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. ❤️

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.

Cardiovascular Diseases

Overview

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the number 1 cause of death globally, taking an estimated 17.8 million lives each year 31% globally. 75% of CVDs death occur in low and middle income countries. 85% of all CVDs are due to heart attack and strokes. 

CVDs are a group of disorders of the heart and blood vessels and include coronary heart disease, cerebrovascular disease, rheumatic heart disease and other conditions. Four out of 5CVD deaths are due to heart attacks and strokes, and one third of these deaths occur prematurely in people under 70 years of age.

Individuals at risk of CVD may demonstrate raised blood pressure, glucose, and lipids as well as overweight and obesity. These can all be easily measured in primary care facilities. Identifying those at highest risk of CVDs and ensuring they receive appropriate treatment can prevent premature deaths. Access to essential noncommunicable disease medicines and basic health technologies in all primary health care facilities is essential to ensure that those in need receive treatment and counselling.

Symptoms

Millions of people worldwide struggle to control the risk factors that lead to cardiovascular disease, many others remain unaware that they are at high risk. A large number of heart attacks and strokes can be prevented by controlling major risk factors through lifestyle interventions and drug treatment where necessary.

The risk factors for CVD include behavioural factors, such as tobacco use, an unhealthy diet, harmful use of alcohol and inadequate physical activity, and physiological factors, including high blood pressure (hypertension), high blood cholesterol and high blood sugar or glucose which are linked to underlying social determinants and drivers, such as ageing, income and urbanization.