Cardiopulmonary resuscitation training for victims of all ages is delineated as adult, child and infant CPR. Upon completion of the course, you will be able to respond in critical life-threatening situations with the age-appropriate procedure. The American Heart Association states that, "Effective bystander CPR, provided immediately after sudden cardiac arrest, can double or triple a victim's chance of survival." The Mayo Clinic staff recommends taking an accredited CPR course that includes training in the use of an automatic external defibrillator.
Curriculum
Expect to receive training in recognizing an emergency situation, what to do if the person is unconscious or unresponsive, what to do if you are alone in a crisis situation, the legal liabilities involved in helping a stranger, as well as how to perform CPR on an adult, child, between the ages of 1 and 12 years, and infant. You will be taught basic physiology and anatomy of the cardiorespiratory system. Videos, lecture and practice on mannequins are components of a well-rounded curriculum. The entire CPR training and testing can be completed in one classroom session, the American Heart Association says.
Costs and Time Required
The Basic Life Support course offered by the American Heart Association, which covers CPR for adult, child and infant, takes 4 1/2 to 5 hours in a classroom setting. Costs vary, as all training centers are operated independently and can set their own prices. The American Red Cross offers training for Adult, Child and Infant CPR including AED for $79, completed in seven hours. The American Red Cross offers standardized courses, training and pricing across the United States.
Online CPR Training Courses
Both the American Red Cross and American Heart Association offer online training courses. You won't find pricing for the online classes offered by AHA since prices are set by the instructor or training center. You must contact each center or instructor individually for that information and to confirm your registration. The American Red Cross CPR for adults, children and infants web-based course is a prerequisite for the required hands-on skill session at one of their its. Price is $50 and the instruction can take up to 3 1/2 hours.
Certification and Recertification
Both the Red Cross and AHA offer a certification card upon successful completion of their courses. The Red Cross certification is valid for one year, while a certification from the American Heart Association is good for two years. Upon expiration of your certification card you must retake the full course and pass the test to receive another card. Some instructors may allow you to take the written and skill tests without having to sit through the videos, lecture or practicum.
Considerations
Because the American Red Cross and American Heart Association have many instructors in the field, courses can be tailored to fit your needs. Consider recruiting a group for CPR training, which could help to reduce costs. Invite the instructor to train at your facility for convenience. Some instructors will allow you to audit a course for free if you feel you need to refresh your skills before your card expires. There may be additional costs for course material.The American Red Cross also offers course materials in Spanish.
