First Aid Refresher Training

First aid training helps people treat minor injuries and can help reduce panic when medical emergencies occur. Organizations such as the American Red Cross and the American Heart Association (AHA), as well as local fire departments, schools and hospitals, offer first aid training classes. Training can also be done online. First aid is also taught to health care professionals such as EMTs, paramedics and nurses. Cards are issued to those who become certified in first aid. First aid cards expire after a certain amount of time that is usually determined by the state or instructor.

Advances in Medicine

• Health care and medicine is continuously changing thanks to advances in technology and information. These frequent changes make it necessary for continuous education, which allows an individual to stay up-to-date with current treatments and techniques. One example is CPR. CPR technique has changed several times since it became common practice. In 2005, the AHA changed its recommended guidelines for performing CPR.

Continuing Education

• Continuing education can be completed in a traditional classroom setting.

  Continuing education classes are necessary to become re-certified in first aid. These classes can be taken individually or in a refresher course. A refresher course takes all of the necessary continuing education requirements and combines them into one single course that may be given in one day or over a span of several days. Some states may require a completion of a refresher course to be re-certified in first aid while others may allow the required continuing education be taken as individual classes or lectures.

Locating Refresher Course

• Refresher courses and continuing education can be done both online and in person. Some refresher courses can be completed online but may require the final exam be done in person at a set location. Local refresher courses can be found by contacting the American Red Cross, a fire department, hospital or online. Courses may also be found at local schools and universities. Each state determines the amount and types of education needed to re-certify in first aid. Before deciding which refresher course is best make sure it meets the requirements needed to re-certify.

Skills Testing

• Bleeding control is taught in first aid training.

  Refresher courses teach all of the information, including skills testing, needed to qualify for re-certification. Skills refer to the ability to use equipment and perform procedures properly. Backboards, splints and oral airways are some of the equipment used to test skills. Abilities to treat conditions such as bleeding, swelling or broken bones are also tested. Some states may require skills be tested as part of the continuing education. Skills testing is often included during a first aid refresher course. It can be accomplished both in person and online using simulated patients and scenarios.

Re-certification

• A certificate of completion for the first aid refresher course, or each class, must be sent in along with a completed renewal or re-certification application. It may take up to several weeks for the application to be processed and re-certification awarded. Make sure the application is sent, through the mail or online, early enough to become re-certified prior to the current card's expiration to avoid a lapse in certification. A new card will be issued to those who complete the requirements.