CPR certification doesn’t just demonstrate your ability to perform life-saving cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) techniques in real-life emergencies but it also gives you the confidence to do so. One thing you might not be aware of, though, is that CPR certifications have expiration dates. How long does a CPR certification last, then, you might ask?
Both main regulatory bodies – the American Heart Association (AHA) and the American Red Cross agree on the length of time between renewing your CPR certification. This is why we’ll stick to their guidelines while we explore how often you should refresh your skills, why it’s a good idea, and how to do it.
CPR Certification Lifespan
CPR certifications have a validity period of two years, as generally defined by the AHA and American Red Cross. The foundational concept behind this exact duration is that this period is sufficient to ensure that the CPR skills you possess will stay sharp even if you don’t have to use them.
Renewing your CPR certifications is very important to maintain proficiency and stay up to date with developments in the field. Therefore, getting certified once doesn’t mean your certificate will last indefinitely. Research suggests that CPR skills start to deteriorate after approximately one year, making it crucial for individuals to refresh their knowledge and stay up-to-date with the latest guidelines and techniques.
Staying aware of the expiration date of your CPR certification is vital so that you can schedule your renewal courses in time. Also, note that some workplace requirements may mandate a more frequent renewal than the standard two-year period.
Why Does CPR Certification Expire?
There are several reasons behind the certification period for CPR. To begin with, advances in scientific research, medical practices, and technology lead to the improvement of CPR techniques and even the development of new ones.
Moreover, regular renewal of CPR certification helps you maintain a sharp skill set along with the confidence integral to successfully administering it. Recertifying theoretically and practically means you can respond promptly and effectively when faced with cardiac arrest emergencies.
By enforcing an expiration period, organizations like the AHA and the Red Cross significantly improve the general public’s knowledge and understanding of CPR, allowing further access to more advanced courses, like AED, for those interested in taking things to the next level.
CPR Certification Renewal Options
Renewing your CPR skills is easier and more accessible than ever. There are different options available nowadays, with each providing a convenient and effective way to get re-certified and improve your existing knowledge on the subject:
Online Certification
Online CPR courses offer a flexible and convenient way of renewing your certification if you have a particularly busy schedule. These courses typically involve going through modules and training videos, which you can access from virtually any device at your disposal.
Online renewal courses allow you to complete the certification at your own pace, anytime, and virtually anywhere. The course ends with a certification exam, which, upon completion, results in a digital certification document that you can download and print.
Most importantly, most employers worldwide recognize online CPR certification, making it the ideal choice for those who can’t find the time to do practical classroom re-certification classes.
Classroom Renewal Courses
Classroom renewal courses provide a traditional hands-on learning experience. Usually taught by CPR instructors in a face-to-face setting, they offer invaluable time to go through the motions of CPR on mannequins and perhaps even live partners.
These courses offer immersive training, allowing you to perform the CPR techniques under the guidance of skilled instructors. While obviously much better than online courses skill-wise, classroom renewal courses do require a commitment of time and attendance. At the very least, you’ll have to dedicate one full day, if not several, to go through the process.
Blended Learning Programs
Blended learning programs bring you the best of both worlds by combining the convenience of online courses with the practicality of classroom training. Such programs allow you to work on the theoretical part of CPR recertification online whenever you want to.
Once you complete and pass the theoretical exam, you must undergo an in-person, hands-on skill evaluation, where an instructor assesses your practical skills. Completing both components of the blended learning program qualifies you for CPR recertification, resulting in two different certificates for theory and practice, respectively.
Benefits of CPR Certification Renewal
You have a few options when looking to renew your CPR certification. They generally depend on your preferences, potential job requirements, and availability. Regardless of whether you choose to renew your certification online, in a classroom, or via a blended method, you’ll get to reap the benefits of up-to-date CPR certification:
- Job Requirements. Renewing your CPR certification ensures that you meet the necessary qualifications for a specific job and comply with industry regulations or company policy.
- Increased Confidence. Regular CPR certification renewal helps you maintain a high confidence level in administering CPR. Refreshing your knowledge makes you competent to give life-saving aid in case of emergencies.
- Updated Guidelines and Techniques. The more informed you are about changes in CPR protocols, the more efficient you’ll be in delivering help. While the changes in CPR during the two years of validity usually don’t change drastically, there have been big shifts in techniques over the past decade, such as switching from the ABC to the CBA sequence of delivering aid.
- Skill Retention. As with any other skill, the more you practice something, the better you are at it. Unless you use CPR daily, you’ll certainly need to refresh your skills, probably even sooner than the prescribed two-year period.
The Importance of Regular CPR Training
CPR certification renewal is absolutely vital to maintaining your qualifications, but more importantly, it’s crucial in expanding your knowledge and giving you a confidence boost. With CPR skills decaying over time if not used regularly, your ability to respond in an emergency is significantly impaired unless you’re up to par with CPR protocols and techniques.
We already covered the renewal methods at your disposal, but it’s prudent to add that there are several ways to engage in CPR training, even outside the regular certification renewal process. For example, you can take refresher courses before the expiry date of your initial certification. They’re shorter and more direct, allowing you to recertify by engaging in skill practice sessions.
The bottom line is that you need to know what to do and, more importantly, what not to do when facing a life-threatening emergency. By consistently refreshing your CPR knowledge and skills, you’ll be able to react and overcome the freeze response, which usually takes over when you’re not sure what you need to do under pressure.
Conclusion
The validity period of two years for CPR certification is there for a reason – it’s necessary to maintain competency and stay up-to-date with the latest developments in the field. For convenience’s sake, you can choose to recertify via online renewal courses, but classroom-based courses are still the best option.
Engaging in regular CPR training beyond certification renewal is crucial to ensure ongoing proficiency and readiness as well as stay compliant with industry or company policies.
Given the importance and impact of being able to provide high-level CPR to those in need, getting re-certified isn’t a question of if but rather when. Now that you know how long a CPR certification lasts, all that’s left is signing up for a refresher course in Austin.