secure heavy furniture and TVs if hosting young guests.

🚗 4. Travel Safety

Plan Ahead

  • Check weather forecasts before heading out.

  • Keep your phone charged and bring a car charger.

  • Share your travel plans with a friend or family member.

Stay Alert

Busy holiday roads mean more distractions.

  • Avoid driving when tired or after drinking.

  • Buckle up—every person, every ride.

❤️ 5. Health & Wellness Tips

Prevent Winter Illness

  • Wash hands often.

  • Get enough sleep and stay hydrated.

  • Keep your home well-ventilated to prevent the spread of germs.

Stay Safe Around Carbon Monoxide

  • Install carbon monoxide detectors.

  • Never use a gas stove or oven for heat.

  • Have your furnace inspected annually.

🧯 6. Emergency Preparedness

Winter emergencies can happen unexpectedly.

  • Make sure smoke alarms are working.

  • Create and review a family emergency plan.

  • Take a CPR & First Aid class—you never know when you may need to help someone in an emergency.

The holidays are meant to be a time of warmth, joy, and connection. By taking a few extra precautions, you can protect yourself, your family, and your home while enjoying the magic of the season. Whether you’re decorating, cooking, traveling, or simply staying cozy indoors, safety should always be part of your winter routine.

Stay safe, stay warm, and have a wonderful holiday season! ❄️🎁✨

October is Sudden Cardiac Arrest Awareness Month: Why Restart a Heart Day Matters

Every October, health organizations, instructors, and communities around the world unite to raise awareness about Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA)—a life-threatening emergency that can happen to anyone, anywhere, at any time. October is officially recognized as Sudden Cardiac Arrest Awareness Month, and on October 16th, we mark Restart a Heart Day, a global campaign dedicated to teaching people the importance of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and early defibrillation.

At First Support CPR & First Aid Training, we believe that knowledge saves lives. Understanding SCA and learning how to respond can be the difference between life and death.

What is Sudden Cardiac Arrest?

Sudden Cardiac Arrest is not the same as a heart attack. While a heart attack happens when blood flow to the heart is blocked, SCA occurs when the heart suddenly stops beating due to an electrical malfunction. This causes the person to collapse, stop breathing normally, and lose consciousness within seconds. Without immediate help, SCA is almost always fatal.

Why CPR and AEDs Matter

  • CPR keeps blood flowing. High-quality chest compressions can maintain oxygenated blood circulation until advanced care arrives.

  • AEDs restart the heart. Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) can analyze the heart rhythm and deliver a shock if needed. They are simple to use—even for people with no medical background.

  • Minutes matter. For every minute without CPR or defibrillation, survival chances decrease by 7–10%. Quick action saves lives.

Restart a Heart Day – October 16th

On October 16th, the world comes together to promote the importance of CPR and AED use. This initiative, supported by organizations like the European Resuscitation Council (ERC), the American Heart Association (AHA), and local CPR training providers, reminds us that anyone can be a lifesaver.

It’s not just about awareness—it’s about action. The more people trained in CPR, the more lives we can save.

How You Can Make a Difference

  • Get Trained: Enroll in a CPR and First Aid class with First Support CPR.

  • Refresh Your Skills: If you’re already certified, take a refresher course to stay sharp.

  • Spread Awareness: Share information about SCA and Restart a Heart Day on social media and with your community.

  • Locate AEDs: Familiarize yourself with where AEDs are located in your workplace, school, gym, or community spaces.

Cardiac Arrest is sudden, silent, and often unexpected—but it doesn’t have to be fatal. With CPR and AED training, anyone can be ready to step in and save a life.

This October, let’s not just raise awareness—let’s take action.
Join us for a class at First Support CPR, and become the link in the chain of survival that someone may one day desperately need.

What to Expect from CPR Training this month of July 2025: New Guidelines, Smarter Tools & Life-Saving Skills.

