The year 2010 celebrates the 50th anniversary of CPR. There are a lot of good reasons for training to respond to an emergency situation. But according to the American Heart Association, the lifesaving action, known as cardiopulmonary resuscitation, can double a person's chance of surviving after suffering a sudden cardiac arrest. Since 1960 health care professionals and laypersons certified in CPR have been saving lives with this technique, which combines mouth-to-mouth breathing with chest compressions.
Step 1
Ask your employer if the organization offers on-site CPR certification courses. If your employer requires CPR certification, the organization might be a training center for the American Red Cross or another CPR certifying body. Find out when the next CPR training course is scheduled once you establish that you can be certified through your employer.
Step 2
Check with local hospitals, nursing homes and other health care facilities in your community to find CPR training courses that are open to the public. Many workplaces, which are required to offer CPR training for their employees, will allow individuals who are not employees to attend the training course for a fee. The fee usually covers the cost for training materials.
Step 3
Locate a chapter of the American Red Cross or American Heart Association in your area. Contact the chapter to request a list of CPR training courses being offered. Enroll in a course that will work with your schedule.
Step 4
Attend the CPR training course so you are eligible for certification. Training courses are generally completed within a few hours. Most training courses include a classroom lecture portion in which you review information in training manuals and handouts. You will then watch instructional videos and demonstrations by your instructor.
Step 5
Practice CPR skills as instructed by the CPR trainer. Ask your instructor if you have any questions about how to perform the technique. Listen carefully to any feedback the instructor offers about your ability. You must successfully complete all hands-on demonstrations on a CPR mannequin in order to be eligible to take the certification exam.
Step 6
Complete and pass the exam. You will be required to complete a written exam as well as to demonstrate your competency at performing CPR. If you do not pass the exam, you will receive instructions on how you can attempt to become CPR certified at a later date.
Tips and Warnings
- While some employers may accept online CPR certification, it takes actual practice to learn the skills required. Hands-on training may make you more confident in your abilities.
