Wednesday, July 8, 2009

CPR Online Certification

By Mike Duke

CPR is a term we all have heard at one time or another. Some of us may actually be alive today because a friend, family member, or even an unknown bystander performed this life-saving emergency procedure.

Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation, (CPR) performing alternating upper body compressions and mouth-to-mouth breathing, will supply a continuous flow of oxygen to the lungs and brain and can help a sufferer regain consciousness. If a person is not responding right away, CPR needs to be continued until well trained medical personnel arrive. The human brain can only survive an average of five minutes without oxygen.

In order to avoid major brain injury, CPR should be performed to resuscitate a victim. CPR may be necessary due to a person suffering various conditions causing unconsciousness including heart attack or stroke, suffocation, drowning, choking, severe allergic reaction, drug or alcohol overdose, or insulin shock. Immediately upon becoming aware that a person is in danger, CPR should be initiated by anyone trained in the procedure. The victim's chances of survival decrease with each passing moment of unconsciousness, especially if they are having difficulty or unable to breathe.

Although anyone over the age of 16 can become certified, learning this life-saving procedure should most certainly be a serious consideration for any responsible adult, especially adults who have children, and also for those adults who are caring for elderly parents. There can be no feeling more helpless than waiting for medics to arrive to help a loved one in an emergency situation, knowing that with a few hours of prior applicable study, you could be intervening in these critical minutes.

CPR is carried out by alternating chest compression (deflating the victims lungs and forcing air into the blood stream) decompressing while filling the victims lungs with the air in ones own lungs from mouth to mouth. The procedure is carried out repeatedly to maintain a continuous flow of oxygen to the lungs and brain and can help a victim regain consciousness. CPR needs to be continued until the victim is breathing normally or until professionally trained medical personnel arrive.

With combined classroom and online experience offered by the American Health Care Academy, you can benefit from completing tutoring at your own pace, under the supervision of trained coaches. All programs that offer legitimate certifications abide by the CPR guidelines of the American Heart Association.

Each student is permitted up to 60 days to finish an online training course from the American Health Care Academy. (Find the website at www.cpraedcourse.com.) The academy provides continuing communication so that any questions can be answered quickly and clearly.

The online portion of the CPR course includes step-by-step video illustrations and reading materials to guide you. Once the student feels confident in their understanding of the subject matter, He/she can take the online exam. If the student passes, they will instantly receive a printable wallet size CPR certification. The American Health Care Academy will also send a documented copy by mail. If necessary, the exam can be retaken at no additional charge.

The certification received upon passing is valid for two years. Recertification through the American Health Care Academy is also available upon expiration.

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