Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) is an invaluable skill that can potentially help you save a life one day. The course can be completed in as little as a few hours, and at the end of it, you’ll have a certificate of attainment in CPR administration. Having to administer CPR to someone is something we hope will never happen, but if it does you want to how you can help. Knowing what to do or not can be life or death for the casualty.

Why take a CPR course?

Cardiac arrest has a very poor survival rate. For the casualty to have any chance of making it, CPR must be administered in the first few minutes. During a cardiac arrest, the body’s vital organs are deprived of precious oxygen and irreversible tissue damage can occur. Knowing what to do in those first few crucial moments can enable you to act quickly and you may just save someone’s life by doing so.

What will I learn in a CPR course?

A CPR course involves both theoretical and practical components. You will be guided throughout the entire process and be taught what to do step by step if someone is unresponsive and not breathing. You learn how to:

  • Identify when someone has had a possible cardiac arrest
  • How to examine the casualty
  • Check the scene for danger
  • When to call for help
  • The basic life support compressions and breaths
  • How to use a defibrillator

Doing a CPR course involves practising on a mannequin. This is a great way to learn as CPR mannequins click when you push down on the chest when you use the right amount of pressure.

Is a CPR course the same as a first aid course?

In short, no. They are completely different courses however, they both involve helping others and administering medical assistance. A CPR course is solely learning about how to provide CPR effectively. A first aid training Gold Coast course is learning how to administer basic first aid to treat injuries and ailments.

Can I do a CPR course and first aid course together?

Yes, many training providers will offer a first aid and CPR course together and usually, you’ll do one course first, followed by the second. You will receive two separate certificates at the end of each course. These include:

  • A Certificate of Attainment in First Aid
  • A Certificate of Attainment in Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)

How long is a CPR certificate valid?

A CPR certificate needs to be renewed every 12 months to be valid. If you need a valid CPR certificate for your employment, you’ll need to ensure you get this renewed before it expires. Waiting until past the expiry date may see you be stood down temporarily until you have completed it.

Who can benefit from taking a CPR course?

Anyone can benefit from partaking in a CPR course, even if you don’t require it for work. You never know when you’ll be a bystander to an unresponsive person. You may just save their life!

How much does it cost to do a CPR course?

The price can vary depending on the training provider however, the price is usually around $80. This includes your certificate of attainment. You might get a slight discount if you combine a first aid course with your CPR course.

What do I have to bring to a CPR course?

It’s a good idea to wear comfortable clothing as you’ll be on the floor participating in CPR practice on a mannequin. You should also bring along a pen and paper for note-taking.

Is a CPR course hard?

No, anyone can learn how to do CPR! It is as simple as resighting the alphabet with DRS ABCD. Here’s how:

D – D stands for danger. Before attempting to help a casualty, ensure that the area is safe for you to do so first.

R – R is for response. Firstly, you should try to get a response from the casualty before doing CPR. You can do this by shaking them on the shoulder and asking them if they are ok.

S – S stands for send for help. Shout out for help if people are standing by. Tell them to call 000.

A – A is for airway. Tilt the casualty’s head back to open the airway.

B – B is for breathing. Look, to see if the chest is moving. Listen and feel to hear if they are breathing from the mouth by placing your face near theirs.

C – C is for CPR. You should start CPR if the casualty is not breathing or their breathing is irregular or laboured. This is done by administering rescue breaths and chest compressions.

D – D is for defibrillation. If there is a defibrillator nearby, this should be used following the instructions given by the device.

These steps mentioned above need to be done quickly. Every minute that goes by, the poorer outcome for the casualty.

What to look for in a CPR training provider

There are a few important things to look for when choosing a CPR training provider, including:

The course they offer is nationally accredited

If you need your CPR certificate for employment purposes, the training provider you choose must be nationally accredited. Most employers will not accept a CPR certificate of attainment if it has not been completed by a nationally accredited training provider.

They are a registered training organisation (RTO)

The business you choose should be a registered training provider.

Small group sizes

A smaller group means that you have plenty of time to practice on the mannequins and ask as many questions as you need. This ensures you gain a full understanding of how to administer CPR upon completion of your course.

Ready to enrol in a CPR course?

We hope this post has inspired you to take that CPR course. You never know if and when you’ll need to use it, and for only three hours of your time, it’s worth doing. At Paradise First Aid, we run comprehensive CPR courses and so much more. We’re conveniently located on the Gold Coast and have multiple classes per week. If you’d like more information, head to our website or contact us on 0755725299.