It's hard to know what the best way to get CPR certified is, especially if you've been out of practice for a while. But fear not! It turns out that most myths about CPR certification are just that: myths.
You don't need to take a class.
You don't need to take a class, but it's a good idea.
You can learn CPR on your own and become certified without ever stepping foot into a classroom. If you have time and resources, this is an option that will allow you to practice what you've learned while earning certification at the same time. However, there are some downsides: firstly, those who teach themselves may not gain as much from their studies as those who take classes; secondly, the materials used in self-study courses vary widely and may not be as comprehensive or up-to-date as those offered by professional instructors; finally (and most importantly), there's no guarantee that any given self-study course will prepare students adequately for the certification exams administered by organizations.
As long as I'm going through all this effort anyway...why not?
If nothing else--and especially if they work with children--it's worth considering getting CPR certified just because it will make life easier down the road when applying for jobs or internships where CPR certification is required or preferred by employers/employers' insurance companies."
You can get certified using a book or an app.
You cannot get certified using a book or an app. You need to be trained by a qualified instructor in a hands-on environment.
CPR certification standards vary from organization to organization, but all require candidates to demonstrate the ability to perform CPR on manikins or other devices that simulate human anatomy.
The latest CPR guidelines are published every five years and updated when new medical research emerges. This means that even if you've been certified within the past few years, it might not be up-to-date enough for your employer's needs (or even yours).
CPR certification lasts forever.
CPR certification lasts forever.
In reality, your CPR certification is only valid for a certain amount of time. Most certifications are good for two years, but some can be valid for up to seven years. If you're unsure how long your certification will last, check with the organization that issued it or look at their website.
CPR certification is only needed for health care professionals.
CPR certification is not just for health care professionals. Anyone who wants to learn how to save a life should consider becoming certified in basic life support (BLS). BLS training teaches you how to perform CPR on adults, children, and infants, as well as how to use an automated external defibrillator (AED).
There are many reasons why anyone would want to learn CPR: maybe it's your job; maybe you're interested in volunteering at hospitals or community centers; or maybe you just want the knowledge so that if someone were ever hurt around you and needed immediate attention, you'd be ready. Regardless of why someone chooses this path toward being prepared for emergencies, learning BLS is something that can benefit any person--and it doesn't require any medical background!
The latest guidelines for CPR change every few years.
The latest guidelines for CPR change every few years.
The publishes a set of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) guidelines every few years, based on the most up-to-date science and research available at the time. These guidelines are intended to help healthcare professionals provide optimal care for patients who need CPR, but they're not set in stone; if new research comes out that shows an older method wasn't as effective as previously believed, it may prompt a change in how we approach resuscitation efforts--and vice versa.
The also offers an online repository where you can find all its most recent publications related to resuscitation techniques.
Takeaway:
The takeaway from this article is that you should get CPR certified. It's an important skill to have, and it doesn't require taking a class or spending money on a certification course. You can learn how to perform CPR using a book or app. And if you have time and money, it might be worth taking a formal class anyway--but either way, having your certification will ensure that you're prepared for any situation where someone needs help breathing again.
CPR certification lasts forever; there aren't any expiration dates associated with it! That said, keep in mind that guidelines for performing CPR do change over time as medical research advances; the latest guidelines were published in 2010.
Conclusion
We hope that this article has helped you to get a better understanding of CPR certification, its benefits, and its limitations. While it's true that there are some myths out there about how easy it is to get certified and how long your certification will last, we believe that it's still worth investing in yourself as an individual by taking the time to learn these life-saving skills. In addition, if you have any questions about which course would be best suited for your needs or would like more information on what exactly "advanced" CPR entails then please don't hesitate.