Accidents and emergencies involving children can happen in the blink of an eye. Children are adventurous, brave, curious, and prone to clumsiness as they grow. That’s why parents and childcare providers must prioritize the health and safety of the little ones under their care. Getting certified in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is one of the best things you can do for the children in your life. CPR involves:
- Rescue breathing to provide oxygen to the lungs.
- Chest compressions to keep the blood circulating.
If you’re a parent or a childcare provider, read on to learn why online CPR certification is important.
Kids Will Be Kids
No matter how safety-conscious you are, accidents can happen. One minute, children may be playing happily, and the next, they may need emergency care. In cases where something has blocked a child’s airway, performing CPR can open the airway and keep blood flowing to ensure oxygen reaches vital organs. It can help keep a child alive and prevent long-term brain damage and health problems.
Common reasons why kids need CPR include:
- Choking
- Drowning
- Electrical shock
- Excessive bleeding
- Head trauma
- Lung disease
- Poisoning
- Suffocation
You Are the First Responder
While the term “first responders” is typically reserved for firefighters, police, and emergency medical technicians (EMTs), parents and childcare providers are the first responders in an accident or emergency involving a child in their care. In the U.S., the average wait time for an ambulance is 8 minutes. Permanent brain damage due to lack of oxygen can occur in just 4 minutes. The actions you take in the crucial moments while you wait for EMTs to arrive may mean the difference between life and death. With CPR certification, you’ll know exactly what to do in the event your child needs life-saving care.
Accommodates Your Schedule
Between work, childcare, and other responsibilities, finding time to attend an in-person CPR training course can be difficult. That’s where online CPR training comes in. Online CPR certification provides the flexibility and convenience you need to get CPR training without worrying about missing a class due to a busy schedule. With online CPR training, you can access the course material wherever you are, at any time of day or night. You can take the course from the comfort of your own home while your little ones sleep or review the material while you commute to work. The choice is yours. You’ll have access to all the lesson modules anywhere you have internet access.
Accidents Are More Common Than You Might Think
Many of us think that accidents such as a child choking, a near-drowning, or a serious fall that leads to cardiac arrest won’t happen on our watch. But sobering statistics show that cardiac arrest in children is far too common. In 2015, 7,037 children experienced cardiac arrest in the U.S. outside of a hospital setting. Nearly 88% of these incidents occurred at home, and 12% occurred in a public place. In cases of near-drowning or poisoning, using CPR chest compressions can help keep blood flowing through your child’s body, providing much-needed oxygen to vital organs such as the brain.
Approximately 1,500 children and youth die each year from sudden cardiac arrest. Many could saved if a parent or childcare provider is properly trained in life-saving techniques like CPR.
Advance Your Career
Safety is a top priority in many career fields, including childcare. Many state childcare licensing agencies require childcare providers and educators to complete training in CPR and First Aid. When you take an online CPR training course, you will learn important safety measures to prevent an emergency and know how to act quickly and calmly if an emergency does occur.
Once you complete the training and pass the online exam, you will receive certification credentials and a certificate that you can share with your employer to keep your job in good standing. You’ll also have free access to all course materials and refresher materials, so you can brush up on your skills and knowledge any time you’d like.