Cardiopulmonary resuscitation, commonly known as CPR, is an essential life skill, as it allows you to save lives in emergency situations. With CPR, you mimic the way the human heart pumps and help keep blood circulating throughout the body so that vital organs, such as the brain, do not become starved of oxygen when someone’s heart stops. It is a relatively simple skill to learn, but it can mean the difference between life and death during a medical emergency.

Traditionally, you had to take time and find a class, then sit in a lecture and practice the skill with others before receiving your certification, which is valid for two years. However, learning this essential life-saving measure has never been easier, as there are now many online courses in CPR. With programs like Pro Trainings, you can learn how to perform CPR from the comfort of your own home and on your own time, whether that’s early in the morning or late at night.

Let’s examine some of the benefits of online CPR training over traditional in-class CPR training, so that you feel confident in your decision to pursue this skill as soon as possible.

You can learn on your own time, at your own pace

Before the advent of online CPR courses like Pro Trainings, you needed to find a class at a time and place that worked for you, whether that was at a local school or a hospital. Often these classes are not offered at times convenient for working professionals, especially those who work second shift or night shift, meaning you would either have to take time off work or wait until a rare day off to take the course. Even if you were able to find one at a convenient time, it might be held at a place far from your home, necessitating a long commute for your lesson.

With online training courses, all of that hassle is no more. You can set up times that work for you to practice and go through it at your own pace, making it all the easier to learn such an important skill. You never know when CPR training will save a life, but you can know that you’ll be prepared for anything because you’re able to finish your coursework during your free time.

Online CPR training is as effective as traditional training

Many believe that the only way to get proper training for CPR is to sit in a classroom and listen to an instructor, then pass an administered test. However, emerging research shows that online CPR training can be just as effective as traditional training, if not more so. The Workplace-Oriented Research Central Lab at Boise State University examined the differences between graduates of in-person training and online CPR training; they found that in some aspects, those who completed online CPR training performed better than those who had traditional, in-person classes. They noted that online CPR courses can overcome obstacles to learning, like conflicting schedules or lack of access in a given area, without sacrificing quality of training. Online training can also remove issues like unqualified teachers, as all the courses are given by the same instructor in the same way.

Online courses cost less but are still valid

Traditional CPR training can be pricey depending on where you enroll in courses; this is because they need to pay the instructor, rent the space, and purchase the mannikins you will be using for practice. All this adds up to a hefty bill for the would-be rescuer, and it can dissuade many from learning this important skill.

In contrast, online CPR training is quite affordable, ranging from $35 to $65 depending on the course. Given that CPR certification is valid for two years, this comes out to about $18 to $33 per year, which is less than many people spend on takeout coffees in a single month. For less than the cost of seven grande lattes at Starbucks, you can learn a vital skill that could save another person’s life, and that is truly priceless.

Conclusion

CPR training can seem daunting, especially if you’re considering taking a traditional, in-person class on this essential skill. However, online courses are an affordable and convenient way to learn CPR. They allow you to learn at your own pace and on your own time, are just as effective as in-person training, and are very affordable. More than that, learning CPR can help you save a life, whether that’s a stranger on the street who was hit by a car or your loved one who suffered a heart attack. There’s no better feeling than being a hero – and no better use of time and money than learning CPR online.