Taking CPR classes gives you the crucial skills you need to save lives and be prepared in an emergency. Being able to act quickly can make the difference between life and death! CPR classes focus on many different aspects of this life-saving intervention and separate courses are offered so you fully understand the differences in how you should perform CPR on adults as opposed to children and infants.
You may be wondering why this is necessary – after all, CPR is CPR, right? Well, yes and no. Let’s take a look at the things you need to know before taking infant and child CPR classes.
Child and infant CPR steps differ from adult CPR steps
The first thing that you need to know is that child and infant CPR is slightly different than adult CPR. If you take a general CPR class for adults, you may not learn what you need to know to help young people during a medical emergency. Believe it or not, using the adult technique on a child or infant can cause a lot of damage and injury.
Child and infant CPR classes generally run longer than classes for adults
In child and infant CPR classes, expect to spend a little longer honing your skills. For one thing, you learn more than one way to perform CPR and how to determine the differences in age groups to choose the appropriate CPR procedure for each. You will likely spend an hour or two more in a child and infant class than in an adult one.
Some of you may need child and infant CPR classes
Some people don’t necessarily need to take a class on CPR for children and infants (though it’s always a good skill to know), but others may work in a job that requires it. Before signing up for a class, consider your career and home life. If you work with or have children, it’s a good idea to take a child and infant CPR class in addition to learning adult CPR.
Professions that utilize child and infant CPR
If you work or are planning to work in any of the following career fields, you might be required to take the class by your employer or you would benefit greatly from doing so. These professions include:
- Childcare providers. Your job is to care for children and infants and their parents are counting on you. These age groups are incredibly vulnerable and prone to accidents because they are still learning how to navigate the world around them. Children and babies are at risk of choking because they eat too fast or are just learning how to eat solid foods. They also don’t know to avoid dangerous situations. You need to be prepared for anything.
- Medical professionals, particularly pediatricians. If you are a medical professional, you are already required to be CPR certified. Since pediatricians focus specifically on the health and well-being of children and infants, they need child and infant CPR certification.
- School teachers and staff. If you work at an elementary school, it’s a good idea to be prepared to perform CPR on the children entrusted into your care. Being able to sustain life until emergency services arrive is crucial.
Parents
If you have a child or infant of your own, you should take a CPR class that focuses on adults, children, and infants or once designed specifically for children and infants. It just makes sense. If you are trained and prepared for anything, you increase the chances of your child surviving if disaster strikes.
There are different types of CPR classes to enroll in
When it comes to CPR classes, you are not limited to just one setting or one type of course. With the rise of the Internet, there are more options than ever for those who have no time to rearrange their lives to work around a restricted class schedule.
Traditional CPR classes
If you prefer to learn the old-fashioned way, there are plenty of child and infant CPR classes across the U.S. that take place in a classroom setting! Many times, local fire departments hold CPR classes. These classes are most well-suited for those who want more hands-on experience.
Online CPR Classes
Some people may not have the time or energy to find traditional CPR classes in their community. Other people may live in areas where those classes aren’t available. This does not mean that you should skip out on getting CPR certified and if you have access to the Internet, you won’t have to.
With ProCPR courses from ProTrainings, you can learn proper child and infant CPR procedures at your own pace. These classes are nationally accredited and follow the latest American Heart Association, ECC/ILCOR guidelines! Rest assured that you are getting top-notch education without ever leaving your home.
Blended CPR Classes
A blended CPR course is one that has online and classroom components. ProCPR offers blended courses, including one that covers CPR for all ages.
So, what have we learned? Keep these things in mind before taking a child and infant CPR class:
- Not all classes are alike. Some classes may only cover adult CPR. Always be sure that you are enrolling in a class that covers CPR for all ages or one designed specifically for children and infants.
- You will most likely spend more time in a child and infant CPR class because it covers more material and gives you the in-depth knowledge that you need to really hone your CPR skills for their populations.
- Anyone working with or around children, including parents, should consider signing up for a child and infant CPR class. The skills you learn are invaluable even if your job description does not require that you get certified.
- If you’re short on time, you can take classes without leaving your home! Whether you want hands-on experience or not, there is a child and infant CPR class out there to meet your needs.
What are you waiting for? Get signed up for a CPR class today!