For anyone who wants to learn the basics of life saving procedures but may not be able to attend regular first aid classes, online CPR certification courses are an ideal way to learn the steps involved in providing CPR to someone whose heart has stopped beating. These courses are designed to teach the lay person how to respond in such situations and how to keep blood flow going until medical help arrives. They will cover such topics as:
- How to administer chest compressions depending on the age of the person
- How to check for unresponsiveness in adults and in infants
- Different methods to check for pulse
- How to determine if a victim is breathing
- How to ventilate a person who is unconscious
- The most common causes of airway obstruction
- How to clear a victim’s airway
Just as in traditional classroom programs, online CPR certification must be renewed on a regular basis, in most cases every two or three years. Since research in life saving techniques are constantly being monitored, new guidelines and procedures are often introduced. Having the latest information can make a huge difference in providing the proper care in an emergency situation. There are various levels of both traditional and online first aid and CPR certifications. Some of the skills that online classes cover generally include:
- Introduction to first aid
- Strokes and heart attacks
- Adult, child and infant CPR
- Choking in adults, children and infants (both conscious and unconscious)
- How to control bleeding
- Recognizing and treating shock
- Assessing a victim for illness and injuries
- Heat and cold related emergencies
- Poison control
- Pool safety
- Recognizing child abuse or neglect
- Bloodborne pathogens (exposure and reducing risk)
There are also a number of more advanced or specialized online CPR certification classes for those who require it. These programs will cover all the basics mentioned above and can include emergency situations such as:
- Musculoskeletal injuries
- Snake bites
- How to recognize and deal with victims who have diabetes
- Hypothermia and frostbite
- Head, neck and back injuries
- Seizures
- Eye injuries
- Allergic reactions
Most health care professionals agree that it is also important for children to be made aware of safety and how to call for help. It is especially important for any youth who babysit to enroll in a basic first aid course.
Those who already have their CPR certification benefit by taking an online CPR certification course as a way of reviewing the skills they have been taught. It is easy to forget details of things we have learned if they have not been used in some time. Completing an online first aid and CPR training program will help to refresh some of the guidelines and procedures that may have been forgotten since taking an initial class. Everyone can benefit from knowing what to do in case of an emergency and being able to act immediately can help save someone’s life.