• First Aid Certifications: Review of First Aid Certificate Programs
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First Aid Certifications: Review of First Aid Certificate Programs

First aid certifications are commonly offered at community centers, schools and workplaces, through the American Red Cross and the American Heart Association. Students taking a first aid certification course often learn to assess emergency situations, administer wound and burn care, provide aid as first responders and perform CPR.

American Red Cross First Aid

The American Red Cross offers numerous Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)-compliant first aid courses. Individuals interested in enrolling in a first aid certification program can study standard first aid, basic aid training, children's first aid, community first aid, crisis response first aid and pet first aid.

First aid training can require as little as 3.5 hours to as many as 14 hours to complete. Focus is placed on injury prevention, but students also learn to react and respond to sudden illness and injuries. In order to receive certification in first aid, students must pass a written examination and complete a skills lab.

Program Coursework

First aid certification programs are available in hybrid formats in which students complete some of the course online and then meet with an instructor for a practical assessment. There are also classroom-based instructions for individuals who prefer interactive learning. Topics of study often include:

  • Safety procedures for first aid administration
  • Assessing emergency situations
  • Adult, child and infant CPR
  • Automatic external defibrillator (AED) training
  • Oxygen administration

Popular Career Options

Employers in a variety of occupations sponsor many first aid certification programs. However, individuals who are more likely to use first aid training include:

  • Emergency medical service providers
  • Nurses
  • Lifeguards
  • Childcare workers
  • Medical support staff

Continuing Education Information

American Red Cross first aid certification is valid for three years. CPR certification is good for one year. Students must complete recertification training in order to maintain their first aid completion cards.

American Heart Association First Aid Certification

Individuals interested in becoming first aid certified can also pursue the American Heart Association's Heartsaver First Aid course, which can be completed with or without CPR and AED instruction. Optional first aid training for environmental crises is also available. This institute's first aid courses are generally designed for employees and first responders.

Program Coursework

Course times range from 1.5-7.5 hours, depending on the format and program type, and programs culminate with a test. First aid school topics include:

  • Identifying shock
  • Checking for breathing obstructions
  • Applying pressure to wounds
  • Burn treatment
  • Splint creations

Popular Career Options

Individuals employed in both public and private sectors can take advantage of first aid certification. Some may be required to possess certification while others may just find value in it. These individuals may include:

  • Police officers
  • Fitness instructors
  • Military personnel
  • Fire extinguishing professionals
  • Parents

Continuing Education Information

All American Hear Association first aid and CPR certifications are good for two years. Students must retake courses to maintain first aid certifications.

First Aid Emergency Medical Technicians

EMTs perform first aid procedures for injured and sick persons and are often called first responders. EMTs and paramedics are certified through the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT).

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