Why It’s Important to Get CPR Certified
CPR training is essential to help you stay calm and act in an emergency. It can also give you the confidence to step in and help a loved one, friend, or stranger when they need it most.
Cardiac arrest can happen anywhere: at home, at the gym, on an airplane, or in your workplace. Being CPR-certified can save lives at any time.
Boosts Confidence
First aid skills are important for anyone, from sports coaches and college students to office workers and social media influencers. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation, or CPR, is an easy-to-learn life-saving technique that can help save a person’s life when they experience cardiac arrest or respiratory failure. In fact, according to the American Heart Association, around 12 million Americans are trained in CPR each year. While you should always call 911 in the event of a medical emergency, being able to perform CPR and use an automated external defibrillator (AED) can significantly increase someone’s chance of survival.
It’s also important to note that people who are not trained in CPR may feel overwhelmed and hesitate to intervene in a life-threatening situation, which can lead to a lower overall survival rate. The good news is that CPR training boosts confidence and teaches you the skills you need to act in an emergency situation. The American Red Cross offers a wide range of classes throughout the country, so you can find a CPR certification course that fits your schedule and needs.
Knowing CPR can give you the confidence to intervene in an emergency situation whether you’re at a restaurant, concert, or sporting event. This knowledge can also come in handy during family trips or outdoor adventures, as you’ll know how to handle situations that could occur during your activities.
As a bonus, you can take your CPR training further by enrolling in a comprehensive first-aid program. This will expand your skill set to include other emergency techniques, such as treating burns and fractures. A well-rounded understanding of first aid can make you a more valuable employee, especially if your employer requires CPR certification.
Unlike other useless high school and college skills, a CPR certificate is something that you can use anywhere. It’s a life-saving skill that can help you save money in the long run and make you stand out to potential employers. If you’re unsure about how to incorporate this into your resume, consider creating a “Special Skills” or “Certifications” section on your document.
Saves Lives
Hundreds of thousands of people suffer out-of-hospital cardiac arrest each year in the United States. Many of these deaths are preventable when bystanders step in and perform CPR. In fact, the chances of survival double or even triple when CPR is initiated within a few minutes after a person suffers a sudden cardiac arrest. These aren’t just numbers on a page; they represent real lives saved, stories continued, and families kept together. That’s why it’s so important to get CPR certified – and not just for your own benefit, but for the benefit of others as well.
In fact, the American Red Cross explains that CPR training can give you the confidence and skills you need to act quickly in medical emergencies. This includes knowing when to call 9-1-1 and knowing how to use an automated external defibrillator (AED) when needed. In addition, it teaches you how to provide hands-only CPR when you are not comfortable with mouth-to-mouth resuscitation, which has been shown to be just as effective as traditional CPR in helping people who experience sudden cardiac arrest.
The ability to save a life may seem small in the grand scheme of things, but it’s an important and impactful skill that anyone can learn. For parents and new grandparents, it’s an essential skill to have because sudden cardiac arrest is the number one cause of death for infants and children. Knowing CPR is also an invaluable asset for security guards, lifeguards, and nurses in the workplace.
If you’re unsure of where to start or simply want a refresher course on the basics, there are many online CPR courses that offer quick, simple, and fun lessons. You can also find a local Red Cross or American Heart Association class near you to sign up for in-person CPR training. In-person classes include lectures and hands-on practice sessions with a qualified instructor. Most CPR certifications are valid for two years, but it’s important to re-certify every two years to keep your knowledge and skills fresh.
Whether you need to know how to save your own life or that of a friend or family member, it’s never too late to learn the basics of CPR. It’s an investment of time and effort that could pay huge dividends in the future.
Prevents Unnecessary Hospitalizations
CPR training teaches you to respond quickly in an emergency. It allows you to keep someone oxygenated until professional medical assistance arrives, and it also helps prevent the victim from suffering damage to their heart or brain. It is an essential skill for people of all ages and can save lives in many different situations.
For example, a family member going into cardiac arrest can die within minutes unless bystanders intervene. Performing chest compressions while waiting for emergency medical services can double or triple a person’s chance of survival. Similarly, a child who suffers a seizure or near drowning needs to receive rescue breaths immediately or risk permanent brain damage. Having CPR skills is the best way to ensure you know what to do and how to act in an emergency.
It can help you avoid unnecessary hospitalizations, which can be costly for both patients and the healthcare system. This can help reduce the number of lost workdays, which means that it can also save employers money on labor costs.
In addition, it can also help you prevent injuries at work and make you a more valuable employee. Employers are more likely to hire applicants who have CPR certification, as they can trust them to take quick action in the event of an emergency at work.
CPR and emergency training are invaluable tools for society, providing individuals with life-saving skills and promoting a safer community. It can even lead to a healthier lifestyle, helping individuals avoid illnesses and accidents in the first place.
Getting certified in CPR is easy and cost-effective, especially when taking an online class. These classes offer lectures and hands-on skills sessions, which can be completed in just a few hours. After completing the course, you can test your knowledge and receive a two-year certificate. Keeping your certification up to date is important, as CPR techniques can change over time. It’s a good idea to get recertified every two years so that you have the most recent information available. Moreover, it’s an excellent opportunity to practice your skills and to refresh your memory.
Makes You More Valuable
CPR certification is a valuable skill that can help you save lives in an emergency. It isn’t just for people in medical professions, and everyone should take the time to get certified. With the proper training, you can recognize the symptoms of a heart attack and provide emergency resuscitation until medical professionals arrive.
The American Heart Association (AHA) offers a variety of classes designed for different learning styles and needs. From online courses that let you practice at home to classroom-based Heartsaver First Aid CPR AED classes with instructors, there is a course for everyone. In addition, the AHA also offers a video-based kit that can be used by anyone to facilitate CPR training in groups.
Workplace safety is a priority, and providing your employees with CPR training is a way to show you care. When a coworker goes into cardiac arrest, you’ll be able to respond immediately and increase their chances of survival until medical professionals arrive.
If the victim of sudden cardiac arrest does not receive CPR within two minutes, they will lose their chance of survival by the time they reach a hospital. That’s why having a workforce with CPR and AED training is important. If you are a business owner, ensuring all of your employees have this lifesaving training will make you an employer of choice in the job market and increase workplace safety.
You can find online CPR and AED training classes that are convenient for your busy schedule. Some are even available on weekends!
Getting CPR and AED training can make you feel empowered, knowledgeable, and capable in a crisis. Whether you need to help a family member, coworker, or friend, the ability to save a life makes you a valuable asset in any situation. In addition, the knowledge and confidence you gain will give you an unmatched sense of achievement. You can even use your skills to teach others and help them become certified! So, what are you waiting for? Find a class near you today.