In today’s world, we often hear stories of people who have been saved by someone else performing CPR. We also know that many people don’t know how to perform CPR properly. That’s why we created this article to teach you everything you need to know about becoming CPR certified.
What is CPR?
Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is a life-saving skill used to save the lives of victims of a life-threatening situation like cardiac emergencies. Cardiac arrest emergency happens when an individual's heart stops beating unexpectedly. Without a heartbeat, the heart cannot pump oxygenated blood to vital organs. As a result, permanent brain damage occurs within four minutes without oxygen from the blood, and death or loss of life occurs within ten minutes. CPR manually pumps blood to the organs when the heart cannot do so.
Basic CPR Techniques
The basic high quality CPR technique, as recommended by the American Heart Association (AHA), is relatively straightforward, and performing it on a victim can make the difference between life and death. Rescuers must perform CPR as soon as possible after a cardiac arrest victim collapses to give them the best chance of survival.
To begin CPR, check the victim for responsiveness and determine if they have a pulse. If there is no pulse, call 911 and immediately begin CPR using the following guidelines:
- Place your hands on top of one another, keep the arms straight, and position your body directly above the victim's chest.
- Pump the victim's chest to perform rapid compressions at a rate of 100-120 compressions per minute. Ensure that each compression presses a minimum depth of 2 inches deep.
- Continue to perform compressions until emergency medical services arrive.
- To perform rescue breathing, clear the airway by tilting the head back and lifting the chin. Placing your mouth on top of the victim's mouth, deliver one rescue breath, looking to see if the victim's chest rises. If it does rise, you may return to performing chest compressions once you confirm that the victim's breath has returned. If the chest does not rise, give the second breath, then resume chest compressions. Use a 30:2 ratio of compressions to breaths until emergency responders arrives and can take over.
Hands-only CPR or Compressions-only CPR is the most basic technique and is recommended if you are not CPR certified, not because it is the simplest method to perform while receiving phone instructions from a 911 operator. When you are CPR certified, it is recommended that you perform rescue breathing in cases where the victim is not breathing on their own.
Why you should become CPR Certified
The need for high-quality CPR and the use of an Automated External Defibrillator is clear, but you may wonder if a certification card is necessary or if you can understand the basic techniques. Becoming CPR certified increases your preparedness in an emergency situation and confidence in your ability to perform CPR. These lifesaving skills are essential when taking charge in an emergency and taking action, which cannot be taught by just reading about CPR.
Exploring Options for a CPR Certification Provider:
Anyone looking to take a CPR class should carefully evaluate the programs that are available to them. While each person will have unique motivation for wanting to take a CPR course, there are several major factors at play that are common for nearly every participant.
CPR certification classes should only be taught by reputable instructors or offered by credible CPR training providers or training center. CPR classes offered through hospitals are safe, but it can be tricky to determine the validity of many other courses, especially online CPR websites. Anyone can put up a service for sale on the internet, and they aren't necessarily legitimate CPR or health organizations. So before registering for any online program or paying for an online certification class, research who is offering the CPR class, what credentials they have, what organizations, like the American Heart Association, they are associated with, and who writes the actual course materials (physicians or medical professionals vs. writers or marketing staff).
Another major factor in deciding which CPR certification program to take is the convenience of the course itself. In-person classes have more potential to be offered at inconvenient times or locations that don't suit your schedule. On the other hand, online CPR courses offer the same instruction with the added value of working through the course materials and completing the certification exam at any time.
Cost is another significant factor for many people. If you want to become CPR certified, you shouldn't be held back by cost. There are many classes offered at a range of fees. Free classes are available, often at community centers or public health organizations. However, it's important to note that these courses are often offered for information only and do not provide official certification. To earn official CPR certification, you must complete the learning portion of a course and an official exam. Completing the exam is what will give you the credentials that you're seeking, whether it's for personal purposes or required for work. Look for courses that fit within your budget and give you the desired outcome from taking the course. Online classes are affordable for many people, and it's worth browsing through several programs to find the most competitive rates.
A Superior Alternative to CPR Certification and Training
3 factors that a good CPR training program should have are credibility, convenience, and an affordable price. USCPROnline checks all the boxes to give participants the experience and the certification they need.
Credibility
When you sign up for a certification course, you want to know that you're getting the best possible quality instruction and educational material. USCPROnline is different from many of the others CPR certification classes that are available online. Since our central focus is on certifying people across the country to save more lives, we are committed to providing the best material and resources.
We are proud to offer CPR training courses created and written by AHA-approved physicians, so you can be sure that you're getting the same caliber of instruction that healthcare professionals would receive.
In addition, to the quality of instruction, our courses are up to date with all the latest guidelines from the American Heart Association, Emergency Cardiovascular Care (ECC), and the International Committee Responsible for Coordination of all aspects of Cardiopulmonary and Cerebral Resuscitation (ILCOR), and is Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) compliant.
Convenience
For people who prefer independent learning, those with non-traditional schedules, people who are too busy to attend in-person classes, or those who live in areas far away from where group classes are offered are all individuals that would benefit greatly from an online training course. Other people simply prefer to complete their training from the comfort of their home or office at their own pace. USCPROnline offers a wide range of online courses, so you can register for the one that best suits your training needs.
You can access our training materials anytime you prefer as long as you have a PC or mobile device with internet access. Upon successful completion, a digital certificate will be sent to your email as proof that you completed all the modules and passed the exam. Your CPR wallet card or official certificate of completion will be delivered by mail.
Cost
USCPROnline offers highly competitive pricing on all courses. What this means is that not only are they more affordable, but they are more valuable to you as a participant. Our courses give you better value for money, allowing you to pay less out of your pocket and receive outstanding value for the money you spend. The quality of education you receive, as well as unlimited accessibility at any time, and the reputable nationally-recognized certification that you receive upon completion of the course are well worth the cost of USCRPROnline's fairly priced classes.
Conclusion
CPR is an invaluable basic life support skill. The more educated and prepared to perform CPR, the more favorable outcomes there will be for victims who need lifesaving measures in the event of a cardiac arrest emergency. USCPROnline focuses on delivering the best training possible in a way accessible to many people across the country and beyond. Our online model allows you to easily earn the CPR certification without compromising quality.
Join the ranks of fellow citizens who have completed our courses by visiting https://www.uscpronline.com/ and signing up today. Begin your course immediately and earn your online CPR certification within as little as one hour. Obtaining CPR certification has never been easier or more accessible, and the time to prepare for an emergency is now. Education and training are your greatest assets in saving lives, and together with USCPROnline, you can arm yourself with everything you need to know to save a life when it matters most.
