how to become a cpr instructor

How to Become a CPR Instructor

CPR or cardiopulmonary resuscitation is a lifesaving set of procedures that involves offering high-quality chest compression, rescue breaths, and the use of an automated external defibrillator (AED). CPR is offered when someone is experiencing cardiac arrest or respiratory failure.

CPR procedures work to keep oxygenated blood circulating throughout the body when the heart is no longer beating. CPR can keep someone alive long enough for emergency services to arrive. It's very important for as many people as possible to know how to administer CPR properly. Bystander CPR can make the difference between life and death.

Luckily, CPR procedures are fairly simple. It's not difficult to learn how to administer CPR, and anyone can become CPR certified. In fact, many organizations now offer online CPR certification. This means that you can learn proper CPR procedures from the comfort of your own home and on your own schedule.

However, while learning CPR and becoming CPR certified is a simple process that anyone can do, becoming a CPR instructor is necessarily more in-depth. CPR instructors are highly sought after, especially because CPR certification classes are so popular. Continue reading to find out all you need to know about becoming a CPR instructor.

What Do CPR Instructors Do?

Certified CPR instructors lead classes in resuscitation and caring for victims post-resuscitation. Instructors also help to coordinate CPR certification classes and may be involved in the scheduling of the classes. Most instructors must coordinate class times and schedule venues for hosting students during their training. Additionally, instructors must transport equipment, ensuring that it is well-maintained and sterilized. Furthermore, they evaluate student performance and sign all the necessary paperwork for certification.

Oftentimes, CPR instructors work for the American Heart Association (AHA), the American Red Cross (ARC), or a specific hospital. However, some instructors may also host online CPR certification courses, though online classes can typically be taught without an instructor.

Instructors must also be willing to be somewhat flexible with their schedules. Certified CPR instructors often must teach classes on nights and weekends in order to accommodate their students' schedules.

What is Taught in a CPR Course?

CPR instructors serve a very important role in society. They teach the essentials of lifesaving resuscitation procedures. Not only do they help medical professionals remain qualified to work in their field, but they also empower all of society to provide lifesaving service.

In a CPR certification course, individuals learn the following skills:

Identifying an emergency
Identifying an event of cardiac arrest
Determining when someone is choking or having respiratory failure
Assessing your surroundings for safety
Contacting first responders
Providing assistance to choking victims
Providing chest compressions
Providing rescue breaths
Knowing how to assist infants, children, and adults
Using an automated external defibrillator (AED)
Utilizing post-resuscitation procedures

How Do I Become a Certified CPR Instructor?

To become a certified CPR instructor, there are several steps involved. The important steps you must take include:

Obtain CPR Certification: To become a certified CPR instructor, you must first obtain your CPR certification. You can obtain your CPR certification online or via a national institute such as the American Heart Association (AHA) or the Red Cross.

Take The Instructor Course: Once you have completed your CPR certification, you can take the required instructor course. The Red Cross also requires that you take a pre-instructor exam before enrolling in their instructor course. However, AHA does not.

The Red Cross offers an instructor course known as the Fundamentals of Instructor Training (FIT). The AHA provides a Core Instructor Course. In both courses, you will learn how to plan and organize your CPR certification courses. Additionally, you will learn preparation, methods of teaching, assessment, and cultural sensitivity. You will receive a certificate when you have successfully completed the instructor course.

Complete CPR Instructor Training: The AHA and Red Cross both require that their instructors take a training course to prepare them to teach proper CPR procedures. They tend to focus their instruction on specific audiences such as childcare providers, lifeguards, and emergency responders.

Teach a Class: Once you have completed your instructor course and training, you will teach a class. If you're obtaining your instructor certification through the AHA, this first class will be monitored to ensure that you are properly disseminating information. However, the Red Cross does not require first-time instructors to be monitored.

Take Advantage of Instructor Resources: Both the AHA and Red Cross offer access to their extensive resources in order to help their instructors. These networks of resources often allow you to manage your courses and student records, access training modules, and generate student certificates.

Recertify: To stay up-to-date on your instructor certification, you will need to recertify every 2 years. With the Red Cross, you are eligible to recertify as long as you've taught at least one class in the past year. You will qualify for recertification with the AHA if you've taught at least 4 classes over the past 2 years. Make it easy by taking an online CPR recertification course.

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Becoming a certified CPR instructor is a wonderful way to give back to society, and it can also be an excellent source of income. To obtain your instructor certification, you may look to the American Heart Association, The American Red Cross, or another national organization.

To complete your instructor certification, you must go through the necessary steps. This includes obtaining your CPR certification, taking an instructor course, and also completing instructor training. Furthermore, you should always look to take advantage of the available instructor resources, and don't forget to renew your instructor certification every 2 years.