In a significant stride towards enhancing the safety of student athletes, Florida has recently enacted legislation mandating CPR and AED education for school nurses and sports coaches. This new law, signed by Governor DeSantis, aligns Florida with the Smart Heart Sports Coalition‘s nationwide initiative to improve cardiac emergency preparedness in schools and athletic programs.
This legislation underscores the importance of comprehensive CPR and AED training, providing essential tools for those responsible for young athletes. At Miami First Aid, we are dedicated to meeting these new compliance requirements with our robust training programs, ensuring all Miami-based professionals get the thorough education needed to meet these requirements and, more importantly, be prepared to save lives.
Understanding the New Legislation
The new Florida law requires that all school nurses and sports coaches be certified in CPR and AED use. This mandate aims to address the alarming issue of Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA) incidents among young athletes. With this legislation, Florida joins a select group of states that have adopted all three vital policies advocated by the Smart Heart Sports Coalition. These policies include ensuring access to AEDs, developing emergency action plans, and mandating CPR and AED training.
Despite this progress, two-thirds of states in the U.S. remain underprepared for SCA incidents, highlighting the need for broader adoption of life-saving measures. This legislative change in Florida is a significant step towards ensuring that all student athletes have access to timely and effective care in the event of a cardiac emergency.
Comprehensive Training at Miami First Aid
At Miami First Aid, we provide top-notch training programs that meet all compliance requirements set forth by the new Florida law. Our courses are designed to equip healthcare professionals, school nurses, and sports coaches with the necessary skills to respond effectively in emergencies. Here are our courses:
American Heart Association BLS for Healthcare Providers
Our Basic Life Support (BLS) course, aligned with the American Heart Association (AHA), trains participants to promptly recognize and respond to several life-threatening emergencies. This includes delivering high-quality chest compressions, providing appropriate ventilations, and using an AED effectively. The BLS course covers:
- High-quality CPR for adults, children, and infants
- The AHA Chain of Survival and BLS components
- The importance of early AED use
- Effective ventilations using a barrier device
- Team dynamics in multi-rescuer resuscitation scenarios
- Relief of foreign-body airway obstruction (choking) for adults and infants
This course is ideal for healthcare professionals and other personnel who need to perform CPR and other basic cardiovascular life support skills in various settings.
Blended Learning HeartCode® BLS
The HeartCode BLS course offers a blended learning experience that combines self-directed eLearning with hands-on skills practice. This course uses a personalized adaptive algorithm to guide students through the most efficient path to BLS mastery. The online portion is followed by a structured, instructor-led hands-on session focusing on practical skills and team scenarios. This format ensures that participants are well-prepared for real-life emergencies.
Red Cross Adult and Pediatric First Aid/CPR/AED
Our Adult and Pediatric First Aid/CPR/AED course, offered in partnership with the American Red Cross, provides comprehensive training for recognizing and responding to various first aid, breathing, and cardiac emergencies involving adults, children, and infants. This blended learning program includes an online portion and an instructor-led skills session. Successful completion of the course results in a valid 2-year digital certificate, satisfying OSHA workplace or other regulatory requirements.
Why Choose Miami First Aid?
With over 20 years of experience serving South Florida, Miami First Aid is a trusted provider of CPR, AED, and first aid training. Our courses are fully accredited and compliant with local regulations, ensuring that your certification is recognized and respected. Here are some key features of our training programs:
- Certified Instructors: Our classes are taught by certified paramedics, firefighters, nurses, and medical professionals with years of real-life experience.
- Hands-On Practice: Each student receives their own manikin, reducing class time and increasing hands-on practice.
- Multilingual Classes: We offer classes in English, Spanish, and Creole to cater to the diverse population of Miami. This ensures our courses are not only accessible but deliver the deepest level of understanding possible.
- Flexible Scheduling: Use our online calendar to find a class that fits your schedule and register today. Our classes are at convenient times in easy-to-reach locations, so you’ll be able to find a time and location that suits you.
By choosing Miami First Aid, you are ensuring that you receive the highest quality training that meets all current compliance laws, and equips you for life-and-death emergencies. Book your class now and be prepared to save lives.
For more information or to register for a class, see our Class Schedule. Join us in our mission to enhance cardiac safety and be prepared to make a difference in an emergency.
