Many people assume that once they have had CPR class, they are done with that forever.
They learned CPR and, like completing the 1st grade, they do not need to go back and do it again.
That is not true.
There is a reason that CPR certification needs to be renewed on a consistent bases.
Though there are some aspects of CPR that remain the same, there are changes to the latest CPR guidelines.
The American Heart Assoc.
reviews and adjusts the latest CPR guidelines and has made a number of changes over the years.
These changes are based on research and compile the most effective practices.
If you take the time and effort to learn this life saving skill, why would you not insure that you are doing it in the most effective way? If you learned CPR before 2005 and have not updated your information, you may be surprised that some of the information you have learned is no longer valid.
One example of this is defibrillator machines.
Once thought to be the greatest-ever advance in CPR have taken a back seat to good chest compressions.
The other changes have been in the areas of compression rare and rescue breathing.
These have changed in a significant way in the past years and it is important to know the changes to be effective in your CPR.
A few changes in the latest CPR guidelines that have taken place in the past few years are notable.
In 2000, the pulse check was eliminated for non-professionals.
It was determined that most laypeople have a difficult time identifying a pulse in an emergency.
Because of this, it was determined that it is better to perform CPR on a person with a pulse than to withhold it from someone who did not.
The compressions to breathing ratios have also changed in the latest CPR guidelines.
The rate until 2005 was 15 compressions to 2 ventilations.
The rate today is 30 compressions to 2 ventilations.
If you have taken the time to learn CPR, please take the time to stay up-to-date on the latest CPR guidelines.
CPR like many skills in life needs to be updated and exercised to be effective when needed.
So get re-certified, it could safe a life.