Introduction
Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is an emergency procedure performed when someone’s breathing or heartbeat has stopped. It helps pump blood around the body by compressing the chest. CPR skills are vital for medical professionals as well as members of the public, as it can save lives in the event of a cardiac arrest. Being CPR certified means you have received training and can competently perform CPR if needed.
Traditionally, CPR certification required taking an in-person class with an instructor. However, online CPR certification has become popular due to its convenience and flexibility. Online courses allow you to complete training on your own time without having to attend a scheduled group class. They are often more affordable as well.
Online CPR certification involves taking a self-paced course to learn the same life-saving skills taught in an in-person class. The course covers CPR techniques for adults, children and infants. Just like with an in-person course, your skills will be evaluated after completion through an in-person or virtual assessment. With an online course, you can become CPR certified from the comfort of your home.
Benefits of Online CPR Certification
Online CPR certification offers several advantages compared to in-person classes. The most significant benefits include:
- Convenience: Online courses allow you to obtain CPR certification on your own schedule. You can study whenever it fits your availability rather than having to attend a session at a specific time and location. This flexibility makes it easier to fit earning certification into a busy lifestyle.
- Self-paced learning: With online CPR training, you control the pace of the course. You can speed through sections you understand quickly and take more time on skills that require practice. This customized approach helps ensure you fully comprehend the material.
- Cost savings: Online CPR certification often costs less than taking an in-person class. You avoid transportation costs and can find very affordable online options. Group discounts offered by some online providers can further reduce the price.
- Accessibility: Online courses expand access to CPR training. They provide certification opportunities for those unable to attend local classes due to mobility challenges, rural locations far from training sites, or health issues. Virtual training allows more people to gain these life-saving skills.
Types of Online CPR Courses
There are several types of online CPR certification courses to meet different needs:
- Basic Life Support (BLS) – This teaches skills like CPR for adults, children, and infants, using an AED, and relieving choking. It’s geared toward non-medical professionals and required for many jobs.
- Healthcare Provider CPR – Similar to BLS, it includes skills for healthcare professionals like ventilations, medication administration, and using manual defibrillators. Usually required for doctors, nurses, and EMTs.
- Renewal Courses – Shorter, focused courses to renew expired CPR certs. Covers latest guideline changes.
- Pediatric CPR – Specialized course teaching infant/child CPR skills, like giving rescue breaths and using proper compression depths. Useful for childcare workers.
- First Aid – Goes beyond CPR to skills like controlling bleeding, treating shock, and responding to medical emergencies. Often combined with CPR certification.
The right cpr first aid training depends on your occupation and needs. Those with medical training may need a Healthcare Provider course, while childcare workers benefit from Pediatric CPR. Renewals maintain current certs, while First Aid + CPR provides broader emergency response skills.
What Will You Learn?
A comprehensive online CPR course will teach you the core knowledge and skills you need to help someone in cardiac arrest. Key topics covered include:
- Chest Compressions – You’ll learn the proper hand placement and depth when doing chest compressions on adults, children and infants. Proper technique maximizes blood flow to vital organs when the heart stops beating effectively.
- Rescue Breathing – Also known as mouth-to-mouth resuscitation, rescue breathing provides oxygen to someone’s lungs when they are unable to breathe on their own. You’ll learn how to open the airway, create a tight seal over your mouth, and breathe steadily into your lungs.
- AED Use – Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) can help restart a heart that has stopped beating. You’ll learn when and how to safely use these devices to provide a shock that can restore normal heart rhythm.
- Choking – Both adults and children can choke on food or objects, blocking their airways. You’ll learn techniques like back blows and abdominal thrusts to clear blockages.
- Infant CPR – Special modifications are required when providing CPR to infants under 1 year old. You’ll learn appropriate techniques for compression depth, head positioning, rescue breathing, and clearing airway obstructions.
The skills covered will prepare you to act quickly and confidently in an emergency to help save a life. Hands-on practice is a key component of any CPR course.
Finding a Reputable Online Provider
When searching for an online CPR certification course, it’s important to find a reputable provider. Here are some things to look for:
Check credentials
- Make sure the instructors are certified CPR instructors. They should have credentials through organizations like the American Heart Association, American Red Cross, or American Safety and Health Institute.
- Check that the company is accredited and in good standing. Legitimate providers should be transparent about their credentials.
- Look for endorsements or partnerships with respected health organizations. This helps validate the quality of the training.
Instructor availability
- Choose a course with instructor support in case you have questions during the training. Live chat, email, or phone access to instructors is preferable over fully automated courses.
- See if you can schedule one-on-one skills sessions over video chat to practice skills and get feedback. Hands-on practice with an instructor can improve retention.
