Enroll In AHA CPR Training Courses And Save Lives


This article points out that enrolling in an AHA CPR training course can allow you to help save the life of a victim who has suffered sudden cardiac arrest. According to the American Heart Association (AHA), 75 to 85 percent of cardiac arrests that occur outside the hospital happen in the home. Therefore, there is a possibility that you may witness sudden cardiac arrest in one of your family members. The cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) method can buy time for the victim because it allows oxygenated blood to get to the brain. Immediate action is vital because only four minutes after the onset of the cardiac arrest, brain damage could begin and two minutes later, death may occur. Through CPR, the vital organs of the victim may continue to function while waiting for the paramedics to arrive. Meanwhile, one important reason for considering an AHA CPR training program is due to the fact that AHA is the organization that regularly updates the guidelines for CPR.

When members of the family are knowledgeable about CPR instructions, the chances of survival of a family member who experiences sudden cardiac arrest are much better. This condition has many possible reasons and these include heart attack, suffocation, electric shock, drowning, and drug overdose. In classes for CPR provided by AHA, it is emphasized that uninterrupted chest compressions are vital in enhancing the chances of that person to survive. AHA has stressed the need to minimize interruptions in between chest compressions because blood flow stops every time the rescuer stops compression. The new CPR guidelines recommend making 100 chest compressions for every minute except for infants. This is very important because blood flow delivers oxygenated blood to the vital organs.

Meanwhile, AHA CPR training programs can be very helpful in the efforts of a person to obtain certification. This document is required for certain types of workers, including some teachers, Boy Scouts, lifeguards and personal trainers. In other occupations, while CPR skills are not required, having them can help in obtaining a position as a coach or as a babysitter. The Emergency Cardiovascular Programs Department of AHA provides courses on CPR training and these include Heartsaver First Aid, CPR for Friends and Family, and the Heartsaver AED courses.

AHA CPR training programs are also being offered online. These are less costly and because no instructor is needed. These courses also provide the benefit of allowing the participant to set his or her own pace depending on how much free time is available. And aside from CPR, you may also want to learn about first aid, which is also essential for medical emergencies. This could be helpful in choking, electric shock, head injury, scrapes, fractures, bruises, burns, nosebleed, puncture wounds, cuts and bite wounds. For this particular course, you will have to prepare various items, such as sterile gauze pads, hypoallergenic adhesive tape, needle, adhesive bandages, antiseptic, scissors, tweezers, safety pins, thermometer, tongue blades, face masks, latex gloves, antibiotic ointment, soap and petroleum jelly. Another important course focuses on the use of the automated external defibrillator, which is helpful when there is a shockable rhythm after CPR.