CPR, or cardiopulmonary resuscitation, is an emergency procedure that could save someone’s life if their heart stops or they stop breathing. In an emergency, providing CPR is crucial for everyone to know because you can save a life by properly resuscitating an SCA victim (sudden cardiac arrest).
US states have different laws and regulations in regard to performing CPR, whether as a professional or a bystander. In this article, we will cover the CPR Guidelines in Oklahoma including legal considerations, CPR guidelines for different professionals, CPR certification and training, and more. Read on to learn more.
Oklahoma Health Rankings
According to America’s Health Rankings, Oklahoma has an overall health ranking of 45 of 50, which is alarming. Oklahoma confronts issues linked to cardiovascular diseases and other cardiac conditions. The state’s heart-related records show how urgent it is for them to start resolving these problems since the prevalence of cardiovascular illnesses is 10.5% in the adult population. Also, premature death continues to rise, increasing by 12.5% since the 2019 report.
Jobs Requiring CPR Certification in Oklahoma
In Oklahoma, CPR certification is a requirement for many professionals whose job is directly linked with other people. CPR certification equips these professionals with the knowledge and capabilities to react efficaciously in emergencies.
According to Oklahoma’s CPR guidelines, the jobs below require CPR certification:
911 Operators
Oklahoma has taken a monumental step closer to improving emergency reactions and enhancing survival rates in cardiac arrest cases with the signing of the Haiden Fleming Memorial Act. The act, which mandates and budgets telecommunicator CPR (T-CPR) training for 911 operators, was signed in May, 2023.
The act, set to take effect on November 1, 2024, is a huge step towards equipping all 911 operators in the country with the potential to provide life-saving CPR instructions over the phone until medical help arrives.
EMS
EMS professionals in Oklahoma should gain a Healthcare Provider degree CPR/BLS certification, which includes critical competencies for providing help to adults, children, and toddlers.
It’s important to note that EMS professionals have the skills to save someone’s life from their previous education, but some facilities still need their CPR certifications renewed every 2 years. Complete schooling and certification are essential for EMS professionals to offer lifesaving care in emergency situations.
Athletic Coaches
Professionals concerned with directing or supervising physical activities, such as coaches and referees, are required to have CPR certification. This requirement ensures they can react immediately to any potentially dangerous cardiac activities. The Chase Morris Sudden Cardiac Arrest Prevention Act mandates a yearly CPR certification for all athletic coaches in order to prevent SCA in athletic sports.
Effective July 1, 2015, the act stipulates that coaches must complete cardiac arrest training from authorized providers by means of the Oklahoma State Department of Health (OSDH). Additionally, students and their guardians need to sign an information sheet describing the causes, warning signs, and risks of SCA in young athletes.
Dentists and Dental Hygienists
In Oklahoma, dentists and dental hygienists are required to maintain a CPR/BLS certification. The Oklahoma State Board of Dentistry mandates Healthcare Provider level BLS/CPR and AED certification. Also, most employers expect dental hygienists to be CPR certified.
Educational Facility Staff
In Oklahoma, teachers are required to hold Adult, Child, and Infant Pediatric CPR, AED, and First Aid certifications. The Oklahoma State Department of Education no longer mandates CPR certification for licensure; however, faculty districts determine the particular requirements for instructors upon employment.
Teachers specializing in PE, Nutrition, or Health courses may also have additional CPR certification requirements. It is critical for instructors to make sure they satisfy the CPR certification requirements set by their school district.
CPR Requirements in Oklahoma High Schools
In Oklahoma high schools, the importance of CPR knowledge and abilities is recognized as a crucial factor in schooling. According to the nation’s CPR guidelines and regulated by the Dustin Rhodes and Lindsay Steed CPR Training Act, starting from the 2015-2016 school year, all high school students need to take CPR training at least once before graduation.
Students receive instruction in CPR, AED use, and the Heimlich maneuver as part of any course by certified instructors. Students are not required to be certified in these techniques.
General CPR Guidelines
Here are some general guidelines regarding liability when providing CPR to victims.
Good Samaritan Laws and Their Applicability
The Good Samaritan laws in every state of the USA, provide legal immunity for people who are in situations where they should provide medical care, including CPR, to individuals who are in danger or hurt. These laws are the same in all states generally, but they do have some minor variations.
The Oklahoma-specific Good Samaritan Law demands that everyone is responsible for treating someone injured except if the injury is self-inflicted. If the person in need is unconscious, a good samaritan needs to assist with the assumption of consent to help. If the victim is conscious and doesn’t give permission to be helped, no one should try to help them. Under this law, everyone who provides emergency care is protected and never held accountable.
Liability Protection for Trained Responders
Trained responders like nurses and doctors in Oklahoma who render emergency assistance like CPR, assisted breathing, or preventing blood loss, aren’t held liable for damages in case the situation gets worse or if the victim dies. Similarly, professionals like doctors and dentists will not be held liable for civil damages in the case of emergency surgery or an operation provided as emergency help.
Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs)
AEDs are medical devices that are used in cardiac emergencies such as SCA. These machines can read the heart’s rhythm and deliver an electric shock in cases of cardiac arrest. This helps the heart return to its normal rhythm and save someone’s life.
Importance of AEDs
CPR may not be enough when someone suffers a medical emergency like cardiac arrest, so that’s where AEDs can help. Having the appropriate training on using an AED can help you save someone from almost certain death.
The brain of an SCA victim starts to feel the consequences of the lack of oxygen and can get damaged about five minutes into an SCA. Immediate help when someone has a cardiac emergency is crucial, heightening the chances of survival.
AED Guidelines in Oklahoma
Oklahoma has applied legislation to defend individuals and entities involved in the use of AEDs in emergency situations. It offers immunity from civil legal responsibility for individuals that give emergency care using an AED, as long as the action is done in goodwill, except in cases of gross negligence or willful misconduct.
The Statute additionally calls for AED proprietors to make sure to have the proper education in AED use. It’s also advisable to know how to take good care of the machine and test it regularly according to producer guidelines. People owning AEDs should notify the nearby ambulance of the AED unit’s location and file its use immediately in case of an emergency to the correct institution.
The state of Oklahoma requires every school and college to have an AED. The State Department of Education assists school districts in identifying potential funding sources for purchasing AEDs, recognizing private organizations or individuals that contribute to these efforts.
CPR Certification and Training in Oklahoma
Take the first step closer to becoming a quick responder in case of a cardiac emergency by enrolling in our CPR training and certification program at CPR Tulsa. We work according to every Oklahoma CPR guideline, and our certification is approved in the whole state. At CPR Tulsa, we provide comprehensive CPR training taught with the aid of skilled teachers devoted to equipping you with the abilities needed to take action in critical conditions.
Our training covers adult, child, and infant CPR strategies, appropriate AED usage, and critical first aid protocols. By staying up-to-date with the CPR guidelines set forth by the Oklahoma State Department of Health, our guides offer you correct and relevant information. Our program ensures compliance with the CPR certification necessities, granting you peace of mind as a responsible responder. Don’t wait for an emergency to strike. Take action and visit our website to learn more about our CPR training and certification.
Conclusion
Proper knowledge and training in CPR and AED can save someone’s life in emergencies. Generally, the CPR Guidelines in Oklahoma are the same as in every state. Always remember that your help matters, and in case something terrible happens that no one could have predicted or foreseen, the good samaritan law protects you as someone with goodwill without being liable for civil damages.