Did you know that your CPR certification needs to be updated and renewed regularly?
You read it right. If it has been more than a year since you last completed first aid or CPR training, it’s probably time for you to refresh at least the CPR component of your certificate.
CPR is a skill for life. In order to stay current with the latest and most effective life-saving technique, it is vital to renew and update your certification. The Australian Resuscitation Council (ARC), in accordance with the First Aid Code of Practice, has led the initiative of keeping CPR performance standards and guidelines as up-to-date as possible. The CPR component should be refreshed every 12 months, while the renewal of the full certificate should be done every 3 years.
The Provide Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (HLTAID001) covers all aspects of basic resuscitation, including the use of a defibrillator (AED). It provides theoretical knowledge and practical skills you need to properly respond to breathing and cardiac emergencies.
Not being able to use the skills you gained on your last first aid course in 12 months, of course, some of what you learned will naturally start to fade. The confidence in your CPR skills will be lesser, and if you find yourself in an emergency, it can be scary again.
That’s why CPR refresher and renewal exist. Here are the top 3 reasons to get your CPR certifications up-to-date.
CPR Techniques Continuously Evolve
Many people are complaining about how CPR keeps on changing and how they have to come in and pay for new classes all the time. The reason why the ARC is adamant on updating your CPR skills is that the concepts and physical components of CPR continue to evolve up to this day. What might work before might change over time?
CPR refresher courses is not a ‘racket’ to get your money.
CPR as Part of Work Requirement
Learning how to perform CPR is now a requirement for some offices in Australia. The First Aid in the Workplace Code of Practice suggested that company first-aiders undergo CPR re-certification. Renewal of the course will refresh their memory on CPR components.
Being up to date with proper certification will make you even more valuable in your office. Alternatively, you also increase your appeal to prospective employers as most companies require CPR certification as part of their employment eligibility criteria.
CPR Save Lives
There is no denying that CPR saves lives. In fact, nearly 100,000 lives of sudden cardiac arrest victims are spared every year because of CPR. It is critical to keep your CPR knowledge updated. You’ll never know when you will witness an emergency that requires immediate resuscitation.
Regardless of whether you need CPR for work or personal reasons, it is important to keep your certification updated. CPR certifications are not valid forever. Never assume that you’re set for life just because you undergo CPR training once.
How confident are you with your CPR Skills? If you’re unsure how to answer, you need to take your renewal course to stay on top of your CPR skills.
