People with a CPR certification have been instrumental in saving lives for decades. Though there have been some changes in method and theory since it’s inception in the late 1800’s, the American Heart Association and the Red Cross have strived to maintain the highest standards for first responders to choking, drowning, or cardiac crisis’.
CPR, or Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation, takes just a few hours of class time with practice on a mannequin to successfully receive your CPR certification card. Many complete the course in just one Saturday.
Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation
Often this class is offered as a mini-class at community colleges, the Red Cross offices, fire stations, and hospitals that have community education facilities. Some CPR instructors will also hold private classes in their home or a community center.
Some of the critical areas covered in a CPR class are:
- Adult CPR techniques
- Child CPR techniques
- Infant CPR techniques
- Drowning resuscitation
- Choking maneuvers and resuscitation
- Use of a mouth shield
Good CPR techniques are critical to first responders and EMTs, but everyone can benefit from this knowledge.
Anyone can learn CPR and be ready to help save a life while the ambulance is on its way. The first few minutes are critical to the victim, and any bystander that has this knowledge can increase the victim’s chance of survival, and decrease the chance of brain damage from lack of oxygen.
Online CPR Certification Classes
There are now online classes offered for CPR certification. These classes offer online demonstration of the techniques used to administer aid for victims in trouble. The problem with this online concept is that there is no hands-on training or guidance, something that is critical to performing CPR correctly and safely.
The hands-on practice and guidance from the instructor gives the students the confidence they need to perform their skills when an emergency arises.
If you decide to try the online version, make sure it is accepted by your employer. Some of these online programs advertise that their certificate is accepted in all states, but most employers want a CPR certificate to be endorsed by the American Heart Association or the Red Cross.
The convenience of the online version is best for recertification, and even then it may not be accepted by some employers.
CPR Certification Benefits Everyone
Only about a third of victims that suffer a cardiac arrest in a public area have a CPR provider nearby. Currently, approximately one tenth of cardiac arrest victims survive if CPR is administered. CPR keeps the blood flowing throughout their system, giving them the only chance they have of prolonging their life until medical personnel can arrive.
If more people took the CPR certification classes, obviously more lives could potentially be saved. Though the percentage of CPR survivors is low, there is no way to know which victims can be saved, but it is certain that without CPR many more would die.
CPR certification does not require any medical background or knowledge, and most classes last 6 hours; a short amount of time to learn to save a life.
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