Heart Start Training Services

11/18/2025

Do you know the difference between a heart attack and sudden cardiac arrest? Understanding what each medical emergency is can affect how it's treated.

Get to know the symptoms and emergency care at our next First Aid/CPR/AED training class on Thursday, December 4, at Wings Event Center in Kalamazoo.

For more details and to register, go to www.heartstart101.com

⚡️ Myth: Sudden cardiac arrest and a heart attack are the same thing.

✅ Fact: They’re not the same. A heart attack happens when blood flow to the heart is blocked. Sudden cardiac arrest is an electrical malfunction that causes the heart to stop beating suddenly.

Knowing the difference can save a life. ❤️

10/31/2025

Happy Halloween!

Keep the night fun and fright-free by following these tips, courtesy of the American Red Cross:

- Trick-or-treating: Stick to sidewalks, cross at corners, and add reflective tape or glow sticks to costumes and treat bags.

- Handing out candy: Turn on your porch light, clear walkways of décor, and keep pets away from the door and your candy.

- Hitting up a Halloween party: Plan a safe ride home, stay with friends, and keep an eye on your surroundings.

10/28/2025

We love our first responders and recognize their courage and sacrifice to help us in times of need.

Happy ! Thank you to all EMS and fire-rescue teams who care for kids.

Find resources to support you in providing high-quality prehospital pediatric care here: https://ow.ly/b5NW50PY9M8

National Association of Emergency Medical Technicians
International Association of EMS Chiefs - IAEMSC
IAFC - International Association of Fire Chiefs
The National Association of EMS Physicians - Naemsp
National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT)
National Volunteer Fire Council
U. S. First Responders Association

10/22/2025

🌀 Myth vs. Fact 🌀

Myth: A few minutes without CPR or a defibrillator won’t make much difference.
Fact: Every minute without CPR or defibrillation reduces survival chances by 7–10%. 💓⚡

Time is critical. Learn CPR and be ready to save a life!

Know the risks and be prepared: https://www.sca-aware.org/about-sudden-cardiac-arrest/be-prepared (link in bio!)

10/17/2025

10/16/2025

This sounds like a very scary situation, especially when a young, seemingly healthy person loses consciousness.

Would you know what to do for a sudden cardiac arrest? Learn more at one of our classes in Kalamazoo! Our next class is Thursday, October 23, at Wings Event Center.

Or, we can come to your place of business and train your employees. Our instructor is a nationally-registered EMT with over 10 years in emergency care.

To register, or for more information, go to www.heartstart101.com.

10/07/2025

Knowing how to respond to sudden cardiac arrest can help save a life.

Our classes teach you the necessary skills to help. Go to www.heartstart101.com to register!

October is Sudden Cardiac Arrest Awareness Month. Discover why CPR and AED training matter and how quick action can save lives when seconds count.

09/26/2025

Knowing how to correctly apply a tourniquet can mean the difference between life or death.

If you take one of our First Aid/CPR classes, you will learn when and how to use a tourniquet. Go to www.heartstart101.com for class information, and to register.

On Friday, September 19, 2025, at approximately 6:59 a.m., Washington County Division of Emergency Services were dispatched to a personal injury accident at the intersection of Greencastle Pike and Elliott Parkway. Responders arrived to find that a motorcycle had collided head-on with a tractor-trailer, leaving the rider critically injured.

Before first responders reached the scene, Washington County Stormwater and Watershed Services employee Alex Reed acted without hesitation, providing lifesaving aid.

To read the full release, visit https://conta.cc/46ymK1d

09/19/2025

This story tells the importance of knowing how to perform CPR, especially if the person having a heart attack is a loved one. The circumstances for this story are incredible: an EMT daughter saving the life of her firefighter father.

Would you know what to do in a medical emergency or suspected heart attack? Register for one of our classes to get certified! Go to www.heartstart101.com.

09/18/2025

World Stroke Campaign starts soon. Do you know the signs of stroke?

09/16/2025

If you live in the Kalamazoo area, you may know that Wings West has permanently closed, as of Friday, September 12. It had been the "home" of our training classes for almost 10 years.

We are fortunate that the folks at Wings Event Center have offered a new location at their facility for training classes, starting in October.

Our training schedule has had to change slightly to accommodate availability at Wings Event Center, so please check our website (www.heartstart101.com) for updated information.

Looking forward to seeing you at our new location!

08/07/2025

Seeing a loved one choking can be scary. Health and Safety Institute (HSI) has tips on how to help adults and children.

🍽️ A family meal on vacation shouldn’t turn into a medical emergency.

Do you know what to do if your child (or another adult) starts choking?

👶 Infants under 1:
🔹5 back slaps (between shoulder blades)
🔹5 chest thrusts (2 fingers, center of the chest)
🔹Repeat until object is out or baby goes unresponsive

👪 Adults & children over 1:
🔹Stand (or kneel) behind them
🔹Thrust inward & upward
🔹Repeat until the object is cleared or they go unresponsive

More first aid tips ➡️ https://hubs.ly/Q03zM20t0