Best CPR First Aid class.

[funehiki]

In anticipation of finally taking a rescue diver class, I am considering taking a first aid cpr aed class. I took a basic cpr course in high school many years ago that I think was an hour or 2 a week for 3 or 4 weeks. Looking at the American Red Cross and American Heart Association websites, the basic CPR courses seem much shorter now (sound familiar?). I of course hope I will never have to use it, but spending an extra hundred bucks and a few Saturdays really learning the stuff seems to make more sense then a 45 minute class where you don’t get any hands on with a dummy. So the question is which class from which certifying agency offers the best /most useful/bang for the buck CPR/First Aid/AED (am I missing anything else, don’t think I need a pathogens class)

(Sorry if this is a common question, a search for the term cpr either was too common or not in the search database. If it makes any difference I am in New York City)

 

[--tom--]

It really doesn't matter much. All of the entry programs are slanted toward getting involved, get EMS called and extend the window of opportunity for survival.

Since I teach PADI, I teach their program Emergency First Response .

What I like about this program is that I cover basic first aid, CPR, AED and O2. If you want to include youth and infant, I can include that with minimal cost and time (it can blend into the standard lectures and show where you would approach the situation differently). For students that are short on time, I can provide materials for pre-study, verify knowledge & spend the time on practice and practical application, so I can cover that in an evening.

Not all instructors provide all of this, so ask ahead of time. I just think that an 8 hour first aid class with a boring video is painful. 3 hours of interaction with prepared students--complete with challenges and problems--is fun.

 

[joegoos]

i did the healthcare provider cpr class while getting my emt cert and it was only like 2 or 3 hours, if i remember right the difference with that version is that it includes aeds

 

[bracko]

CPR is CPR....

I would suggest actually not doing the PADI since there is not a required structure to the course. instead I'd suggest something senior first aid course or a 2 day course run by someone like red cross or another quality provider.

we have st. John's first aid in Australia that have some great courses like remote location first aid which is a little more advanced and has obvious benefits for diving if you go into national parks to get to sites.

 

[GrumpyOldGuy]

The basic CPR / First Aid classes are shorter because they must be taken every year to stay certified in the subject (not diving). Its not a skill that most of us practice, so the annual refresh and review is needed, but can me mercifully short. I have lost track of how many times I had to take the course for scouts.........