Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) is a life-saving sequence of actions performed when a person’s heart has stopped beating or they are not breathing normally, a condition often called cardiac arrest. A standard CPR certification class is typically a hands-on, in-person training session that takes a few hours to complete. The goal of the course is to provide students with the knowledge and physical skills necessary to maintain blood flow and oxygen until professional medical help arrives.
Initial Steps and Emergency Assessment
The first section of any CPR course focuses on recognizing an emergency and prioritizing safety before intervention begins. Students learn to check the scene for hazards to ensure both the rescuer and the victim are safe. This is followed by establishing responsiveness by gently tapping the victim and asking, “Are you okay?”.
A person who is unresponsive or only gasping for air needs immediate aid. The class emphasizes the “check, call, care” process. After determining a lack of responsiveness and normal breathing, the next step is to activate the emergency response system. Students are trained to call 911 or direct a bystander to do so, and to retrieve an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) before initiating chest compressions.
Mastering Chest Compressions and Rescue Breaths
Once the emergency system has been activated, the core of the class shifts to the hands-on practice of chest compressions and rescue breaths on training mannequins. For adults, the recommended technique involves positioning the heel of one hand in the center of the chest, right over the breastbone, and pushing down with the other hand interlaced on top. The compressions must be delivered at a rate between 100 and 120 per minute, with a depth of at least two inches, to effectively circulate blood.
CPR training addresses the differences in technique for children and infants, as their smaller bodies require less force. For a child, the compression depth is adjusted to approximately two inches, or about one-third the depth of the chest, often using only one hand. Infant CPR requires greater precision, using two fingers on the center of the chest to compress to a depth of about 1.5 inches, which is also one-third the chest depth.
The class teaches students the 30 compressions to two rescue breaths ratio for all age groups in a single-rescuer scenario. For rescue breaths, the rescuer must use the head-tilt, chin-lift maneuver to open the airway, deliver a breath lasting about one second, and watch for a visible chest rise. Training also covers handling conscious and unconscious choking victims using abdominal thrusts for adults and children, and back blows and chest thrusts for infants.
Automated External Defibrillator Use
A portion of the course covers the use of an Automated External Defibrillator (AED), a portable device that delivers an electric shock to restore a normal heart rhythm. An AED is necessary because cardiac arrest is often caused by an electrical problem that manual CPR cannot fix alone. Students practice the steps for operation: powering on the device, attaching the electrode pads to the victim’s bare chest, and following the voice prompts given by the machine.
The training emphasizes minimizing interruptions in chest compressions while the pads are being applied and while the AED analyzes the heart rhythm. If the device advises a shock, the rescuer must ensure no one is touching the victim before pushing the shock button. After the shock is delivered, or if no shock is advised, the rescuer must immediately resume chest compressions, continuing the cycle until emergency medical services take over or the person shows signs of life.
Course Completion and Certification
Course completion involves a practical assessment where students must demonstrate the skills they have learned, often on a manikin that provides feedback on compression depth and rate. Many courses also require passing a written exam to test knowledge of the concepts covered. Upon successful demonstration of competency, the student receives a certification card from the accrediting organization, such as the American Heart Association or the American Red Cross.
This certification is typically valid for two years from the date of issue. To maintain an active certification, individuals must complete a renewal or refresher course before the expiration date. This renewal course is often shorter than the initial training.