How to Become Certified to Teach CPR First Responder & First Aid

Becoming a certified instructor in CPR and first aid can be fulfilling and useful. Not only do you learn valuable skills yourself; you're also responsible for teaching others who may become potential lifesavers. However, to become a certified CPR and first-aid instructor, you need to possess the correct materials, teach from a lesson plan created by a reputable organization, and have confidence and patience as a public speaker.

Things You'll Need

• Mannequin
• Alcohol wipes
• First-aid kit
• CD-ROM or television
• Lesson plan

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Instructions

• 1

  Complete a certified CPR and first-aid course to hone your skills. Courses vary in length but are usually 6 to 10 hours and can be taken at once or spread out over days, depending on the needs of the class.

• 2

  Participate in a class online. Some organizations, such as the American Heart Association (AHA), offer instructor courses via the Internet. For those who've already completed their instructor courses, the AHA also offers continuing-credit education online.

• 3

  Contact local community colleges, hospitals, police or fire departments if you would prefer hands-on experience. These organizations may offer on-site courses if you're not comfortable learning long distance.

• 4

  Collect your materials, such as a sample first-aid kit, CPR masks and alcohol wipes. The organization that provides the lesson plans usually can also supply the physical tools you need to teach a class, often at cost. The AHA, for example, provides a CD-ROM for its instructor training course.