At our Raleigh CPR training center, we are asked a wide variety of questions about CPR and first aid during our classes and from prospective students, which we always encourage. However, we know that some people may not feel comfortable reaching out to ask or are confused about an issue, but aren’t sure how to ask the question. To help clear up confusion and learn more about CPR and first aid, we’re answering some of the most frequently asked questions. 

CPR Frequently Asked Questions

When is CPR needed?

If someone is unconscious, check to see if they are breathing for 10 seconds. If they are not, then you must start CPR.  

How effective is CPR?

Research has shown that CPR performed by a bystander improves the survival chances for a victim of cardiac arrest. In 2014, data showed that nearly 45 percent of cardiac arrest victims whose incidents occurred outside of a hospital survived when a bystander performed CPR. 

What are the main steps of CPR? 

The main steps of CPR are:

  • Recognize there is an emergency
  • Call 911
  • Open the airway by tilting the head back slightly and lifting the victim’s chin upwards 
  • Listen for breathing
  • Give 30 chest compressions at the pace of 100 beats per minute 
  • Give two rescue breaths 
  • Continue until the victim responds, help arrives, or you can’t continue

What are the five cycles of CPR?

This refers to how many cycles of CPR you should perform in two minutes – 30 compressions and two rescue breaths are one cycle. For CPR to be effective, rescuers should perform five cycles in two minutes. Additionally, it’s recommended that rescuers swap after two minutes and five cycles to prevent exhaustion and maintain effective compressions. 

Is CPR currently 15 compressions to 2 breaths?

It’s currently 30 compressions to two breaths for adults. 

What are the differences between CPR for adults and children?

Most of the steps are similar, but there are a few differences:

  • For adults, call CPR first before starting compressions; in children, if you are alone, provide 5 cycles of CPR, then call 911. 
  • Rescue breaths are more gentle for children and the chin is not tilted back as far.
  • Compressions for adults require two hands and a depth of two inches. However, compressions for children are often done with one hand with a depth of around one to one and a half inches. 

Where do CPR guidelines come from?

CPR guidelines are updated every five years to reflect the most recent science and research findings from members of the International Liason Committee on Resuscitation (ILCOR). The members include: 

  • American Heart Association  (AHA)

  • European Resuscitation Council  (ERC)

  • Heart & Stroke Foundation of Canada (HSFC)

  • Australian and New Zealand Committee on Resuscitation (ANZCOR)

  • Resuscitation Councils of South Africa (RSCA)

  • Inter American Heart Foundation (IAHF)

What are the types of CPR training?

There are several types of CPR training available. 

  • Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) teaches healthcare professionals how to treat an emergency, including coronary syndromes and stroke. In this class, students need to know how to read ECG rhythms and understand medication for the patient, so it’s generally for doctors, nurses, and paramedics.
  • Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) is similar to ACLS but it specifically is ideal for medical professionals who deal with pediatric and adolescent emergencies. 
  • Basic Life Support (BLS) is CPR at a healthcare provider level, so the student learns how to use an AED, 2-person CPR, and more specialized training. 
  • Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP) teaches basic resuscitation skills for newborn babies. 

What is First Response CPR?

First Response CPR teaches basic CPR in addition to teaching students how to use an Automated External Defibrillation (AED) device. AED programs also teach these skills. 

What does it mean to be AED certified?

AED certification means you have been trained to use an Automated External Defibrilator and have proven you understand how to use it safely. Our Raleigh training center provides AED certification as part of our Heartsaver® Pediatric First Aid CPR AED class and our BLS class.  

What jobs can you get if you’re CPR certified?

While CPR certification isn’t a job qualification on its own, many jobs require CPR certification, including: 

  • Child care workers
  • Lifeguards 
  • Healthcare professionals, including EMTs, nurses, and paramedics
  • Athletic trainers
  • Flight attendants
  • Construction workers
  • Electricians
  • Home health aides and home care workers

What are the advantages of providing employees with CPR certification?

If your industry requires CPR certification, providing it to your employees ensures: 

  • Everyone is certified properly and their certifications are always up to date.
  • Employees don’t have to worry about trying to schedule it during their off-time.
  • Employees will feel more confident and panic less if an emergency in the workplace.

Can I get CPR training online?

In order to become CPR certified, you do have to have some hands-on training. However, our Heartcode® BLS program allows students to do the cognitive and learning part online, then join an instructor-led classroom to practice skills and take the test.

First Aid Frequently Asked Questions

What is first aid training?

First aid training teaches you how to respond in specific types of emergencies so you can provide care to someone while waiting for first responders or medical professionals to arrive. Specifically, you learn how to help someone suffering from serious injuries, heart attack, seizures, and shock. 

Why is first aid important?

By learning how to care for someone suffering from a serious injury or illness, you can literally save their life. The time between the onset of symptoms or injury and being seen by a medical professional is critical and first aid can provide an improved outcome for the victim. 

What are the most important first aid tips?

The most important thing to learn is to make sure you are safe to provide care. For example, if there is fire or traffic, it’s important to make sure you and the victim are in safe areas before beginning CPR. Otherwise, don’t move a victim, in case there is a neck or spine injury. After that, remember this: 

  • Make sure the airway is clear before performing CPR
  • Give chest compressions to the beat of “Stayin’ Alive” to ensure you are moving at the proper pace
  • Apply pressure to stop bleeding
  • Focus on keeping the victim calm and avoiding shock.

What is Basic Life Support (BLS)

Basic life support (BLS) is the foundation for saving lives after cardiac arrest and is specifically intended for health care professionals, including doctors, nurses, CNAs, EMTs, firefighters, and other first responders. 

Are BLS and first aid the same thing?

BLS and CPR is the same thing, though BLS is intended for healthcare providers and emergency responders. It includes more in-depth instruction and instructions for doing 2-person CPR. However, CPR is a part of first aid, in that you are providing first aid to someone suffering from cardiac arrest. 

Does BLS include first aid?

Yes, in addition to CPR, BLS also teaches first aid.  

What jobs benefit from first aid training? 

While anyone can benefit from having first aid training, jobs and industries that require or prefer it include: 

  • Child care workers and day care workers
  • Teachers
  • Caregivers for the disabled or elderly
  • Construction 
  • Manufacturing 
  • Warehouse and logistics
  • Logging
  • Utilities, specifically electric companies

Contact Our CPR Training Center to Get Certified

If you’d like to get certified in CPR and first aid, we want to help you do it! Check out our schedule of classes, or if you have a group of employees or members of an organization, contact us about on-site CPR training where we will come to you. Call us at (919) 639-4848 or fill out our contact form to get started.