I decided a couple of years ago to go to nursing school. I knew it was going to be a difficult road but I found it to be very interesting.
One of the classes was a CPR and First Aid Class. I thought, “Oh boy, can I really do this?” I was not sure how I was going to handle it. But you know something, It wasn’t bad at all. The written part was actually fairly easy. Then came the hands-on part, there was not a lot left to do.
Our instructor showed us what we were supposed to do and she demonstrated the procedure for doing CPR. We then had about an hour to practice on our own or with a partner. We practiced and practiced, and then we had to wait our turn to do the CPR procedure and explain to your instructor what we had to do.
We had to explain about the 2 breaths and 30 compressions and then demonstrate how to do it. It was actually very easy to do. I will admit I was a bit nervous but that is to be expected. After it was all done and over with, I felt a lot better about myself. I had passed the test on the first try. I was now ready to be there for someone if they really needed me to be. There is no feeling like that ever. I just want all those out there that may be scared to take that step. Don’t be concerned. It will be fine. If I can do it, so can you. You may be nervous and you may be scared. You wouldn’t be human if you weren’t. Just get into the class and do it. You will feel good about what you have learned and about yourself. You never know when you will have to save the life of a friend.
The history of CPR began with two doctors, James Elam and Dr. Peter Safar. The two doctors worked together to research and introduce the technique that we know today as CPR. CPR was first introduced to the public during the 1970’s.
It was Dr. Safar who conducted a lot of the research for the methods that are used in the procedures for CPR. Dr. Safar combined both the mouth to mouth and the chest compressions to become the basic life support method of CPR. He created the guidelines for the community for the Emergency Medical services and it was this good Dr. that founded the International Resuscitation Center or the IRRC located at the University of Pittsburgh. This Dr. who invented the methods of CPR was nominated three times for the Nobel Prize in Medicine.
Over many years, there have been many great men who have created methods for one thing or another. It is due to this wonderful man that we have the ability to train for the skills that we do. Without them doing their studies and practicing, we may not have been as lucky as we are today to have all the life saving skills that we do now. Similar skills to these go back as far as the 1800’s, but it wasn’t until the 20th century that CPR finally became public and the communities were able to start training. Dr. Safar wrote a book about CPR and even the boy scouts had it printed in their books for the scouts. CPR and the First Aid Certification is one of the most important classes a person can do to improve their life. Take a step in the right direction and see for yourself. This is a powerful skill that will not only help you and your self esteem. Go for it you boost yourself a little higher. Look for classes near you.
CPR and First Aid Training classes are very much worth the money. Depending on the area that you live in, the prices will vary greatly. Prices start at approximately $19.99 to $135.00. The cost covers the cost of books and materials and for taking the class. Some website offer free CPR certification.
Depending on your budget, you should shop around and see what the prices are for the classes. You have to understand that each CPR and First Aid Class costs separate. You will pay separate for the adult, child and infant classes plus you will pay extra for the first aid class. If you can find a class that is in your budget, try to sign up as soon as you can. The classes fill up quick. There are some online classes that they are doing for free. Then some of them are $19.99. For those that are in school, some of your courses may be designed around the CPR and First Aid course. Then the cost is included in your tuition and books for you courses.
No matter what the price, the classes are certainly worth the money for the skills that will last a life time. Is it better to pay $20 or $30 to be able to save someone’s life? I keep thinking that if it were me, I would want someone who will pay for the classes because you never know when you will be needed to assist in an emergency. I would try to come up with the money even if I had to borrow it. It would definitely be worth it. It would make me feel better knowing that someone took the time and money to learn skills that will not only benefit them but others as well. Think about what your family would want you to do as well. They would be proud of you for taking a step in the right direction.
There are a lot of careers in today’s society that require the use of CPR and First Aid Training. One such career is in the medical field. There are numerous avenues within the medical field that all require the use of CPR and First Aid. Some of those would be doctors, nurses, certified nursing assistant, Emergency Medical Technicians just to name a few. There are others that require the use of CPR and First Aid Training, Lifeguards would be one.
