CPR Training
CPR, or Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation, is a well-known life support technique widely recommended by health professionals in cases of cardiac or respiratory arrest. Hospital and emergency responder staff all received CPR training. But many lay persons also seek CPR training voluntarily or as a requirement of their employment.
CPR training is important in many walks of life so it's wise to get the training and stay current with it. One reason re-certification is important is that your skills diminish with lack of practice. Another is that the approach changes as research and new evidence come out so you need to stay abreast of the changes.
OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) regulations require employers to have in place formal first aid programs and staff specifically trained in first aid. The details of first aid programs are generally left up to the employers. OSHA recommends that CPR training be a general program element of a first aid program. However, some OSHA standards, for example, Logging Operations (29 CFR 1910.266), Permit-required Confined Spaces (29 CFR 1910.146), and Electric Power Generation, Transmission, and Distribution (29 CFR 1910.269), have specific requirements that employees be trained in first aid and CPR. If an employer is covered by one of these specific standards, CPR training would be required.
People who work with children are often required to have CPR training. Occupations such as day care provider, foster parent, school teacher, athletic coach, social worker, etc., may require CPR training. Occupations such as innkeeper and bar tender benefit from this training too. Certification and licensing training for these occupations may include CPR training, or a person may have to find a CPR training program on his or her own.
CPR training is often offered as part of a larger course in first aid, CPR, and automated external defibrillator (AED) training. Participants in such courses learn to recognize symptoms of shock, sudden illnesses, poisoning, and other medical emergencies. They learn to provide first aid to adults, children, and infants; each group requires somewhat different CPR training techniques.
CPR training alone takes about four hours. It includes lectures and hands-on training with mannequins as well as live subjects. Participants learn to check vital signs, position victims properly for effective CPR, apply age-appropriate chest compression, and perform artificial respiration using the mouth-to-mouth technique.
Organizations offering CPR training include non-profit organizations such as the American Red Cross, the American Heart Association, the Young Mens Christian Association (YMCA), and many for-profit firms that specialize in first aid training for corporate employees. Local police, fire and emergency medical responder organizations may also offer CPR training.
The cost of CPR training varies, but is typically less than $100. These are group rates; most providers do not offer one-on-one training. At least one online-only firm, AEDCPR.com, offers a $19.95 CPR training course. However, it does not include hands-on training that is essential to effective CPR administration. The student will have to provide his own training subject(s).
One should not expect miracles from CPR training. CPR alone does not prevent death from cardiac arrest very well. Studies indicate that the survival rate of cardiac arrest victims who receive CPR is only 5-10 percent. But CPR can extend the time window in which more advanced resuscitation and life support methods can arrive. CPR training is a marginal yet critical component in first aid and emergency medical procedures.
