Each year, less than 3% of the U.S population obtains a CPR certification. Knowing which certification to participate in can be tricky, so here are some steps you can take and tips to take note of when you want to obtain a CPR certification.
Understand the Importance of Learning CPR
Learning CPR is important as it can dramatically increase the chances of survival in the event of a cardiac arrest. In the U.S, heart disease is the leading cause of death, causing more than 600,000 deaths each year. With chances of heart disease increasing due to increased stress levels and unhealthy eating habits, CPR can help save many lives. 88% of people who suffer from cardiac arrest outside of the hospital die. This number can be drastically reduced if CPR had been promptly performed. The good thing about CPR is that anyone can learn how to do it. Getting a CPR certification is easy and affordable, and can help save the lives of many, including your loved ones. Additionally, CPR can prevent potential brain death. As brain death occurs four to six minutes after a heart stops beating, CPR keeps the blood flowing and supplies oxygen to the brain and other vital organs, giving the victim a higher chance of getting better.
Where to Obtain a CPR Certification
There are many ways to obtain a CPR certification, but you should find the way that suits you. Although every path has the same goal, which is to get you certified in CPR, it is also important to keep in mind the curriculum of the different methods, the cost, and whether the method you choose is recognized by your state and workplace. One method would be through a private healthcare institute, such as South Florida Health Care Institute, which provides CPR certification programs at an affordable price. Although online CPR certification sounds enticing due to its convenience, you should know that online-only courses are almost never accepted by any employer or state licensure requirements. Even though online-only courses can provide general knowledge on CPR that can be useful, you would not be able to get a legitimate certification from that alone.
Types of CPR Certification and When to Renew It
Typically, CPR/AED certification can cost between $50 to $75. If you decide to get a First Aid certification along with it as well, it can cost around $100. At South Florida Health Care Institute, you can get the certification the same day as your class. Each class lasts for around 2 hours and is designed to help prepare students to provide CPR and AED use in a safe and effective way. After completing this course, students would be able to effectively provide mouth-to-mouth resuscitation, recognize when someone needs CPR, describe how good CPR improves survival, and explain the Chain of Survival. After finishing the course, students will also receive a course completion card that is valid for two years. Once the certification has expired, students can take a renewal course or try the CPR/AED with First Aid to renew their certification.
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