CPR, or cardiopulmonary resuscitation, is an important, life-saving procedure for victims of various medical emergencies like cardiac arrest, heart attacks, drowning, suffocation, or smoke inhalation. CPR is one of the easiest and most effective ways to provide life-sustaining assistance during those critical minutes before medical professionals arrive.
Here at the American CPR Care Association, we believe that everyone, not just medical professionals, should have the skills and knowledge to help save lives if an emergency occurs. That’s why we are dedicated to providing comprehensive, convenient, and 100 percent online CPR certification courses. With these online CPR courses, you’ll never need to leave the comfort of your home, and you can accomplish certification within a matter of hours. Our full range of accessible and affordable classes make it possible for anyone to learn these life-saving skills.
In this blog, we’re exploring the topic of CPR in greater depth by defining the procedure and then looking at why you should consider this type of training, regardless of your career. We will also take a closer look at how easy and convenient it is to take CPR lessons online and become fully certified.
What is CPR?
The history of CPR is a long and surprising one as doctors have developed various techniques aimed at resuscitating their patients. In some early methods, practitioners would blow smoke from a bellows directly into their mouth. In others, they would hang the victim upside down and shake them or tie them to the back of a horse. Luckily, we’ve come a long way since then. In the mid-twentieth century, an early version of modern CPR was developed involving a combination of chest compressions and mouth-to-mouth resuscitation. CPR works to keep the blood circulating in the body, delivering oxygen to the brain and other vital organs when the heart cannot. More recently, many institutions are advocating for hands-only CPR, eliminating rescue breaths, and focusing solely on chest compressions.
Why should I become CPR certified?
There are over 475,000 reasons you should become certified in CPR. Why this number? Because reports show that roughly 475,000 American lives are lost to cardiac arrest every single year. These are lives that could potentially be saved if someone initiated CPR immediately following the cardiac arrest episode. The need for a quick and immediate response is crucial for two primary reasons:
- Every year, over 395,000 cardiac arrest cases occur outside of a hospital and far from any professional medical assistance. Since cardiac arrest is sudden, it commonly occurs at home or at work. Since an ambulance can never arrive immediately, a bystander trained in CPR can make a critical difference and even save a life.
- When cardiac arrest occurs, every second counts. When the heart stops, blood and oxygen are unable to circulate throughout the body. If the brain is starved of oxygen for even a few minutes, severe damage can occur.
Becoming certified in CPR can give you the knowledge and skills to take action at the scene of a medical emergency. Not only does this type of certification provide the confidence to help save a life, but it’s also required by a wide range of professions. As expected, those in the healthcare field are required to certify and recertify in CPR and other life-saving procedures. However, many other professions require or highly suggest you have CPR certification. Here are just a few of the more common professions where CPR certification is beneficial:
- Police officers
- Firefighters
- Coaches
- Childcare workers
- Flight Attendants
- Electricians
- Lifeguards
- Educators
- Social workers
- Jail and prison staff
HOW TO BECOME CPR CERTIFIED ONLINE
Most people are shocked by just how easy it is to receive a fully online CPR certification. In just three simple steps, you can receive complete certification that is instantly valid and accepted by institutions all around the world. All you have to do is select a course, pass the final test, and print off your CPR certification. It’s that simple. To better understand the process, let’s take a look at the three steps toward becoming CPR certified.
1. Select a Course
Most online CPR programs offer more than just courses in cardiopulmonary resuscitation. In addition to CPR, you can select from a wide range of certifications, including First Aid, Bloodborne Pathogens, CPR/AED courses, and classes specializing in healthcare provider CPR.
Some programs even offer combo courses that can bundle certain classes—saving you both money and time. Before selecting a class, it’s important to know what skills you need. Whether for work or personal use, study the course descriptions carefully or reach out to the provider for more detailed information on the class.
2. Pass the Final Test
After you’ve selected your program, you can jump right in. With an online CPR course, you can enjoy the convenience of starting immediately and not having to wait for an in-person course to begin. The classes combine readings, videos, and lessons to provide hands-on skills and the educational background to understand CPR and how it affects the victim’s body. Online CPR courses are comprehensive and cover the same variety of topics as traditional classes.
Depending on your skill level and needs, there are two types of courses you can choose from: blended or online-only. In a blended course, popular with those becoming CPR certified for the first time, you undergo online course training with a hands-on skills assessment near the end. The skills assessment can be taken online or in person. This additional assessment provides the student with even more confidence in performing this procedure.
If you have some experience with CPR or are looking to receive your CPR recertification, an online-only course might be right for you. This type of class is identical to the blended version, with the only exception being the lack of a hands-on skills assessment.
Regardless of the type of course you choose, you’ll need to pass a final test to receive your certification. While most students pass on their first try, many are comforted to know that you can take the test as often as needed, which helps those who may suffer from test anxiety. These online courses are designed to fit your comfort level and needs.
3. Print Your CPR Certification
Once you’ve successfully passed your test, pat yourself on the back—you’re officially CPR certified. With a click of a button, you can instantly download and print off your CPR certification wallet card. Many programs will also then send a print version in the mail.
Benefits of online CPR certification
At all levels of education, online programs and classes are booming in popularity. According to a study by the University of Texas at El Paso, over 6 million Americans currently pursue online education. In light of the recent COVID-19 pandemic, and as eLearning tools become more sophisticated (and affordable), these numbers most likely will only grow.
Individuals looking to learn CPR often turn to online courses because there are many benefits. If you need to learn these skills fast, an online CPR class is the best way to go. Some people can take the entire course and pass the test within hours.
Additionally, online CPR courses are far more convenient than a traditional, face-to-face class. You’ll never have to worry about missing registration, fighting traffic, or finding a classroom when the entire class is waiting for you on your laptop, tablet, or phone. These classes are ideal for those with a busy schedule because you can start and stop whenever you please. Online learning is designed to let you take the course at your own pace.
Conclusion
Becoming CPR certified has always been important, but now, with online classes taught by OSHA-trained professionals, it’s easier than ever before. Taking our online CPR & AED certification course can ensure that you’re ready to offer life-saving assistance if and when you find yourself in an emergency.
For more information on proper CPR procedures, check out the American CPR Care Association blog or reach out to us via our Contact page today.
