Frequently Asked Questions

What is your cancellation policy?
Can I bring my baby to the Lil' Hearts Course?
Why would I choose to take CPR from Dr. Bones CPR instead of some other larger organization?
Where are the Dr. Bones CPR courses held?
How long is my CPR certification good for?
What Guidelines are the Dr. Bones CPR courses based on?
What are the most significant changes in the 2010 Guidelines for CPR?
Why did the CPR sequence change from A-B-C to C-A-B?
Does the new CPR sequence apply to all ages?
Now that new Guidelines for CPR have been released, is the “old” way of CPR not safe?
What are the key recommendations for healthcare professionals?
Will I further injure someone by moving them after an accident?
When you perform CPR, aren’t you breathing carbon dioxide into their lungs?
How can you tell if the CPR you're doing is working?

What is your cancellation policy?

We understand that things can happen. We will gladly refund your money or let you change your registration for another scheduled class if you've signed up for one of our classes if you contact us by phone or email at least two business days before your course. ie. If your class is on a Saturday - please let us know by Wednesday at 5pm.

Can I bring my baby to the Lil' Hearts Course?

We do allow parents to bring new babies to the course up to three months of age. We've found that older children can cause too much distraction.

Please note - if your baby does cause a significant distraction you may be asked to leave the classroom until the baby calms down.

Why would I choose to take CPR from Dr. Bones CPR instead of some
other larger organization?

At Dr. Bones CPR, we understand that some people – especially new parents – may feel intimidated by taking a CPR course. With Dr. Bones CPR, you’re in good hands. Our instructors are healthcare professionals – and as Registered Nurses, they provide the most thorough CPR training in a professional environment. Our lead instructor is also a new moms. So they do their utmost to ensure you learn in an environment that is relaxed and nurturing.

We understand your time is valuable - we also offer private class for small groups of one to three students. One of these courses can complete your HCP certification in around two hours. Our clients appreciate this effective use of their time as opposed to blocking out an entire day to get certified.

Where are the Dr. Bones CPR courses held?

Come visit our facility in St. Albert (200 Carnegie Drive, St. Albert). We have a great space for learning. It’s the best of both worlds – professional, with all the latest CPR training equipment, but with a relaxed atmosphere.

We can also come to you! Feel free to ask us about arranging an onsite visit to your facilities.

How long is my CPR certification good for?

Your CPR certification is good for one year. If an employer requires that their employees have a current CPR certification, each employee will need to be re-certified each year.

What Guidelines are the Dr. Bones CPR courses based on?

The Guidelines for our courses are based on the new 2010 Guidelines for CPR from the Heart & Stroke Foundation of Canada, which can be found at www.heartandstroke.ca/CPRguidelines

What are the most significant changes in the 2010 Guidelines for CPR?

There are a few major changes. One of the key changes is in the CPR sequence, from Airway-Breathing-Compressions (A-B-C) to Compression-Airway-Breathing (C-A-B). There is a continued emphasis on high quality chest compressions, but there is a recommendation that the chest should be depressed at least 2 inches instead of approximately 1 ½ to 2 inches, which was the recommendation in 2005. There is also a new recommendation that chest compressions should be performed at a rate of at least 100/min. (In 2005, the recommendation was to compress at a rate of “about 100/min”.)

The 2010 Guidelines also created a simplified universal algorithm for adult CPR. An algorithm is a sequence of actions depicted visually. It was created in an effort to simplify lay rescuer training and continue to emphasize the need for early chest compressions for adult victims of sudden cardiac arrest (SCA).

Why did the CPR sequence change from A-B-C to C-A-B?

This change allows rescuers to start chest compressions right away. It attempts to decrease the barriers to perform CPR by allowing the rescuer to start with chest compressions.

The vast majority of SCAs happen to adults who suffer a witnessed arrest and ventricular fibrillation (VS) or pulse-less ventricular tachycardia (VT). Critical elements of resuscitation for these victims are chest compressions and early defibrillation, which can begin earlier if there is no delay to open the airway and provide breaths.

Opening the airway takes time and delays the start of CPR. Using the C-A-B sequences lessens this delay.

Does the new CPR sequence apply to all ages?

The change applies to adults, children and infants. It does not apply to newborns. When rescuing a newborn, use the A-B-C CPR sequence with a 3:1 ratio of compression to breaths. Newborn cardiac arrest is most often respiratory.

Now that new Guidelines for CPR have been released, is the
“old” way of performing CPR not safe?

CPR involving the use of earlier Guidelines – including using the A-B-C sequence – is not unsafe or ineffective. People should continue to perform CPR in accordance to how they were last trained. That said, for healthcare professionals, local EMS and hospital protocols are determined by the medical director of those respective health systems and may be changed by those authorities at any time.

What are the key recommendations for healthcare professionals?

In accordance to the Heart & Stroke Foundation of Canada Guidelines, Dr. Bones CPR recommends the following:

• Learn effective teamwork techniques and practice them regularly
• Use quantitative monitoring and measuring of carbon dioxide output if you are a professional rescuer
• Make therapeutic hypothermia (or cooling) part of an overall interdisciplinary system of care after resuscitation from cardiac arrest
• Atropine is no longer recommended for routine use in managing and treating pulse-less electrical activity (PEA) or asystole

Will I further injure someone by moving them after an accident?

You should only move someone if it is unsafe or impossible to treat them where they are. If you have to move someone, keep their head and neck in their current position and make sure their head and neck are supported as much as possible.

When you perform CPR, aren’t you breathing carbon dioxide into their lungs?
How can that help them?

Normal air contains approximately 20% oxygen. When you exhale, your breath of air contains over 15% oxygen. When it enters the other person’s lungs, significant oxygen is still absorbed. The carbon dioxide that is mixed into your outgoing breath just comes right back out of the person on which you are performing CPR.

How can you tell if the CPR you're doing is working?

If you can see the chest rise and fall, air is entering their lungs. What you can’t tell is if your chest compressions are moving the blood through their body. It is important to know that spontaneous revival just from administering CPR is uncommon. Your goal is to keep oxygen circulating to the brain until emergency responders arrive to revive the person.