CPR Basics
Simple, step-by-step guides for bystander CPR that focus on what actually matters in the first critical minutes.
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Student-led nonprofit
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Free life-saving education
Pulse Initiative
What is PULSE Initiative?
PULSE Initiative is a student-driven non-profit organization based in Los Angeles and Ventura County, dedicated to providing emergency education and building peer health leaders. PULSE stands for Public Understanding of Life-Saving Education, which reflects our core purpose: helping students understand critical emergency skills and equipping them to confidently teach those skills to others. While we are working toward becoming a nonprofit with chapters on college campuses, our current focus is training students who can bring life-saving awareness into their communities.
We design free resources and student-friendly workshops so peer educators can bring life-saving knowledge into:
- High school and college clubs
- Classrooms, sports teams, and performing arts groups
- Local community organizations and events
Our Mission
Our mission as the PULSE Initiative is to educate, equip, and inspire students to recognize emergencies, act with confidence, and teach others vital life-saving skills. Beyond our campus, we aim to strengthen community preparedness by training peer educators who can share these techniques in local schools, organizations, and public spaces, helping reduce preventable injuries, overdoses, and deaths through accessible awareness and outreach.
We provide instruction on essential emergency topics such as:
- Basic first aid
- Overdose recognition and response
- How to administer naloxone (Narcan)
- Heart attack and stroke recognition
- Anaphylaxis recognition + EpiPen use
- CPR and AED awareness
- Control of life-threatening bleeding
- When and how to activate Emergency Medical Services
- and more
Learn, Practice, Then Teach
Our resources are designed so you can quickly understand core skills, apply them in an emergency, and confidently teach your friends, classmates, and family.
Overdose Response
Learn how to spot an opioid overdose, call for help, and safely administer naloxone (Narcan).
Learn more →First Aid Skills
Bleeding control, burns, and other first aid basics you can use in everyday emergencies.
Learn more →Peer Education
Turn what you learn into workshops, club presentations, and campus events that strengthen your community.
Learn more →Our journey
How We Started & Where We’re Going
PULSE Initiative is growing into a student-led network that strengthens community preparedness. We’re developing accessible training, adaptable slide decks, and ready-to-share activities so students can confidently lead conversations about emergency response wherever they are.
Right now, we’re piloting resources and workshops across Los Angeles and Ventura County. The next step is building campus chapters that partner with clubs and classrooms to make life-saving education a consistent part of student life.
How We’re Building Momentum
A quick look at our current projects and what’s next.
Current projects: Resources & peer training
We’re focused on clear, shareable content and student-led workshops in LA & Ventura County so peers feel ready to act and ready to teach.
Future vision: Campus chapters
We’re working toward PULSE chapters on college and community college campuses that host trainings, partner with clubs, and keep life-saving education visible.
Follow our journey. Stay updated as we grow from a small student project into a network of campus-based life-saving educators.
Free Life-Saving Resources
Use these resources to learn core skills, then adapt them into slides, handouts, or TikToks for your school, club, or community.
CPR Basics
Bystander CPR: Step-by-Step
A clear checklist for recognizing cardiac arrest, starting hard, fast compressions, and using an AED if one is available.
Checklist
Recognition
Recognizing Heart Attack & Stroke
Learn warning signs you can spot early and simple actions to take before EMS arrives.
Signs & symptoms
Overdose
Recognizing an Opioid Overdose
Spot key overdose signs, protect yourself, and activate EMS quickly when every minute matters.
Scenario-based
Naloxone
How to Use Naloxone (Narcan)
A quick guide to intranasal naloxone, including when to give it, how to spray it, and what to watch for afterward.
Step-by-step
First Aid
Bleeding & Burn Basics
Simple, memorable steps for bleeding control and burn care that anyone can learn.
Skill sheet
Peer Education
Host a 20-Minute PULSE Workshop
A mini-lesson plan you can use for clubs, classes, or dorm meetings, with talking points and practice ideas.
Workshop plan
Common Questions
Quick answers to the questions students ask most about CPR, overdose response, and getting involved with PULSE.
Do I need to be certified to give CPR?
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In many places, Good Samaritan laws protect bystanders who try to help in an emergency. Formal CPR certification is great, but you don’t have to be certified to start compressions if someone is unresponsive and not breathing normally. Doing something is almost always better than doing nothing.
Is naloxone (Narcan) safe to use?
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Yes. Naloxone is designed to be used by bystanders and has no effect if opioids aren’t present. The main risk is that the person may wake up suddenly and feel sick or confused. Stay calm, explain what happened, and let EMS continue care.
Can I get in trouble for helping?
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Good Samaritan and 911 immunity laws (which vary by state) are often written to protect people who call for help or provide reasonable first aid in good faith. You should always follow local laws and training, but remember: activating EMS and providing basic assistance can save a life.
Get Involved with PULSE
Whether you’re a student, educator, or community member, there’s a way to help build a safer, more prepared community.
Workshops
Join a PULSE Workshop
Attend a short, student-led session covering CPR basics, overdose response, and first aid. Workshops are designed to be engaging, interactive, and friendly to all levels.
We’re currently active in Los Angeles & Ventura County and growing.
Ask about upcoming dates →Campus chapters
Start a Campus Chapter (Coming Soon)
We’re working on a starter kit for colleges and community colleges that includes workshop outlines, slides, and promo ideas so you can launch PULSE at your school.
If you’re interested, let us know—early interest helps shape our chapter model.
Join the interest list →Volunteer & collaborate
Volunteer or Partner with Us
Are you part of a club, school, or organization that wants to host a training? Or a health professional who wants to support student educators?
We’d love to collaborate on events, content, or local initiatives.
Share your idea →Contact PULSE Initiative
Reach out with questions, collaboration ideas, or to bring PULSE to your school or community.
Where we’re based
Los Angeles & Ventura County, California
We’re a student-led nonprofit working with local schools, clubs, and organizations to make emergency education more accessible.
Email: moorparkpulseinitiative@gmail.com
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Follow our journey & share our content to help spread life-saving skills.