A CPR certification gives you life-saving skills that enable you to respond to cardiac arrests and other emergencies. The certification is required for healthcare practitioners, but the skills learned are applicable in various settings. With your certification, you can perform safe CPR for co-workers, friends, family, and strangers who need it. Here are a few things to know about choosing the right CPR course for your needs:
Courses for Healthcare Professionals
Institutions and instructors that offer CPR courses have distinct programs for healthcare and non-healthcare providers. CPR certification for healthcare providers includes Basic Life Support (BLS) and Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS). The BLS course covers the foundations of performing CPR for someone experiencing cardiac arrest in or out of hospital settings. You’ll learn basic life support skills, such as recognizing when someone needs CPR and performing the technique correctly.
BLS also covers using Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) on adults, children, and infants. The course suits nursing students, paramedics, EMTs, and physician assistants, among others. ACLS builds on the foundations of your BLS certification and often features group sessions. The course uses case-based scenarios to help you understand team resuscitation and immediate post-cardiac arrest care.
ACLS also teaches airway management, rhythm recognition, and systems of care. The course is ideal if your work involves responding to emergencies or managing cardiopulmonary arrests. Other courses for healthcare professionals include Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS), which focuses on performing CPR on children and infants. You may also take combination courses that include BLS, ACLS, PALS, and Heartsaver First Aid.
Courses for Non-Healthcare Providers
Cardiac arrests and strokes can happen to anyone, anywhere. Whether you’re a teacher, childcare worker, firefighter, or police officer, your job may involve responding to emergencies. CPR courses for non-healthcare providers feature programs focusing on first aid and AED use. If you work with children, look for pediatric-specific first aid and CPR skills.
Heartsaver first aid courses cover basic first aid procedures and how to respond to medical, injury, and environmental emergencies. This type of course is ideal for lay rescuers, from daycare workers to fitness trainers. You may also take this course if you have friends or family members at a high risk of cardiac arrest.
Business owners and corporations can arrange group training facilitated by certified instructors. Some CPR instructors also provide in-home group training for families that want to enhance their emergency preparedness. The courses focus on teaching basic CPR and life support skills, making them ideal for parents, babysitters, and the general public.
Courses for Trainers and Instructors
Courses for instructors are designed for anyone who wants to teach others how to perform the life-saving techniques involved in CPR. If you’re interested in emergency care, you can learn how to instruct others and share your CPR knowledge. The instructor course covers BLS, ACLS, PALS, and more to equip you with all-around, life-saving skills.
After completing the instructor course, you’ll be sent to an American Heart Association (AHA) training facility to teach your first class. The teaching sessions are monitored and assessed by experienced faculty members at the training facility. If your teaching sessions are successful, you’ll receive certification to teach others how to perform CPR.
Thanks to online learning portals, you can pursue CPR courses anywhere, provided you have internet access. Online programs allow you to learn at your convenience. The teaching sessions and practical work are done in person to allow real-time assessment of your CPR knowledge.
Find a CPR Certification Program Today
Choosing the right CPR course involves finding a program that aligns with your specific needs. Whether you’re a health professional, lay worker, or enthusiast with goals to become an instructor, you can find a suitable program. Contact a CPR certification center today to find out more about their programs.
