Every year, hundreds of thousands of American lives are lost to cardiac arrest. When the heart stops, it’s only a matter of minutes until serious brain damage or even death occurs. Because so many cardiac arrest episodes occur outside of a hospital, too many of these accidents prove to be fatal. However, by training more and more bystanders in the steps of CPR, these deaths could be dramatically reduced. And now, since you can easily and quickly earn your CPR certification online, there’s been no better time to learn this valuable—and potentially life-saving—skill. Everyone has the ability to learn CPR.
But how exactly do you earn your CPR certification? Can someone with little to no medical background learn this medical skill? And is it expensive and time-consuming? Here, we’re taking a closer look at how you can easily earn your CPR certification by answering these questions and more. We also look at one of the more recent advancements in CPR training, online CPR certification courses, and how they make learning CPR more convenient, affordable, and accessible than ever before.
WHAT IS CPR?
CPR, or cardiopulmonary resuscitation, is a common medical technique aimed at continuing circulation in a victim when their heart stops. When the heart is stopped by a medical emergency, such as cardiac arrest, a heart attack, electrocution, or even smoke inhalation, it’s only a matter of minutes until damage occurs. The heart is responsible for circulating blood and vital nutrients throughout the body. When the major organs, such as the brain, are deprived of blood and oxygen for even just minutes, it can be fatal.
CPR serves as a temporary measure to stabilize the victim until medical personnel arrive. Through a combination of chest compressions and rescue breaths (or even just chest compressions via hands-only CPR), someone trained in CPR can help keep blood and oxygen circulating throughout the body and to the vital organs. When CPR is properly performed, the survival rate for cardiac arrest victims dramatically increases.
WHY DO I NEED CPR CERTIFICATION?
Like with any other medical skill, certification is extremely important. While it might seem like you could simply watch a few YouTube videos to learn how to perform CPR, you don’t want to take these chances when someone’s life could be in your hands.
Having professional CPR training and certification ensures that each and every student receives the highest quality training and information. With other training resources, you may be missing vital information without ever even knowing it. CPR certification classes work to standardize this important medical training so that if you do need to respond to a medical emergency, you’ll have the skills, information, and confidence to make a positive impact.
HOW DO I EARN MY CPR CERTIFICATION?
CPR certification classes are designed to be convenient and accessible for as wide of an audience as possible. Why is this? Simply enough, everyone should have the opportunity to learn CPR. By training and certifying more individuals in CPR, we have the best possibility for saving even more lives. This is partially why so many people are shocked at how easy and accessible CPR training and CPR certification turns out to be.
But how exactly does it work? Really, you have two options: traditional in-person CPR classes and online CPR courses. Traditional CPR training works as you might expect. You meet in a common area, usually a rec center or community center, and learn CPR from an instructor a few evenings out of the week. While in-person training can be very effective for certain types of learners, it may also be inconvenient for others. Trying to fit CPR training into an already busy schedule can make this type of certification seem impossible for some.
This is why we now have online CPR classes. Through online classes, anyone (as long as you have a reliable internet connection) can learn CPR at their own pace. Online CPR certification is surprisingly simple. First, you’ll log on and select your course. While it may seem like all CPR classes are the same, this isn’t the case. Most CPR certification programs offer a variety of medical training courses, such as First Aid certification or combination CPR/AED training classes. Make sure you carefully review the details of the course before signing up.
Next, you can dive right in. With online CPR classes, you don’t have to wait for your instructor—all the information is already there waiting for you. You’ll have instant access to the complete set of training materials, including readings and video demonstrations. With 100 percent online classes, you never need to leave the comfort of your home to receive professional CPR training. Some online classes, however, may require a hands-on portion of the class to ensure you’ve learned the proper CPR technique. You can also start or stop your CPR lessons at any time, making these classes ideal for someone with a full time job or an already hectic schedule.
Once you’ve passed your final online quiz, take some time to pat yourself on the back. You’re now officially CPR certified. Since online CPR training is designed to work at your own pace, many students can earn their CPR certification within a matter of days. This is learning that is truly designed around the student. Once you’ve passed your final quiz, you can instantly download your CPR certification card as proof of certification. This is an essential final step for those who need CPR certification for their jobs, such as nurses, healthcare providers, or first responders like police officers or firefighters.
CONCLUSION – HOW DO I EARN MY CPR CERTIFICATION?
CPR certification is for everyone. No matter your profession or level of medical knowledge, you should consider enrolling in a CPR certification program. You never know when (or where) a medical emergency may strike, which is why it’s important to train as many bystanders as possible in this important medical skill. CPR can serve as the bridge to stabilize a cardiac arrest victim until paramedics arrive, dramatically increasing their survival rate. With online CPR certification, it’s never been easier to gain this vital skill.