Types of CPR

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation, or CPR, is "... a combination of rescue breathing and chest compressions delivered to victims thought to be in cardiac arrest," according to the American Heart Association. The process may restore blood circulation and provide additional minutes necessary for an emergency care team to reach someone experiencing a near drowning, poisioning incident, smoke inhalation, or an accident. CPR training and education standards are set by the American Red Cross and the American Heart Association.

Family and Friends CPR

Community CPR (or Family and Friends CPR) is sometimes classified by the American Red Cross as Infant/Child and Adult CPR. The conventional technique formally included both breathing and chest compressions, but the AHA's new "Hands-Only" CPR training cites studies confirming that omission of the breathing component does not reduce the effectiveness of the traditional procedure. (The hand-only technique is only recommended for adults.) A formal course is offered by the AHA, but other agencies offer both video and on-line training for this basic procedure. The AHA course includes special procedures for using CPR on infants and young children.

Heartsaver CPR

Heartsaver CPR is an American Heart Association program that integrates first aid, training and practice sessions. The designation is used for people formally identified as workplace responders, including police, guards, and firefighters. The course includes removing foreign-body airway obstructions (FBAO) and four hours of training. At the completion of the formal training, a credential is given. This certification must be renewed every two years.

Healthcare Provider CPR

The BLS Healthcare Provider Course trains practitioners to identify "several life-threatening emergencies, provide CPR, use an AED [automated external defibrillator], and relieve choking in a safe, timely and effective manner," according to the AHA. The training is designed for professionals working in health care, whether licensed or non-licensed. This group includes nursing assistants, physician's assistants, occupational therapists, paramedics, physicians, and emergency medical technicians (EMT). The four-hour training earns a course completion card if a written exam is taken.

CPR/AED

The AHA describes the automated external defibrillator as "a computerized medical device" that is able to monitor the heart's rhythm and recognize when when CPR is not sufficient by itself. CPR is provided each time the AED makes a heart analysis. The AHA and the American Red Cross both offer combined courses in CPR and the use of the AED. The classes are designed for professional health care providers who routinely use the machine or have access to an AED at work.