The answer to this question has to be a resounding yes and if you are not yet certified in basic first aid skills you should book into a class as soon as possible. Why are the Red Cross classes so effective?

1) Certification is valid for one year only

Studies show that people will only retain new information for limited time periods. As soon as you pass your certification test you will start to forget little bits of information. By the time six months has passed your skills may be rusty. After all it is not like you will have to resuscitate someone every week or so. You should make a habit of reading a first aid manual or watching a training video on a periodic basis until the time comes to complete your CPR recertification training. This way you will ensure you are fully prepared if your services are needed.

2) “Hands On” skills practice.

It is all very well learning the theory on how to resuscitate someone but unless you have some practical practice sessions doing chest compressions you are unlikely to become very proficient at CPR. All Red Cross courses are instructor led and he or she will encourage both partner practice and skills practice on manikins. You benefit from individual guidance from the instructor so if you have any questions they will be answered.

3) Written performance assessments aren’t all that is required

This point relates to the last one. While almost all CPR training programs will make you sit a written test, not all of them will also make sure you pass a practical demonstration of your skills. But while we could all learn the medical knowledge required for brain surgery, nobody would want you to operate on a patient. The same applies to resuscitation techniques. Your skills should be assessed by the instructor observing you actually putting the theory you have learnt into action. The Red Cross certification program examines you on both practical and theoretical knowledge.

4) Up to date information

Not all training providers will use the latest guidelines on resuscitation techniques. The Red Cross instructors make sure the skills they are teaching to their classes are the most up to date possible.

5) Convenience

Let’s face facts. People are not going to become CPR certified unless they can attend classes at their own convenience. You cannot get much more convenient than having classes arranged in your local community or even at your place of work.

This article provides an overview of American Red Cross CPR training programs that are available in various places, including San Diego and the Imperial Counties, including online channels. It is claimed that CPR and first aid training by the Red Cross has several advantages including reasonable costs, convenience, and consistency of the courses at the different venues throughout the US. The courses are also complete when it comes to emergency preparedness because they do not only include cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) techniques but also training in automated external defibrillator (AED), first aid, community disaster education and blood-borne pathogens. Moreover, American Red Cross CPR training programs are developed by experts and conducted by certified instructors.

The Red Cross also provides CPR training online and this is known as the Blended Learning First Aid/CPR/AED Program. In this program, the first part of the training is conducted online. In the second part of the program, the students go to the training classroom and a certified instructor provides hands-on training to the participants. An essential advantage of this kind of Red Cross CPR training program is that students can work on the lessons at their own pace until they reach the second part of the program. Participants can also opt to take a short cut in the online courses and to test out of lessons.

Meanwhile, an important item that participants of the emergency preparedness programs is the disaster supplies kit, which every home and office must have. The components of the kit can be divided into six basic categories and these are food, water, first aid kit, clothing and bedding, emergency supplies, tools and special items. Some of the basic components of the first aid kit are gauze pads, triangular bandages, adhesive bandages, sterile dressing, gauze bandage, alcohol-based hand sanitizer, adhesive tape, cohesive bandage, antiseptic wipes, anti-bacterial ointment, tweezers, cold pack, scissors, non-latex gloves, and a CPR breathing barrier. The food supply should be for three days or more and these should be non-perishable food, food for infants, vitamins, high energy foods, staples, canned juices, canned foods, and comfort foods.

Red Cross CPR training is vital during emergencies because CPR is a procedure where you can save the life of someone who has gone into cardiac arrest. In this condition, oxygenated blood is not available to the brain and cause brain damage within four minutes. After six minutes, the victim may already be dead. Because emergency response teams are likely to require a longer time to reach the person, CPR is required to help him or her gain time before help arrives. Meanwhile, for homes and offices that are equipped with the AED, the Red Cross also provides important training on how to use this device to stop the arrhythmia in the victim. AED is used when the heart is still active but is in ventricular fibrillation or pulseless ventricular tachycardia. If there is no cardiac activity, the AED cannot be used and CPR must be utilized first to establish a shockable rhythm that the AED could successfully treat.