CPR certification in Minnesota

American Training Association for CPR provide online CPR & First Aidtraining and certification that is available to all Minnesota residents, including individuals in Minneapolis or Rochester.

What is CPR?

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is used to save the life of a person who goes into cardiac arrest, which occurs when their heart stops beating unexpectedly. When the heart stops, it does not supply the body's major organs, like the kidneys and the brain, with the oxygen they normally receive from the blood. Without the heart pumping oxygenated blood, the organs can suffer irreversible damage, which can be fatal. Without oxygen, brain damage can occur after four minutes and death can occur within ten minutes. When the heart is unable to do it on its own, CPR manually pumps blood to the organs.

What are the basic guidelines for performing CPR?

According to the American Heart Association (AHA), the chain of survival guidelines for cardiac arrest CPR is:

1. Recognizing cardiac arrest and calling 911
2. Immediately performing CPR focusing on chest compressions
3. Rapid defibrillation
4. Care by emergency medical personnel
5. In-hospital life support and care

The first three steps require emergency bystander action which should begin by calling 911. Next, rescuers should check for responsiveness by tapping the victim and asking, "Are you okay?" At this time, rescuers should also check for a pulse. If the victim does not respond and there is no pulse, begin CPR. Basic CPR, or compression-only CPR, involves pumping the center of the victim's chest with both hands, at least 2 inches in depth and at a rate of 120 compressions per minute. Continue CPR until an emergency medical team arrives.

When is an AED required?

CPR manually pumps blood when the heart stops during a cardiac arrest, but it does not restart the heart. An automated external defibrillator (AED) is needed to start a heart that has stopped beating. These devices are available in public areas like airports, subway stations, libraries, schools, parks, shopping malls, and sports arenas.

A victim will require the use of an AED if they do not have a pulse. Rescuers should check for a pulse at either the wrist or the sides of the neck. If there is no pulse, the victim needs an AED to restart their heart. Ideally, another bystander will go to find the nearest AED, or the rescuer should perform five cycles of chest compressions, before leaving the victim to retrieve the device themselves. The voice-automated device will guide the rescuer through each step of use. After using the AED, rescuers should confirm that the victim's pulse returns before they stop delivering chest compressions and they may continue rescue breathing if the victim is not breathing on their own.

What topics will a basic first aid course cover?

Free online first aid classes will teach participants the basics of treating accidental injuries such as broken bones, seizures, burns, wounds, head injuries, eye injuries, poisoning, and choking. Many classes will cover basic CPR as well as techniques like child CPR or CPR for infants. It is important to keep in mind that free first aid or CPR training classes tend to provide instruction only and will not provide certification upon completion. For individuals who wish to obtain official first aid and CRP certification, a proper course, like a Red Cross certification class with a CPR and first aid exam, is required.

Does a black eye require first aid?

A black eye Is caused when there are broken blood vessels, or bleeding beneath the skin around the eye, which happens when there is a sudden trauma to the eye area. Hyphema occurs when bleeding is present inside the eye.
Most black eyes are treatable with an ice pack to minimize swelling. In cases where the is blood visible in the eye, when the victim has any sudden vision problems, or where blood is leaking from the eye, victims must seek immediate medical care at the nearest emergency room.

Where are BLS, CPR, and first aid classes available near me?

Basic life support (BLS) and CPR courses are offered in many locations throughout Minnesota, with many choices in municipalities like Bloomington and Marshall. Community centers, local health organizations, hospitals, and local fire halls may offer CPR and first aid certification classes. There are also many options for free online classes, which offers participants the convenience of taking the course on their own schedule. It is important to note that free CPR classes provide individuals with instructional information but typically don’t include a formal certification component.

CPR and First Aid Certification and Renewals

What CPR and first aid training certification specialties are available?

Individuals who wish to enhance their BLS skills are encouraged to take additional classes with a specialty that is of interest to them. Common areas of expertise are child CPR and CPR for infants, CPR for the health care provider, mental health first aid, first responder courses, and CPR for the professional rescuer. These classes can usually be combined with standard BLS renewal courses as a supplement to core skills.

How can I find CPR renewals near me?

In-person CPR renewal classes are offered throughout cities in Minnesota such as Minneapolis and St. Cloud. Individuals can also renew their CPR certification by taking an online course. Online classes are an appealing option for people in remote locations where classes are not regularly held or professionals with busy schedules who prefer to complete training courses at their own pace.

Obtain CPR and First Aid Certification Today

American Training Association for CPR’s online courses make it easier than ever for participants to begin immediately and complete their CPR and first aid certification. Learn critical life-saving skills by signing up for one of our courses. Visit us at www.uscpronline.com to start training today.