Before You Take a CPR Class

According to a study published in Circulations: The Journal of the American Heart Association, cardiac arrest is a concern in any person experiencing classic heart attack symptoms. Performing good CPR with an AED is the only way to respond to this particular emergency. The 2005 changes to CPR focus more on effective chest compressions and less on ventilations. In addition, there is a need for a minute or so of good CPR before attempting to shock the heart with an AED. Research has shown that shocks were more effective after that minute.

Getting training in CPR is important for everyone. Even for those who've had CPR training in the past, the changes made in 2005 are significant and require an update.

Not all CPR classes are created equal. Some training programs are better than others and there are several different levels of CPR training. It's important to take the class that's right for you. Know the questions to ask before you take a CPR class.