An Overview of the Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) Certification

We've all seen it on television - an innocent person is walking on a beach, dining in a restaurant, or at a family event. Suddenly, tragedy strikes and the person is suddenly clenching their chest and gasping for air - they're going into cardiac arrest and time is of the essence. The person falls to the ground, becoming unconscious, and a good samaritan runs over and starts implementing rescue breaths and chest compressions. After twenty or so compressions the person gasps for air and eyes shoot open as if they had been injected with epinephrine.

But that's Hollywood - synthetic, fabricated, and blown out of proportion. In most cases the person that needs CPR isn't going to be a random super model surfer, and someone isn't going to need just twenty chest compressions. Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation can be very dangerous, as it can be detrimental to the victim's health if it is administered wrong. Many people just think CPR means breathing into someones mouth a couple of times and pounding on their chest, but they're completely wrong.

Let me also state one more thing - the standards for CPR change every so often. For example, the ratio of rescue breaths to chest compressions have changed many times as it is.

In order to get a certification you must find a class. Classes may be found online, or through your local fire department or ambulance company. Hospitals and other medical clinics will also sometimes give classes for certifications, too. The classes don't take long, but hands on practice and a test is generally incorporated.

During this class, or classes, you'll learn an array of procedures that Hollywood "forgets" about. These include: checking for breathing and responsiveness, the chin-tilt/head-lift technique, checking for a pulse through the carotid artery, and other methods. You'll also learn the differences when it comes to administering CPR on an infant, a child, and an adult.

Luckily, there has been a God-send of an invention that has come out, and is becoming prevalent in many busy locations such as airports and other busy venues - the Automatic External Defibrillator (also known as an "AED"). An AED is a device that sends electrical shocks to victims, and, in some cases, even administers chest compressions. AEDs will also check the pulse of a patient and are generally easy to use. CPR certification classes should also teach students the importance of AEDs, but they should also inform them not to fully rely on them since they're not always readily available. Basic instructions are generally located on the back of the AED, or sometimes in or on the casing containing the AED itself.

Expect the Unexpected
When someone falls into cardiac arrest your mind will become jumbled and panic will probably ensue. Refer to your training from your certification class. Don't forget - always call 911.

You will be in for a surprise, too - conducting CPR on an actual person is nothing like conducting CPR on a dummy. The feeling of ribs moving and cracking, the sight of a victim's eyes rolling back into their head, and the sound of air being forcefully exhaled due to the chest compressions is enough to traumatize any person. Then there's the other psychologically traumatizing factors and dwindling questions: What if it's a child? What if it's a family member or friend? Who is around? Is there a crowd of people? What if I hurt the person in the long run? If I don't save them will I be blamed?

Take This to Heart
The best advice I can give to you is try. If you're certified than refer to your training in the case of a true emergency - you may save a life in the long run. I do not recommend giving rescue breaths without some sort of barrier, but that is discretionary to you, the person conducting CPR on a person. Many establishments will have some sort of rescue mask and/or latex gloves to aid you in conducting CPR in a safe manner.

Re-certification is necessary every two years due to ever-changing changes in cardiopulmonary resuscitation standards.