Accepted certifications
- Make sure the certificate will be accepted where you need it. Healthcare facilities, schools, gyms, and workplaces often require CPR cards from major providers like the AHA or Red Cross.
- Ask if the certificate can be quickly verified online. Many employers and organizations will want to validate your certification.
By thoroughly vetting providers, you can find a reputable online CPR course that provides quality instruction and universally accepted certification. Taking the time to check credentials will give you confidence in your training.
Taking the Course
Online CPR certification courses provide training through instructional videos, readings, quizzes, and skills practice sessions. This allows you to learn at your own pace and on your schedule.
The video lessons clearly demonstrate CPR techniques and protocols on realistic manikins. The instructors talk you through each step of CPR, the use of an AED, and dealing with choking victims. You’ll be able to watch the videos as many times as needed to feel confident in performing CPR.
Written materials supplement the instructional videos. You’ll learn background information on how CPR works, pertinent anatomy and physiology, risk factors, and statistics on cardiac arrest survival rates. Quizzes test your knowledge retention after each module.
Skills practice sessions utilize voice feedback manikins or webcam proctoring. You’ll perform CPR while receiving feedback on the depth and rate of compressions, as well as ventilation volumes. This helps reinforce proper technique.
At the end of the course, you’ll take a final exam testing your overall proficiency. Passing demonstrates you have acquired the necessary CPR knowledge and skills.
Online CPR certification provides engaging training combining videos, readings, quizzes, and skills practice for developing life-saving abilities on your schedule. The courses allow you to gain competency and confidence in CPR techniques.
Skills Assessment Options for Online CPR Certification
Getting CPR certified online is convenient and flexible, but you still need to demonstrate competency in CPR skills. Online courses offer a few options for skills assessment:
In-Person Assessment
Some online courses require you to complete an in-person skills evaluation at a designated testing centre. You will perform CPR on a manikin while being observed and scored by an instructor. This option ensures you can adequately perform CPR skills before getting certified. However, it’s less convenient than other options.
Video Upload Assessment
Many online courses allow you to record yourself performing CPR skills and upload the video for review. You’ll demonstrate skills on a manikin or practice dummy at home and submit your video online. Your skills will then be scored based on the video. This is more convenient but requires access to a manikin.
Waiver Options
Some courses, especially for renewal certifications, provide waiver options if you’re unable to complete a skills assessment. This may involve verifying your previous skills training or signing a legal waiver confirming you will practice skills before using CPR. Waivers allow certification without demonstrated competency, so they are not ideal for initial certification.
When choosing online CPR certification, consider which skills assessment options are available and best suit your needs. In-person evaluations provide the highest level of oversight, while video uploads offer a convenient alternative for self-directed learners with proper equipment.
Certification Validity and Renewal
CPR certifications, whether completed online or in person, are valid for a set period of time before requiring renewal. This is because CPR guidelines can change periodically as new research emerges, so it’s important to stay up-to-date on the latest practices.
The validity period for CPR certification can vary but is commonly 1-2 years. After this time, you will need to renew your CPR certification to remain current. Some online courses may offer reminders when your certification is nearing expiration.
Renewing your CPR certification ensures you are practising the most up-to-date, evidence-based techniques. It also serves as a refresher to reinforce proper CPR skills. Many online courses offer abbreviated renewal options that review key skills and information in less time than the initial certification.
Maintaining a current CPR certification is crucial for being prepared to properly assist in an emergency. Expired certifications are invalid, so schedule your renewal ahead of time and avoid any lapse in your credentials. Prompt renewal shows you are dedicated to having the latest CPR knowledge and being ready to help save lives.
Conclusion
Taking CPR certification online offers many benefits over in-person classes, making it easier and more accessible to learn these essential life-saving skills. The key points covered in this article include:
- Online CPR courses provide flexibility – you can take them anytime, anywhere, at your own pace. This removes barriers to busy schedules.
- There are many reputable providers offering a range of online CPR classes to meet different needs. Look for ones accredited by the AHA or Red Cross when choosing a course.
- Topics covered are identical to in-person classes. You’ll learn the latest techniques for performing CPR and using an AED for adults, children and infants.
- Courses include videos, illustrations, and practice tests to clearly demonstrate skills. Some have options for hands-on skills assessment.
- Upon passing, you’ll receive a digital CPR certification that’s valid for 1-2 years before needing renewal. This is the same as in-person training.
- Online CPR training costs less than taking an in-person class. It’s an affordable way to get certified and stay certified.
Learning CPR is valuable for everyone – it empowers you to help save lives in an emergency. Taking a certification course online makes it quick, easy and convenient to gain this vital skill. With many reputable options to choose from, there’s no reason to delay getting CPR certified today.