Many employers will require it as well. Child care workers also need CPR training. Logging workers, electricians, small confined space workers, social workers are just a few more that are required to have CPR and First Aid Training. I have known some people to get CPR training because they want to babysit. That is really a good idea. Children will put anything in their mouths and they could choke. They are known for getting into things they are not supposed to get into. If you get your free CPR certification, you would know exactly what you are to do.
Lifeguards have to have the training because they work around water. Whether it was at the beach or at a pool they are constantly on the lookout for people that get in trouble in the water. If they are at the beach, they go out too far and find they can’t make it back or they get caught in the undertow and can’t get back to the surface. As you can see there are many, many jobs that require the use of CPR for their jobs. A person can never be too prepared. When it comes to working with children or the public, things can happen in just a few seconds time. The training always provides you with all the knowledge that you need to help others and to provide them with a safe and caring environment.
Adult CPR is of course going to be somewhat different from a child or infant. The compressions are 30 compressions to 2 breaths. This means that for every 2 breaths of air you are putting into the lungs, you are also going to give 30 compressions. The compressions for an infant are done with two fingers. Usually the third and fourth fingers and the compressions for a child are done with the heel of the hand. They also get 30 compressions. The adult compressions are done with both hands. One hand is midway between the nipples, and the other hand goes over the top of the hand on the chest. They also get 30 compressions. For the infant, you give two puffs of air. You will put your mouth over the baby’s mouth and nose. If you blow just right, you will see the chest rise and fall. For the child and adult, you will hold the nose closed and cover the mouth with your mouth and give 2 breaths.
Although there are some similarities, there are also several differences. This is just to give you an idea of what it would be like to work on an adult, child or infant. Each one is given the same amount of breaths and compressions but it is administered differently to each one. Because of the size and age of the victim, you have to be very careful how your CPR is administered. I can be very easy to bust something or cause more damage than intended to. You have to remember that each case will be different. That is where your training would come in. Knowing what to look for when you come upon a victim is the most important thing to do before you start CPR or first aid. With the proper training, you will know exactly what to do in case of an emergency. Certain companies and organization even provide free CPR certification.
I can hear the people shouting the question. What is the difference between online CPR and First Aid Classes and the Hands-On classes? Well, the online classes are for the bookwork only. You will have to take the written test online. They will give you different modules to complete and you will be scored on those as well. You will have to watch video demonstrations as well. Then you have to sign up to go to a facility to do the hands on portion of the class. This might be a convenient way for some people to take the class but I don’t believe it is that beneficial.
If you have to go in to the facility to do the hands on portion, you might as well take the whole hands on class at the facility and get it done and over with then and there. If you are actually going to sign up for the classes and go to the facility, you will get your books and materials that you will get to keep. You will get the benefit of listening to an instructor explain what needs to be done. You will get to see a demonstration from the instructor up close and not on a small computer screen. Once they go over all the written material and you take and pass the written test. You will be able to go on to the hands on portion. This is the part where you get to play with the dummies. You will have to demonstrate how to do CPR on an adult and on a child.
Once you get through that and you pass, you will get your certification card in the mail. Sometimes they will have some available and all they have to do is sign it and give it to you. I believe that the hands-on training is a better way to go.
If you are interested in finding out who offers the classes for CPR and First Aid, you can browse online. That is if you have access to a computer. You can call the American Red Cross or your local health department. I have noticed that they are offering CPR and First Aid training online. It might be worth checking out but be careful. You should have to go to a facility and do the hands-on portion of the test. CPR and First Aid is a hand on training course.
The American Red Cross gives classes but they are to groups of people. Not individual classes. If you have a job, you can ask your employer if they offer CPR classes or find out if they can recommend someone. If you are going to school to be a nurse, you have to take the CPR and First Aid course. It is automatically included in the nursing schedule. Health classes at school will have someone come in and teach them CPR and First Aid. The American Heart Association is another place that offers the classes.