As we move through 2025, CPR training continues to evolve with the latest research and technology. Whether you’re a healthcare provider, a business owner, or a concerned parent, staying up to date with current CPR guidelines is essential for saving lives when it matters most.

This July, CPR courses across the country—including those offered by First Support CPR in San Jose—will be guided by updated best practices from respected organizations like the American Heart Association (AHA) and the European Resuscitation Council (ERC).

Here’s what’s new and what you can expect from your next CPR class.

🔑 Key Focus Areas in 2025 CPR Training

✅ 1. High-Quality Chest Compressions

Proper compressions are at the heart of effective CPR. Expect a strong focus on:

  • A rate of 100–120 compressions per minute

  • A depth of at least 2 inches (5 cm) in adults

  • Full chest recoil between compressions

  • Minimal interruptions during compressions

High-quality compressions improve blood flow to the brain and heart—and can significantly increase a person’s chance of survival.

✅ 2. Minimizing Interruptions

Every pause in compressions reduces the likelihood of survival.
Modern CPR training emphasizes continuous compressions, especially during transitions like rescue breaths, AED use, or team changes.

✅ 3. AED Proficiency

Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) save lives, but only when used correctly.
Training in 2025 emphasizes:

  • Quickly locating and activating AEDs

  • Proper pad placement

  • Following voice prompts confidently

  • Resuming CPR immediately after the shock

You’ll learn to stay calm, follow instructions, and use AEDs even in high-pressure scenarios.

✅ 4. Hands-Only CPR for Bystanders

For those who aren’t medical professionals, Hands-Only CPR—chest compressions without rescue breaths—is still a key takeaway.
It’s fast, simple, and effective enough to make a difference until help arrives. This method is ideal for workplace settings, schools, and public environments.

✅ 5. Technology & Feedback Devices

Expect to see more smart mannequins and feedback tools in CPR training sessions. These help you measure:

  • Compression depth and rate

  • Hand placement accuracy

  • Breath volume (if applicable)

This ensures better skill retention and real-time correction during training.

✅ 6. Special Situations & Case-Based Scenarios

Modern CPR courses are increasingly personalized. Expect modules or add-ons addressing:

  • Drowning-related cardiac arrest

  • Hypothermia and cold water rescues

  • Opioid overdose and naloxone use

This prepares you for real-world challenges beyond textbook examples.

✅ 7. When to Stop CPR: Termination Guidelines

AHA and ERC training now includes clear guidance on when to stop resuscitation efforts, based on time, clinical signs, and professional discretion.

June is CPR & AED Awareness Month – Be the Beat That Saves a Life

june-is-cpr-aed-aWARENESS-MONTH-First-Support-CPR-and-First-Aid-Training.png

Every second counts when a cardiac emergency happens. And every year, thousands of lives are saved thanks to bystanders who step up with CPR. That’s why June is recognized as National CPR & AED Awareness Month — a time to raise awareness, refresh our skills, and remind ourselves how powerful our actions can be.

At First Support CPR & First Aid Training, we believe you can be the difference between life and death — and we’re here to show you how.

🚨 Why CPR Training Matters More Than Ever

  • Over 350,000 cardiac arrests happen outside of hospitals in the U.S. each year.

  • Nearly 70% happen at home, where a loved one becomes the first responder.

  • CPR, especially if performed immediately, can double or even triple a person’s chance of survival.

Despite these facts, most people don’t feel confident enough to act in an emergency.

We’re changing that!

 

💡 Did You Know?

The American Heart Association recommends refreshing CPR skills every year to stay up-to-date with the latest techniques and confidently respond in an emergency. Even if your certification lasts 2 years, a lot can change—especially under pressure.

🧡 This Year’s Theme: “Be the Beat”

The AHA’s 2025 campaign theme reminds us that we are the rhythm that keeps hearts beating when crisis hits. You don’t have to be a doctor or a nurse to save a life—just someone willing to learn and act.

At First Support CPR, we make it easy, engaging, and empowering.

