Online First Aid & CPR courses? Good or Bad?

Question

have you had one? Do you know someone that has? Advice?

Answer 1

Seriously bad

To deemed competent in CPR you need to demonstrate on a CPR manikin, in front of a qualified instructor.

While you may gain some good information on First Aid on-line, one has to wonder how can you seriously do CPR when on-line competently. I have been warned of a company that was offering on-line CPR and 1st Aid on-line. The CPR test on-line comprised of the person pushing the space bar for compressions and the return button for the resuscitation (breathing). Try this in a real life and death situation, I am not convinced one could do it competently.

Unfortunately if done on-line or through the normal manner, there is a cost. Most work places are requiring staff to have their 1st Aid certificate, and if your lucky they will provide a course, at a reduced cost (they met half the cost).

Try Red cross, Royal life and St John's for a reputable 1st training.

Good luck

Answer 2

I believe that most online courses are a great alternative for learning, but I don't think this is one. I would think that you would need an expert present for questions, etc. Also in a real live class, you can simulate CPR. I know my local community college is offering a course for $37.50 and the hospital does as well for not too much and it is just a 1 day course. If that is an option for ya, I would look into that instead of doing this particular course online. JMHO. Take care!

Answer 3

Very bad! I haven't had one online but I have kept my certification in both current since 1999. I can't imagine just watching someone do it online! Especially with CPR, if you don't do it correctly you can crack a rib and puncture a lung!! I would just contact your local chapter of Red Cross. It won't be more than $50 for certification in both. Good luck, someone armed with First Aid & CPR is an invaluable member of the community!!

Answer 4

Online courses are good ONLY when you have the ability to practice on a life size dummy while watching the course. I know of several courses that actually mail you a manican to practice on - just as efficent as an actual course conducted by the Red-Cross or something of that nature, just without a human instructor. Quite honestly, it is a lot more affordable jus to go to a Red-Cross program, as they only charge about $50 or so - and you don't have to spend $1,000's of dollars on a manican.

Otherwise, online courses would be fine for reviewing the procedures if you are already certified for CPR. Each year I have to re-watch/re-test for my nursing certification which is actually done all on the computer (over the internet).

Answer 5

There is not a clean simple answer for this. There are several on-line groups that offer certification in CPR, etc. The certificate is 'legal and legitimate', but not necessarily worth anything. You see, for a certification to 'mean' anything, someone has to accept or recognize it, and very few places accept or recognize on-line CPR for many reasons- mostly because the 'accepted' certifications involve hands-on practice with an instructor who is making sure you are doing it right, and the instructor is held accountable to a national accreditation program. It is kind of like free on-line ordination in certain churches. It is legal and legitimate, but there is not a denomination that will hire you as a minister based on it!

Answer 6

Doing CPR classes online is not a wise decision because for one your not learning hands on how to go about the task nor are you able to practice to your up most ability. if your serious about learning CPR are first aid go take a real class i know the YMCA i work at offers CPR classes on and off, if you have a Y near by ask them for any up coming classes, also call your local hospital or ambulance service company they may all so offer classes

Answer 7

Honestly it is not very good to do online courses in CPR and first aid. You need to talk to your police and find out when there are classes so you can get firsthand experience with the dummy so you know exactly were to press and what to do. You will see it done and can do it yourself and it does not cost much.

Answer 8

Bad. You need hands on training, actually simulate the process of CPR. Call your local Red Cross Chapter for a course .

Answer 9

Bad. I teach CPR and many of my students have a hard time getting the steps in the proper order and performing the breathing and chest compressions correctly. After practicing hands on they eventually 'get it' and feel very comfortable with the techniques and I feel that they could do a good job of successfully saving someone if they had to.

Answer 10

You need the hands on to know proper hand placement, it is not as easy as they make it look on TV, also blowing rescue breath in a victim improperly can cause the air to go into the patients stomach creating a dangerous situation for Paramedics later. I would not advise doing it online unless you were going to follow up with hands on with a certified instructor. It is very important to work on the resuscitation Annies they use for CPR classes.