Every year, an astonishing number of individuals worldwide suffer from cardiac arrest, with just a small portion receiving CPR. Immediate CPR can increase a person’s chances of survival significantly. Those who learn CPR could become motivated to save others and majorly influence their communities.
CPR lessons teach people how to spot the symptoms of cardiac arrest, do chest compressions, and perform rescue breathing. They also teach people how to use automated external defibrillators (AEDs) – tools that can assist in restarting a person’s heart.
Cardiopulmonary resuscitation is a life-saving emergency medical therapy that provides oxygen to the brain and other essential organs during a cardiac arrest. CPR is an intervention that anybody trained in the procedure can do.
With people becoming more aware of the value of CPR training in recent years, the question “What Do You Learn In CPR Classes?” comes up naturally. In this article, we will cover CPR and what CPR training includes.
What Exactly is CPR?
CPR stands for Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation, a set of measures used to resuscitate someone going into cardiac arrest, someone who has stopped breathing, or in possible choking, suffocation cases, or other potentially fatal conditions. Because these are life-or-death circumstances, a thorough grasp of the techniques is crucial, requiring you to undergo CPR training.
According to the American Heart Association stats, more than 350,000 out-of-hospital medical emergencies like these occur in the United States each year. Approximately 90% of individuals die during an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest.
Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrests (OHCA) occur most frequently in residences (73.4%), followed by public settings (16.3%) and nursing facilities (10.3%). If administered on time, first aid and CPR can increase a person’s likelihood of surviving a cardiac arrest by two or three times. Anyone could significantly improve the chances of survival for someone in need by knowing CPR and being ready to help in an emergency.
CPR Training
CPR training is not mandatory but may be a requirement in some professions. These comprehensive classes are appropriate for everybody, regardless of occupation or age.
As an important part of getting certified, there are several types of CPR training to choose from depending on the needs and requirements.
- Basic Life Support, or BLS, is intended for healthcare workers like paramedics, nurses, and doctors. Advanced CPR methods and the use of specialist equipment such as defibrillators are covered in this type of training.
- Pediatric CPR is particularly developed for newborns and toddlers. This training also addresses the specific methods and attention for CPR in children up to puberty, weighing less than 121 pounds. To save a child’s life in the event of a cardiac emergency, parents, daycare providers, and anyone else who engages with children daily should undergo pediatric CPR training.
- ACLS stands for Advanced Cardiac Life Support and is designed for healthcare workers who work in critical care environments such as emergency rooms and intensive care units.
The general population and non-healthcare professionals can also get CPR training. Some may require the knowledge to care for a family member or friend, and others just want to be prepared should an emergency arise. They can attend classes to learn fundamental CPR skills like rescue breathing and chest compressions.
Course and Certificate Duration
CPR training duration varies based on the selected provider and training. Aside from choosing the course you want to attend, you can also pick if you wish to take an in-person course or attend an online class from the comfort of your home. Hands-on training is a benefit of in-person courses, while people with busy schedules may prefer the adaptability and convenience of online courses.
Participants who finish CPR training are awarded a certificate indicating that they have successfully finished the learning program and have gained proficiency in CPR. Certification is usually valid for two years, after which the certified participants must take a refresher course or get recertified to keep their certification. Recertification courses are often shorter than original certification courses and can be taken online or in person.
Required CPR Knowledge
Responders should have a basic grasp of the physiological and anatomical functions of the lungs and heart. With this expertise, they can recognize cardiac arrest signs and assess the condition of an unconscious person.
The victim’s life could depend on how quickly and successfully the responder reacts to a cardiac emergency. That is why responders must possess the knowledge and skills to administer CPR properly.
Basic Heart and Lung Anatomy and Physiology
The heart is the main organ in the cardiovascular system pumping blood throughout the body. On the other hand, the lungs are part of the respiratory system that oxygenates the blood.
Responders should have a basic knowledge of the heart and lungs’ anatomy and function. This means knowing the role of the heart, blood circulation throughout the body, as well as the exchange of carbon dioxide and oxygen in the lungs.
Identifying Cardiac Arrest Symptoms
Cardiac arrest happens when the heart stops beating unexpectedly or beats sporadically, resulting in a shortage of blood supply to the brain as well as other important organs. It is critical to notice the signs of cardiac arrest as soon as possible, which include rapid collapses, unconsciousness, lack of pulse, or not breathing.
Assessing and Treating the Unconscious
Responders must always first check for responsiveness, respiration, and pulse in an unconscious person. Administer CPR immediately if the person is not in a conscious state or is not breathing. Responders should provide chest compressions, rescue breaths, and, if accessible, utilize an AED.
Different CPR Skills
The choice of CPR courses and certification depends on our needs and requirements. It depends on whether we need the certificate for personal or professional purposes. So, what do you learn in CPR classes? You will be taught many skills, and here are some of them.
- Hands-only CPR: Entails merely conducting chest compressions and no rescue breaths. It is suggested to those who have not received CPR training or are uncomfortable giving rescue breaths. Adult cardiac arrest sufferers whose collapse is attributed to a cardiac reason benefit from hands-only CPR.
- CPR using rescue breaths: This method incorporates chest compressions with rescue breaths. It is advised for infants and toddlers, as well as adults suffering from drowning, overdoses, or other respiratory problems.
- Usage of automated external defibrillators (AEDs): AEDs are devices that evaluate a person’s cardiac rhythm and, if necessary, administer an electric shock. AEDs are found in a variety of public areas and are easy to use. It’s advised that AEDs are to be used in combination with CPR.
- Chest compressions: The core of CPR is chest compressions. Applying pressure on the chest stimulates blood flow via the heart along with other important organs. Chest compressions performed correctly can assist in sustaining blood circulation until an emergency response team arrives.
More CPR procedures can be employed alongside the ones listed above, depending on what is happening. You decide what would be useful if you find yourself in a tough situation. However, you don’t need to worry as much if you’ve taken a CPR class.
The Importance of Learning CPR Skills and Techniques
Learning CPR skills is essential in training people to respond to an emergency. It is critical to remember that techniques taught during CPR classes have to be practiced on a regular basis in order to preserve competency. Those who continuously practice CPR skills become more confident and skilled in performing the method when needed and get to keep up their certification.
Improve CPR skills by using simulation training and scenarios. Practice these skills in a controlled setting that simulates real-life events during simulation training.
Individuals can maintain their skills and build assurance in CPR when needed by routinely practicing CPR skills through practice sessions and reimagining possible real-life circumstances.
Final Thoughts
Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation is a life-saving technique used to revive or keep people suffering from a cardiac arrest or other life-threatening situations alive. Due to its capacity to keep the brain and other vital organs running through oxygenation, immediate administration of CPR greatly improves a person’s chances of surviving after a medical emergency.
Training includes learning rescue breathing methods, chest compressions, and utilizing an automated external defibrillator (AED). Responders must know how to recognize cardiac arrest signs and develop procedures for diagnosing and treating the unconscious. CPR is a critical skill that can mean the difference during a medical emergency. Everyone can become a potential lifesaver by completing a CPR course and maintaining certification.