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CPR Certification Course List

Coronary arrest, choking and drowning claim hundreds of thousands of lives every year. A bystander applying CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) immediately when an emergency arises can triple a victim's chance of survival. CPR certifications are a requirement for people in a growing number of fields today. Whether you can take basic classes or need advanced classes depends on the particular job you are becoming certified for.

  1. Certification Requirements

    • Anyone interested is eligible to take classes and achieve certification. Certifications are for one and two years, after which you will need to take a refresher course to update your certification. If you are getting certification to satisfy requirements for a job, check the specifics of the requirements for that industry. While there are many online classes available, you may need live training for an acceptable certification in some industries. Make sure that you choose a class provider that is accredited by the Red Cross or the American Heart Association, or your certification may not be valid and acceptable to employers.

    CPR Classes

    • CPR courses cover basic life support issues and emergency aid techniques for coronary arrest and airway passage blockages. Basic life support for children and infants differ from adult techniques and carry special certifications. Children and infant life support courses are given in both separate and combined courses, but separate certifications are given for these skills even when taken in combined courses. Certifications for children and infant CPR are usually one-year, rather than two-year, certifications.The Heart Saver course teaches first aid for heart and choking victims along with CPR and AED (automatic external defibrillator). This is the preferred course for those trying to meet certification requirements for jobs.

    AED Classes

    • CPR/AED combined courses teach students how to used defibrillators in emergencies along with CPR. These courses are important because of the amount of deaths that could be prevented using defibrillators. It is highly recommended to take AED classes when obtaining a CPR certificate. AED classes may be taken separately if you already have a recent certification in CPR. Some employers will also require first aid and other certifications along with CPR and AED. Check your industry requirements to make sure you are taking all of the required classes.

    Where To Take Classes

    • Some employers will have specific courses for employees to take at company facilities. If your employer doesn't offer classes or you want certification for your own benefit or to obtain employment, you can get classes, both live and online, from the Red Cross and the American Heart Association. OSHA also offers courses when the certification is job-related. Your local branch of these organizations can tell you where classes are being held in your community and what courses are currently available. Not all classes may be available at each provider facility, so you may need to look around to find the specific classes for your chosen certification.

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