5 People You Wouldn't Think Need CPR Certification

Sep 20, 2021

5 People You Wouldn't Think Need CPR Certification

When you think of who needs CPR certification who do you think of? Many likely think about healthcare workers, childcare providers, and those who work in athletic environments. According to the American Heart Association, more than 350,000 cardiac arrests occur outside of the hospital. For this reason, it is important that those outside of healthcare, childcare and athletic environments are CPR certified. This includes those who live with elderly family members, active individuals, new parents, food service workers and event staff.

Living With Elderly Family Members

Those who live with elderly family members should be CPR certified as elderly individuals are more at-risk of experiencing sudden cardiac arrest (SCA). Knowing how to perform CPR in the event of SCA can help give the victim the best chance at survival as you await the arrival of EMS. Immediate CPR can double or triple the chances of survival.

Active Individuals

For those who are involved in any type of active sport it is important to be CPR certified as exercise can be a trigger for SCA in those with underlying conditions. It is common for fellow athletes to have to be the ones performing CPR when an AED is not nearby and as you wait for the arrival of EMS.

New Parents

Unintentional choking and suffocation are the leading cause of death in children and as a new parent, being CPR certified can save your child’s life. Each year more than 7,000 children suffer out-of-hospital cardiac arrest with many of them occurring within the home. New parents and any other individuals that spend alone time with the infant should be CPR certified.

Food Service Workers

Individuals who work in the food service industry know it is often busy with guests of all ages coming in and out. The more guests in an environment the more opportunity there is for SCA. Bystanders are often needed to perform CPR to give the victim a fighting chance. As a worker, being CPR certified can help to save a life when another bystander may not have the confidence to perform CPR. The 2017 Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics state that 45% of individuals that year received bystander CPR.

Event Staff

Public settings are the second most common location of out-of-hospital cardiac arrests and for this reason, event staff at concerts, tradeshows or large sporting events should be CPR certified in case SCA occurs. In large venues and at large events, the AED may not be close enough to get to for the victim to have the best chance of survival. CPR should be started as an AED is located and prior to EMS arrival.

Learn more about CPR training and certification here.