Introduction
If you've thought about getting your CPR certification, it's important to understand what the process involves. This is especially true if you're looking for a good deal on a course: there are many options available, and not all of them are best suited for your personal needs or budget. The following guide will help you figure out what type of CPR course is right for you and how much time (and money) it will take to complete one successfully.
What's the difference between CPR certification and training?
CPR certification is a good way to get your feet wet with the basics of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), but it doesn't give you the whole picture. If you want to be able to help in an emergency, then training is more comprehensive and requires more time.
Certification involves passing one exam, while training includes several courses over several weeks or months. While certification may be easier to get than training, our experts recommend that anyone who wants real confidence in their ability should choose the latter option--it's more valuable and will last longer than just being able to say "I'm certified."
In addition, many employers require their staff members who perform CPR on patients to have completed both certification and training programs--which means if you're considering working at an emergency room or ambulance service center after graduation from nursing school (or another field), they'll require specific credentials before hiring anyone who isn't already certified standards!
What type of CPR certification should you get?
CPR training is divided into two categories: basic life support (BLS) and advanced life support (ALS).
BLS certification is the most common type of CPR certification, but it's not sufficient for all jobs that include emergency care. For example, EMTs need a higher level of training than what BLS provides. That said if you're just looking to learn basic lifesaving skills in case someone needs help in an emergency situation--say as part of your job as a teacher or camp counselor--then getting BLS-certified may be all you need!
If you want more advanced training beyond what's required by most employers, then consider getting certified at the next level up: Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS). This course covers things like treating heart attacks and strokes; managing airway obstruction; recognizing signs of shock; performing needle chest decompression on patients with tension pneumothoraxes; using automated external defibrillators (AEDs) on heart attack victims who aren't breathing or have no pulse; performing endotracheal intubation for severely injured accident victims whose airways are blocked by blood clots or vomit/fluid accumulation inside their mouths
How much does it cost to become certified in CPR?
The cost of a CPR certification depends on the type of certification you want. Some providers offer group discounts that bring down the price per person even further.
You might be able to take your course in one day or over several weeks; either way, most programs will require at least four hours out of your day while they're being taught.
How long is your CPR certification good for?
The answer is that it depends on where you're getting your certification. In some states, your certificate will expire after two years and then have to be renewed by taking a refresher course. Other states require that you recertify every year.
If you don't renew your certification within the allotted time frame--or if you've never had any formal training at all--you'll have to take the full course again in order to get certified again. This means paying for another class.
It also depends on how often people need their skills refreshed: some people only need to renew every few years while others may find themselves needing new skills more frequently because they work in high-risk fields like nursing or emergency response teams where they might encounter situations requiring CPR more often than other professions do (and thus need refresher courses more frequently).
How do you find the best CPR certification course for you?
When you're considering a CPR certification course, it's important to do your homework. If a provider doesn't have the right credentials or instructors, or if they aren't located nearby and won't be able to provide convenient scheduling options for you, that could be a deal breaker. The same goes for cost: while some people may be willing to pay for their first-ever CPR certification class, other individuals might prefer something more affordable.
If this sounds like something that would make sense in your life right now, then go ahead and start looking into different providers today! You can find some great ones online by searching "CPR classes near me" on Google Maps or another search engine of your choice (just remember not all providers will show up). Once you've found one with good reviews from previous students--and after reading over their website carefully so that nothing catches your eye as being suspicious--it's time for step two: contacting them directly via email/phone call/Facebook message etc., which is where most companies list out contact information anyway since most people don't want spammy ads sent straight into their inboxes every day...
When should you take a CPR class?
- If you are pregnant
- If you are a health care professional
- If you have young children or a loved one at risk for sudden cardiac arrest (SCA)
- If you are an EMT or paramedic, lifeguard or first responder, babysitter/nanny, personal trainer or fitness instructor and/or educator (teacher), teacher's aide, coach
There are several different types of certifications, all with their own set of requirements.
There are several different types of certifications, all with their own set of requirements. The certification for basic life support (BLS). The advanced life support. You can also get certified through organizations, which provides the instructor training required to teach CPR courses at your workplace or other location.
The average cost depending on which organization you choose to go with and whether or not there's an affiliated group discount available to students or members who already belong to another organization.
Conclusion
We hope that this article has helped you understand the differences between CPR certification and training. Remember, it's important to choose the right type of course for your needs and budget so that you can be confident in your skills when faced with an emergency situation. You should also plan ahead by taking classes before their expiration date so that they don't lapse in case anything happens unexpectedly!