They cover international classes as well. They will teach people all over the world in many languages how to do CPR. The American Heart Association provides classes for the community, health care workers, workplace employees and those all over the globe. So as you can see, the two main organizations to go to are the American Red Cross and the American Heart Association. They are helping to make a difference in many people’s lives by giving them the skills they need to help others who may need help. These are organizations that work with local communities to give training and advice. You can always call around to find out when the next classes will be held and if there are any openings. Be sure to call and find out about the classes.
When I got aware of the rudiments of CPR, during my high school days, I considered it as none other than another of those futile efforts put in to effect by my school authorities. I really did not have the urge in me to get well trained in it though I understood it as a life saving effort.
But, slowly as I developed in to a healthcare professional, I realize the value of the time I had spent in getting accustomed to the elementary practices of CPR. Had I not done that then, I would not have been able to give a lot of victims, who hardly breathed when they were choking, a stream of “Fresh Air”; which eventually supported their sustenance until the first aid emergency team rush in. I could recall a number of incidents! Doing this gives me enough satisfaction. Really!
Though I was a bit shaky and fraught with distress when I first volunteered to help a victim, who had mistakenly swallowed a big chunk of meat, I have got rid of all that shakiness now. Thanks to the online CPR certification course that I applied myself into. After getting through the course I was confident of what I did, be it whatever; adult CPR, child CPR. Anything!
I knew what to do while resuscitating and pumping in the current of life-saving air through the victim’s mouth, which I always refer to as the “duct of second life”! Acknowledging what I learned from the course, I should admit it gave me a new dimension as to approaching such life-threatening instances and manage these crucial moments of victims’ life; at least until they are taken out from harm’s way by the emergency squad that flies in.
If you ask me I’d say Learn CPR and get certified. It helps either you or the one you are destined to save.
The benefits of having your CPR and First Aid Training are that you are learning skills that will last you a lifetime. You will also know what to do in case of an emergency. You will know how to treat a victim of a heart attack or stroke. You will be able to care and treat minor wounds. You will be taught about the different symptoms of heart attacks and strokes. Getting your free CPR certification also means that employers will be willing to hire someone that has that type of training. Many employers see that as a positive aspect because if someone on the job gets hurt or turns ill, they will have someone they can turn to in an emergency.
By having your training, it also gives a peace of mind like no other skills can give. Whether you know it or not, it will give your family peace of mind to know that you have your training in CPR and first aid. They may have many questions for you about what to look for when someone is not feeling well. You may even have enough knowledge or like the fact that you can help people and begin teaching the classes. I guess you might say that the biggest benefit of all is having the ability to save a person’s life. It makes you feel really good inside knowing that the person you saved will live a little bit longer and be able to enjoy the rest of his life. Saving a person’s life also creates a special bond between the rescuer and the victim. It is not the most ideal way to start a friendship, it will happen. The person you save will never forget what you have done for them. Their family won’t either. With the skills and the friendships, nothing will out weigh the benefits of being able to save a life.
CPR stands for Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation. You use CPR when someone is having a heart attack. It can be used to save someone’s life while you are waiting for an ambulance to get there. Cardiac portion consists of doing chest compressions and the Resuscitation consists of doing the breathing for the victim. CPR is one of the most important things you can learn in a lifetime. You just never know when or where you will need to use your new skills. Along with your CPR training you will also learn how to use the Automated External Defibrillator or the AED. The AED is as portable defibrillator that is being put in all stores for those that are CPR certified. Should a customer have a heart attack in the store or stop breathing, the defibrillator is there to use while you are waiting for emergency personal to arrive. Using your CPR and AED skills when an emergency arises could mean the difference between life and death.
First Aid is just as important to learn as is the CPR. First aid will teach you how to treat and care for wounds and what to do if someone is choking or going into shock. You first aid skills will work with your CPR when it comes to helping a victim. The most important thing to remember is don’t panic and try to get help if you see someone in trouble and stay with the victim until help arrives. If you don’t have your certification, you really should think about getting it. It could be a family member or a close friend that you may have to use you skills on. Don’t be afraid to give it a try. Whether an adult or a child, you could be the person who is in the right place at the right time. You could be the one to save their life.
