American Red Cross Health & Safety Course Registration  How can I register for a course date that I have seen on your web site?    How actively must I participate in class?    What if I’m late to class or do not attend?    Can I transfer or cancel a class?    Can lost certificates be replaced? Sudden Cardiac Arrest and AEDs  What is sudden cardiac arrest (SCA)?    How common is SCA and who is at risk?    What is the current treatment for sudden cardiac arrest?    What is the cardiac chain of survival?    What is an automated external defibrillator (AED)?  How does an AED work?  If an AED is so easy to use, why do I need training?    How can I get trained in the use of an AED?    Who can use an AED?    Where can I find AEDs?

How can I register for a course date that I have seen on your website?

Call our registration desk at 601-353-5442 to register with your contact information and payment by credit or debit card. You can also mail us your registration information with a check. Make sure to include your name, address, phone, e-mail and requested course date. We will send you confirmation the same way you sign up. NOTE: If the payment and the registration do not have the same name, be sure to mark your payment with the name of the person you wish to register.
 
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How actively must I participate in class?

You’ll learn more – and have more fun – by participating as much as possible. Most classes include videos, group discussions and skills practice that require you to participate in hands-on activities. Since some of the skills practice takes place on the floor, please wear comfortable, non-restrictive clothing. To receive certification, you must attend all class sessions and pass both skills and knowledge testing.
 
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What if I’m late to class or do not attend?

Late arrivals are admitted at the discretion of the instructor, but tardiness may affect certification. A refund will not be provided if you arrive too late or miss a scheduled class.
 
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Can I transfer or cancel a class?

If you need to transfer or cancel a class, please let us know at least two full business days in advance to give some one else an opportunity to register for that spot in class. Please be sure to call the course registration desk during regular business hours (8:30- 4:30) at 601-353-5442 or e-mail us at davisb@usa.redcross.org. A $10 processing fee will be assessed for all refunds or transfers. A $10 processing fee will be due for any transfers done prior to the class but with 2 business days notice. A $20 processing fee will be due for any refunds requested prior to the class but without 2 business days notice. No notice given of cancellation will result in no refund or transfer of fee.
 
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Can lost certificates be replaced?

Yes. We can send you replacement certificates for any courses you have attended for a fee of $5.00. Simply provide the course name, location and completion dates to us along with payment.
 
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Sudden cardiac arrest cases are usually due to abnormal heart rhythms called arrhythmias, the vast majority of which are ventricular fibrillation. Ventricular fibrillation is a condition in which the heart's electrical impulses suddenly become chaotic, causing the heart to cease pumping blood effectively. Victims of SCA collapse and quickly lose consciousness, often without warning. Unless a normal heart rhythm is restored, death will follow within a matter of minutes. The cause of sudden cardiac arrest is not well understood. Many victims have no history of heart disease, or if heart disease is present, it has not functionally impaired them. Unlike a heart attack, which is the death of muscle tissue from loss of blood supply, many victims of SCA have no prior symptoms. SCA can strike anyone, at any time, anywhere.
 
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How common is SCA and who is at risk?

SCA is one of the leading causes of death in the United States. It strikes more than 200,000 Americans each year: nearly one death every two minutes.
 
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What is the current treatment for sudden cardiac arrest?

The cardiac chain of survival is the current treatment for sudden cardiac arrest.
 
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What is the cardiac chain of survival?

The cardiac chain of survival is a series of four critical steps. All four steps of the chain must be present to help ensure survival from sudden cardiac arrest. The four steps are:

• Step one: Early access to care (calling 9-1-1 or another emergency number)

• Step two: Early cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR)

• Step three: Early defibrillation

• Step four: Early advanced cardiac life support, as needed

The third step, delivering an electrical shock to the heart, which is known as defibrillation, is recognized as the most critical step in restoring cardiac rhythm and resuscitating a victim of SCA.
 
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What is an automated external defibrillator (AED)?

An AED is a device about the size of a laptop computer that analyzes the heart's rhythm for any abnormalities and, if necessary, directs the rescuer to deliver an electrical shock to the victim. This shock, called defibrillation, may help the heart to reestablish an effective rhythm of its own.
 
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How does an AED work?

An AED is easy to operate. It uses voice prompts to instruct the rescuer. Once the machine is turned on, the rescuer will be prompted to apply two electrodes provided with the AED to the victim's chest. Once applied, the AED will begin to monitor the victim's heart rhythm. If a "shockable" rhythm is detected, the machine will charge itself and instruct the rescuer to stand clear of the victim and to press the shock button.
 
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If an AED is so easy to use, why do I need training?

Training is necessary in order to understand the role of defibrillation in the broader context of the cardiac chain of survival. Training in CPR and AED skills will enable the rescuer to use all the steps in the cardiac chain of survival, thereby significantly increasing the victim's chance of survival.
 
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How can I get trained in the use of an AED?

Contact your American Red Cross. In Jackson and the surrounding area call 601-853-5442 click on the "Training Calendar" link above for a listing of training classes. The Red Cross offers half-day courses that include CPR and AED skills and comprehensive, daylong sessions that also include first aid. These interactive courses are taught by certified Red Cross instructors and use hands-on practice scenarios and videos that reflect a variety of situations. Each participant receives a skills card for use during in-class practice sessions. The skills cards can also aid in retaining skills after completing the course and serves as a quick reference tool in an emergency.
 
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Who can use an AED?

In most cases, EMTs and first responders (police and firefighters) are required to know how to use an AED as part of their job responsibilities. Furthermore, all 50 states now have AED Good Samaritan provisions that help protect laypersons. Contact your local or state emergency medical services ("EMS") department to find out about Good Samaritan protections that your state provides for users of AEDs.
 
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Where can I find AEDs?

AEDs can be found in corporate offices, shopping malls, airports, sports stadiums, schools, community centers, and other places where large groups of people gather and the risk of a sudden cardiac arrest incident is very likely. The number of devices in the community will continue to grow as more and more people begin to understand the importance of AEDs and AED training
 
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