It is often compulsory for people working in schools, daycare facilities, medical organizations, etc. to takea first aid course. Other non-medical individuals, parents and other employees may also look for first aid courses to prepare for any unforeseen circumstances. First aid courses are readily available and it is recommended that you get your first aid certification.

Five points that you should know if you are considering joining a first aid course are below:

– Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation or CPR is an integral part of first aid courses. CPR is a procedure given to heart attack victims in emergency situations. The American Heart Association says that CPR includes both chest compressions and rescue breathing in order to keep continued flow of blood to the heart and the brain until the situation comes back to normal. First aid courses teach you how to detect and perform emergency techniques for conditions like poisoning, shock, wounds, seizures and head injuries. CPR and first aid courses are aimed at preparing you to handle the victims until medical help arrives.

– Basic first aid, adult CPR and child and infant CPR with AED (Automated External Defibrillator) are all included in the first aid courses. The American Red Cross also provides extra training regarding bloodborne pathogen, injury prevention and oxygen administration if you are interested.

– You can find out aboutcourse providers in your locality on the internet. The American Heart Association and the American Red Cross provide established classroom training as well as combination courses with both online classes as well as hands-on classroom teaching. Other than these two associations, first aid courses are offered by other organizations also. But all the courses may not be certified. Therefore before joining a first aid course check with your employer to make sure the course meets your company’s requirements.

– Make sure that at the end of your course you get a certification. Most first aid courses give you only a temporary certification. The certificate given by the American Heart Association lasts for two years, while the one awarded by the American Red Cross is valid for three years. There are certain courses that are valid for one year only such as the infant and child CPR courses and adult CPR with AED which are given by the American Red Cross. On the other hand the same courses by the American Heart Association award a certification valid for two years. Once your certification expires it can be renewed.

– Having a CPR certification does not make it compulsory for you to carry out these emergency procedures in public other than if you’re at work and your company requires it. However, once you have begun CPR or any other first aid procedure you must continue until professional medical help arrives. CPR and first aid provided immediately on the scene increases the victim’s chances of survival.

You never know when you may be at the scene of an accident. And if you ever are, you definitely want to be prepared. First aid courses ensure that you are equipped with information and skills suitable to handle any crisis. This in itself makes it valuable.

For more information, please visit our First Aid Courses website.

For more information, please visit our First Aid Courses website http://www.firstaidexams.com/

Author Bio: For more information, please visit our First Aid Courses website.

Category: Advice
Keywords: first aid certification,First Aid ,health care ,First aid training,First Aid Courses