Knowing how to perform CPR can be a lifesaving skill, but maintaining your certification is just as important. Many people are unsure about how long their CPR certification remains valid after completing training. To ensure you're always prepared in an emergency, it's important to stay informed about certification timelines and renewal requirements. In this blog, we'll explore how long CPR certification lasts and what steps you need to take to keep your skills up to date.
CPR Statistics
In the U.S. alone, 436,000 people die from cardiac arrest in a year. According to the American Heart Association (AHA), mortality rates are higher for people who experience cardiac arrests outside of the hospital. This is because these people don’t have access to timely and effective CPR. In the 2023 report on Heart Disease and Stroke, only 40.2% of out-of-hospital cases of cardiac arrest received bystander CPR.
How likely are cardiac arrests likely to happen in out-of-hospital settings? More often than you think. 73.4% of cardiac arrests in out-of-hospital settings occur at home. This is followed by public settings (16.3%) and nursing homes (10.3%). According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), about 10,000 cardiac arrests happen in a workplace setting.
Unfortunately, as many as half of the employees in the workplace setting cannot locate the nearest available AED. What’s more, as much as 66% of employees in the hospitality industry do not know how to perform CPR.
Did you know that effective CPR can reduce the risk of cardiac deaths by as much as 300%? As a lifesaving technique, CPR can buy time until emergency medical professionals arrive or until the individual can be transported to a hospital.
CPR certification courses give individuals the knowledge and skills needed to perform CPR correctly and confidently, making them better prepared to save a life.
What Is CPR Training?
CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) training teaches you how to perform chest compressions and rescue breathing on people with sudden cardiac arrests, i.e., pulseless and not breathing. Apart from chest compressions and rescue breaths, CPR training also includes training on how to use automated external defibrillators (AED) for people with cardiac arrest.
CPR training includes basic training, such as Basic Life Support (BLS), and can add on Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS). Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) is a separate ACLS training program for children and infants.
Some CPR classes may also provide first aid training. However, first-aid training is different from CPR training.
What’s the Difference Between First Aid Training and CPR Training?
First aid training teaches you how to support people in diverse emergency scenarios: choking, bleeding, poisoning, and so on. CPR training, on the other hand, is a specialized form of first aid training that teaches you how to provide emergency care to patients with sudden cardiac collapse. The good news is that some CPR classes are so versatile they allow you to add first-aid training to your course.
Where Can I Get CPR Certified?
There are various places to gain CPR certification. The American Red Cross and The American Heart Organization are popular options. They offer flexible training options like in-person, online, and blended training modules. They also have course locators that bring up available learning resources in your local area.
If you want to cut down on cost without compromising the quality of training, you should consider CPR courses by ACLS Medical Training. This organization offers online courses in BLS and ACLS. These courses conform to the latest guidelines outlined by the International Liaison Committee on Resuscitation (ILCOR). They are also accredited by the American Medical Association, American Nurses Credentialing Center, American Dental Association, and Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education.
How Long Is CPR Training?
How long is a CPR class? There is no one answer. The length of CPR training can vary depending on the course and level of certification. For instance, the Red Cross offers various CPR courses that range from 2 hours to 5 hours long. Overall, CPR courses typically last anywhere from 3 - 12 hours. BLS courses generally take about 3 - 5 hours, while Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support lasts 12 – 16 hours and is split into 3 - 4 days.
How Long Does CPR Certification Last?
CPR certification often lasts from 2-3 years, depending on the type of training. For courses offered by the American Heart Association, BLS, ACLS, and PLS training lasts for 2 years. After two years, you are expected to take refresher courses to renew your certification. The same goes for the American Red Cross. The ACLS training also offers a 2-year certification in BLS, ACLS, and PALS. Renewal is done every two years after the successful completion of a recertification exam.
Which is Right for Me: BLS or ACLS?
The BLS offers training on the principles of resuscitation, some of which include:
- Patient positioning for CPR
- Management of foreign body airway obstruction in adults and infants
- High-quality ventilations and compressions
- AED
- Teamwork in a multi-rescuer resuscitation setting
- Chain of care
The ACLS is an advanced course that builds on the fundamental skills acquired in BLS training. Overall, this course aims to teach students how to provide continuous, high-quality CPR. For this reason, most trainers require students to have a knowledge of BLS. Some training providers require prospective students to take a prescreening test to demonstrate their knowledge and skill in BLS.
The right course depends on your employment needs. For example, it is possible that your medical license or employer may require BLS certification, even if you have an ACLS certification. It is best to check with your employer or state licensing board to determine specific requirements for your situation.
Hassle-Free CPR Training for Healthcare Providers
ACLS Training has a hassle-free, cost-effective system for providing quality CPR training to healthcare professionals. For example, they offer 100% online training modules that don't require in-person skills tests. They also have bundle packages that allow you to customize your CPR training to your current needs. Click here to learn more about their training packages!
References
1. American Heart Association (2024). CPR Facts and Stats
2. Tsao, C. W., Aday, A. W., Almarzooq, Z. I., Anderson, C. A., Arora, P., Avery, C. L., ... & American Heart Association Council on Epidemiology and Prevention Statistics Committee and Stroke Statistics Subcommittee. (2023). Heart disease and stroke statistics—2023 update: a report from the American Heart Association. Circulation, 147(8), e93-e621
3. American Heart Association (2024). Out-of-hospital Chain of Survival
4. OSHA (2024). Saving Sudden Cardiac Arrest Victims in the Workplace
5. American Heart Organization (2024). Courses and Kits
6. American Red Cross (2024). Learn about Our Programs
