Cost of CPR Certification

CPR training saves lives. The American Heart Association estimates that more than 350,000 instances of cardiac arrest happen outside hospitals every year. That’s approximately 1,000 Americans experiencing a life-threatening heart emergency on any given day. These emergencies can take place anywhere—at home, in the workplace, and even on public transport. Knowing how to perform CPR can mean the difference between life and death during a medical crisis.

If you want to get certified in cardiopulmonary resuscitation, you can sign up for an online or in-person course. Formal training gives you the lifesaving skills you need to competently respond to cardiac and breathing emergencies.

HOW MUCH DOES IT COST TO BE CERTIFIED IN CPR?

The COST OF CPR CERTIFICATION ranges from $12 to $100, depending on the school/trainer and the modality.

For an additional charge, CPR training can also be combined with supplementary courses such as basic life support and first aid.

Most CPR certifications are valid for only two years, so you have to pay for training every two years.

WHAT DOES CPR TRAINING COVER?

Comprehensive training teaches you how to keep a person alive until emergency medical professionals arrive to provide more intensive treatment. It typically covers:

· Compression and breathing

All CPR courses cover basic compression and breathing techniques for patients of different age groups (infants, children, and adults).

· Automated external defibrillator (AED) training

Knowing how to properly hook an AED to a patient is important as it can simplify resuscitation.

· Airway obstruction training

You will also learn how to clear external objects from the victim’s airway.

· First aid and bloodborne pathogens training

Aside from learning basic CPR techniques and skills, you will also learn about dressing cuts and wounds, treating bruises, and responding to situations where the person is losing blood.

· Bag mask training

CPR training also teaches you to attach a bag mask.

· Real-life scenarios

A certified CPR instructor walks you through several real-life situations to familiarize you with things you can do during emergencies.

WHERE CAN YOU GET YOUR CERTIFICATION?

Certifying agencies include the American Heart Association, the American Red Cross, the National Safety Council, and the American Safety and Health Institute.

· The American Heart Association offers two CPR training programs: (1) Heartsaver CPR AED for the general public, and (2) Basic Life Support for healthcare providers.

· The National Safety Council offers a comprehensive _First Aid, CPR & AED_ program.

· The American Red Cross offers (1) Pediatric CPR Training, (2) Adult CPR Training, and (3) CPR/AED for Professional Rescuers and Healthcare Providers.

WHAT ARE THE COSTS OF INDIVIDUAL, GROUP, AND ONLINE CPR CERTIFICATION?

1. INDIVIDUAL CPR CERTIFICATION |Cost: $45 to $55 per person

Individual CPR training covers basic emergency response skills. Healthcare professionals are required to take this type of course to renew their certification. On average, the COST OF INDIVIDUAL CPR TRAINING ranges from $45 to $55. Don’t forget to factor in the costs for training materials, which can range from $20 to $30.

2. WORKSITE (GROUP) CERTIFICATION |Cost: $35 to $45 per person for 2 hours, $45 to $55 per person for 4 hours

Some businesses and learning institutions are required to provide CPR training to their employees to meet OSHA safety requirements for emergency preparedness. Group training costs vary depending on the course content and materials involved.

Instructors will typically set the class size and then charge by the person. The bigger your group, the higher the costs. That said, some training centers offer discounts for large groups. Don’t hesitate to ask.

A basic 2-hour group CPR program costs $35 to $45 per person, on average. Expect to pay a minimum of $280 to $320 for a class of 8 students.

A 4-hour group CPR program that includes emergency response strategies costs $45 to $55 per person. Expect to pay a minimum of $360 to $400 for a group of 8 students.

3. BLENDED (ONLINE + IN-PERSON) CPR CERTIFICATION |Cost: $35 per person on average

Online courses are not entirely done online. You have to meet your CPR trainer in person at some point to complete the course and get your certification. These blended’ CPR courses let you take the cognitive aspect of the training online before meeting your instructor for an on-site skills test.

For example, if you pursue the American Heart Association’s blended CPR training, you have to take a 2-hour course online and then schedule a 1-hour in-person skills test appointment.

HOW MUCH DO ADD-ONS COST?

Add-ons like infant, bloodborne pathogen, and oxygen administration training are charged separately. Here’s a breakdown of their average price range:

· Infant training: $5 to $10 per trainee

· Bloodborne pathogen training: $15 to $20

· Oxygen administration training: $14 to $20

CAN YOU GET A CPR CERTIFICATION FOR FREE?

If you volunteer at a non-profit organization or are employed by a large multinational, tell your manager that you are interested in earning a CPR certification. Most employers are happy to pay for the costs of training volunteer employees in basic emergency response.

However, if your professional license requires CPR certification, your employer is not required to pay to help you get certified.

HOW MUCH DO TRAINING MATERIALS COST?

Extra resources, practical materials, and hard copies of learning materials may raise the cost of your training. Check with the school. Some training institutes provide these for free.

HOW DO YOU PICK THE RIGHT PROGRAM?

Before you select a CPR training program, ask yourself: What CPR certification do you need—standard or healthcare-level?

Most people only need standard PR for laymen.’ This category includes nursing home workers, babysitters, personal trainers, daycare workers, school bus drivers, coaches, camp counselors, teachers, nannies, and construction workers.

However, you need more advanced CPR training if you’re part of the healthcare industry. Healthcare provider CPR certification is essential for nurses, licensed vocational nurses, medical assistants, respiratory therapists, EMTs, dentists and dental assistants, hospital technicians, physical therapists, occupational therapists, firefighters, and paramedics.

Some people (such as foster parents and daycare workers) require CPR training focused on infants and children. If you belong to this group, consider training with the American Red Cross. The organization has a pediatric CPR training program that is designed for people who work around children.