CPR and first aid are invaluable skills that can help save lives in an emergency. Whether you are a health professional, rowing coach, water fitness trainer, or someone else who may need to respond to a cardiac or respiratory emergency, it is essential to maintain your CPR certification.

How to Become CPR Certified

CPR training teaches you how to act quickly during medical emergencies like cardiac arrest, stroke, and drowning in Upland, CA. Providing chest compressions and mouth-to-mouth ventilations, CPR helps restore a normal heartbeat and breathing to unconscious victims until emergency medical professionals arrive. A quality course outlines all the essential information you need to know to feel confident during an emergency, including CPR certification Upland, CA. From identifying a victim to administering CPR for different age groups to recognizing choking and using the Heimlich maneuver, a comprehensive course will help you respond with confidence and ease during a crisis. An excellent online course will allow you to complete the material at your own pace and work at a time that fits your schedule, whether you’re a healthcare professional or simply looking to expand your knowledge. You can find a course to fit your needs, and many online courses include a practice test and certification card that can be printed instantly after you pass the course.

Online CPR Courses

You may have noticed that many companies advertise online CPR courses, but be careful – many are not reputable. Look for a course accredited by the Better Business Bureau with a reputation for quality instruction. Also, ensure the course combines hands-on training with online learning through multimedia resources like video lectures and text-based lessons. An excellent online CPR course will cover adult, child, and infant resuscitation. The curriculum should be based on the latest medical findings and recommendations from approved organizations like the American Heart Association (AHA). Look for a company that provides access to online lessons with photos, diagrams, and videos so you can practice the procedures until you feel confident in your ability to respond to an emergency. Then, choose a course with a short test you can take when you can. You should receive your certificate immediately upon passing the exam.

In-Person CPR Courses

CPR is a crucial lifesaving technique that can help keep oxygenated blood flowing to the brain and other vital organs until emergency medical services arrive. For this reason, many healthcare professionals, business owners, and others choose to complete an in-person CPR course that results in a certificate of completion and a wallet card that displays their certification. These courses typically cover high-quality techniques for CPR and automated external defibrillator (AED) use. Some may also include first aid, which covers how to treat injuries like broken bones, sprains, and shock. Other course topics may include choking response and adult, child, and infant CPR. For a convenient and flexible option, look for a CPR course provider that offers fully online and in-person training sessions. These programs often allow participants to pace their learning and hold themselves accountable through self-paced classes. They also offer the ability to test and demonstrate skills in a live class setting.

Refresher Courses

Once certified in CPR, taking a refresher course every couple of years is a good idea. Your skills will deteriorate over time, and it’s best to be as sharp as possible to help in an emergency. Many people are hesitant to perform CPR on someone because they fear hurting them. This is a valid concern since you may break ribs or other bones during CPR. However, it’s better to risk broken ribs than not save a life. Another common fear is the fear of catching a disease or becoming sick from performing rescue breaths on a stranger. These fears are also valid, as it’s possible to catch a disease from a person in need of resuscitation, especially if they have a weak immune system. A CPR refresher course can help dispel these fears as you learn the latest information and focus only on honed skills.