📍 CPR & AED Classes in San Jose – Join Us!

Located right here in 2262 N. First St. San Jose, CA, we offer hands-on CPR and First Aid training for:

👶 Parents & Grandparents
🎓 Teachers & School Staff
🏡 Babysitters & Nannies
🧑‍⚕️ Healthcare Workers
💼 Small Business Teams
🧍‍♀️ Anyone who wants to be prepared

👉 [Book your CPR class now]
📅 Classes fill up fast for CPR Month—don’t wait!

🙌 Be the Reason Someone Gets a Second Chance

Learning CPR is more than checking a box. It’s about having the courage to step up when it matters most.

This June, take the first step. Or take it again.

Be the beat that saves a life.

Ready to train with us?
📞 Call us at ‪(408) 475-7724‬
🌐 Visit https://firstsupportcpr.com
📍 2262 N. First St. San Jose, CA
📩 info@firstsupportcpr.co

Things to know to save a life with CPR

things to know about cpr

When a heart stops, every second’s matter. But too often, when someone has a cardiac arrest away from a hospital, people in a position to help don’t.

Misunderstandings about CPR can keep people from acting. That costs lives. We asked experts to help clear things up.

If you see a teen or adult suddenly collapse, call 911 and don’t wait for professional rescuers.

Each minute that CPR is delayed decreases the odds of survival by about 10%, research has shown. But having a bystander perform CPR doubles or triples the chances of surviving.

One of the biggest misconceptions about CPR, is that you can harm someone in cardiac arrest.

The biggest risk is not doing something. Whether it’s concerns about legality, propriety or breaking bones, there is actually more potential harm by not doing or participating in providing bystander CPR when somebody collapses in front of you.” Good Samaritan laws protect people who step in to provide lifesaving care.

If someone’s heart has stopped, they’re already dead. So any problems caused by CPR are not as bad as not doing CPR.

The steps for responding to a cardiac arrest, according to the AHA, are:

– Check for responsiveness.

– Call 911 or, if other people are on hand, have a second bystander make the call. 911 operators can guide rescuers through CPR.

– Begin CPR while a second bystander retrieves an automated external defibrillator, or AED, if one is nearby. Do not stop CPR to go look for an AED.

To perform CPR, place the heel of one hand in the center of the chest. Place the other hand on top and interlock the fingers. Push straight down hard and fast at 100 to 120 beats a minute. 

Training is great, and refresher courses are important, But you “absolutely” do not required to have a card to perform CPR.

If you see someone collapse, shake the patient gently and ask, “Are you OK?”

If they are not breathing or are breathing with “agonal breaths,” when breathing is abnormal or it appears the person is gasping for air, start CPR.

People used to be told to check for a pulse. Find the spot in the middle of the chest, between the nipples and start pressing hard and fast.

Chest compressions might require opening or cutting away someone’s bulky clothing or removing a bra to reach the middle of their chest or apply AED pads. “It is important that people also have an image of how they would do that because even though it may be a little uncomfortable, they can save a life.

Don’t be wary of breathing into a stranger. These days, training emphasizes hands-only CPR for the first few minutes, which has been shown to be as effective as conventional CPR with rescue breaths in the first few minutes after cardiac arrest in adults and teens.

Mouth-to-mouth resuscitation – two rescue breaths after every 30 compressions – is important, however, for infants and children and if someone’s heart stopped because of choking or drowning, compressions-only is still great.

If someone falls in a twisted position, you might have to straighten them out to get them on their back. If they are on a bed or couch, it is best to lower them to the ground so that CPR can be performed on a firm surface.

Some people think they’ll never need to use CPR. They’ll say, “My family’s healthy,” or they think it’s unlikely they’ll encounter anybody who needs help. 

Research shows more than 70% of cardiac arrests happen in a home or private residence. Learning CPR should be part of any family’s safety plans,

Taking a CPR course will help people know how to respond during an emergency situation.