First Aid and CPR Certification Courses: What to Teach
Sep, 20 2025
When someone collapses in a grocery store, a child chokes at a school picnic, or a worker suffers a burn on a construction site - the difference between life and death often comes down to one thing: someone nearby knows what to do. That’s why first aid and CPR certification courses aren’t just paperwork. They’re lifesaving tools. But if you’re designing or teaching one, what exactly should you cover? Not every skill needs equal time. Some skills are urgent. Others are foundational. And some? They’re often skipped - even though they matter just as much.
Start with the basics: recognizing an emergency
Too many courses jump straight into chest compressions. That’s backwards. Before you can help, you have to know when help is needed. Teach learners to look for signs that aren’t obvious. A person who’s not breathing normally - gasping, wheezing, or making odd noises - is in cardiac arrest. A person who’s confused, pale, and sweating might be having a heart attack. A child who’s clutching their throat but can’t cry or cough? That’s choking. These aren’t textbook scenarios. They’re messy, quiet, and confusing. Real emergencies don’t come with warning signs or sirens. Train people to trust their gut. If something feels wrong, it probably is.
Core CPR: compressions, airway, breathing - in that order
Hands-only CPR saves lives. Studies from the American Heart Association show that bystanders who perform chest compressions without rescue breaths are just as likely to save someone in an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest - especially if they’re untrained or hesitant. So start there. Teach the rhythm: push hard, push fast, 100 to 120 beats per minute. Use songs like "Stayin’ Alive" or "Baby Shark" to help people remember the pace. Then show them how to position their hands: center of the chest, lock elbows, use body weight. No need for perfect form. Just consistent, deep compressions.
After compressions, move to airway and breathing. Don’t overcomplicate it. Tilt the head back, lift the chin, give two breaths. Each breath should last about one second and make the chest rise. If you’re uncomfortable giving mouth-to-mouth, use a face shield or barrier device. But don’t skip it entirely. For children and drowning victims, oxygen matters. The goal isn’t perfection. It’s action.
AEDs aren’t optional - they’re essential
Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) are in malls, gyms, schools, and offices. But most people don’t know how to use them. And even fewer know they’re designed to be used by anyone. Teach learners to turn it on. The machine talks. It tells you where to place the pads. It tells you when to stand clear. It tells you when to resume compressions. No memorization needed. No fear. Just follow the voice. Show real AED units. Let them practice placing pads on mannequins. Emphasize that using an AED won’t hurt someone - it only shocks if it detects a life-threatening rhythm. Delaying defibrillation drops survival rates by 7% to 10% every minute. That’s why AED use belongs in every course.
Choking: the silent killer
Choking is one of the top causes of accidental death in children and older adults. But most people don’t know how to respond. The Heimlich maneuver is only part of the story. For adults and children over one year old, teach abdominal thrusts. For infants under one year, show back slaps and chest thrusts. For pregnant or obese individuals, switch to chest thrusts. And don’t forget: if someone is coughing or crying, don’t interfere. Their body is already working. Only act when they can’t breathe, speak, or make noise. Practice on mannequins until learners can recognize the difference between mild and severe choking. Real-life choking is silent. No screaming. No flailing. Just panic in the eyes.
Controlling bleeding and treating wounds
Severe bleeding kills faster than most people realize. Teach the direct pressure method: use a clean cloth, press hard, hold it. If blood soaks through, add another layer - don’t remove the first. Elevate the wound if possible. Tourniquets? Only for life-threatening limb bleeding when direct pressure fails. And only if you’ve been trained. Don’t let people guess. Show them how to use a belt, a bandana, or even a shirt as a makeshift tourniquet. Then move to wound care: clean with water if possible, cover with sterile dressing, watch for signs of infection. Many people think they need antiseptic wipes or fancy bandages. They don’t. Clean hands and pressure are the most effective tools.
Recognizing and responding to strokes and heart attacks
Stroke and heart attack symptoms are often mistaken for something less serious. Teach the FAST acronym: Face drooping, Arm weakness, Speech difficulty, Time to call 911. Don’t wait for a full-blown collapse. If someone’s smile is uneven or they can’t repeat a simple sentence, act fast. For heart attacks, watch for chest pressure, pain radiating to the arm or jaw, nausea, cold sweat. Women often have different symptoms - fatigue, back pain, indigestion. Don’t assume it’s just anxiety. Stress the importance of calling emergency services immediately. Don’t drive them to the hospital. Don’t give aspirin unless instructed. Let professionals handle it.
Managing burns, fractures, and allergic reactions
Burns: Cool the area with running water for at least 10 minutes. Don’t pop blisters. Don’t use butter or toothpaste. Cover loosely with clean cloth. Fractures: Immobilize the area. Don’t try to realign bones. Use a sling, rolled-up towel, or even a magazine as a splint. Allergic reactions: Epinephrine auto-injectors (like EpiPens) are critical. Teach how to recognize anaphylaxis - swelling, trouble breathing, hives, dizziness. Show how to inject into the outer thigh, hold for 3 seconds, and call 911 even if symptoms improve. People think one shot is enough. It’s not. Symptoms can return.
What not to teach
Some things sound impressive but aren’t practical. Don’t waste time on outdated methods like mouth-to-mouth-only CPR. Don’t teach how to treat snake bites with suction devices. Don’t show how to remove objects stuck in the throat with fingers. Don’t encourage giving water or food to someone unconscious. These are myths that can cause harm. Stick to evidence-based guidelines from the American Heart Association, Red Cross, or similar trusted sources. If a technique isn’t in the latest guidelines, leave it out.
Make it real: practice, don’t just watch
Watching a video of CPR won’t save a life. Holding a mannequin, feeling the resistance of a chest, hearing the click of an AED, seeing the rise of a fake lung - that’s what sticks. Spend at least half the course on hands-on practice. Use feedback devices that tell you if you’re compressing deep enough or too fast. Let learners switch roles: one does compressions, another manages the AED, another gives breaths. Rotate so everyone gets experience. Real emergencies don’t wait for the perfect person. They need whoever’s there.
Reinforce confidence, not just competence
Most people freeze in emergencies because they’re afraid of doing it wrong. Your job isn’t just to teach skills - it’s to build confidence. Say it clearly: "You don’t need to be perfect. You just need to act." Share stories: a teacher who saved a student, a coworker who revived a colleague, a parent who used CPR on their child. These aren’t heroic tales. They’re ordinary people doing what they learned. End every course by asking learners: "What’s stopping you from helping next time?" Then address it. Fear of lawsuits? Explain Good Samaritan laws. Fear of infection? Show barrier devices. Fear of failure? Remind them: doing something is better than doing nothing.
How long does a first aid and CPR certification course usually take?
Most basic courses take between 3 to 5 hours. This includes time for learning, hands-on practice, and a short test. More advanced courses, like those for healthcare providers or workplace safety officers, can take 6 to 8 hours. The key is not length - it’s quality of practice. A shorter course with lots of hands-on time is better than a longer one with mostly lectures.
Do I need to renew my certification?
Yes. Most certifications expire after two years. Skills fade. Guidelines change. The American Heart Association updates its CPR recommendations every five years. Even if you don’t use your training often, annual refreshers help keep your confidence high and your technique sharp. Many employers require renewal for liability reasons. Don’t wait until the last minute - renewals are often quicker and cheaper than full courses.
Can I get certified online?
You can learn the theory online, but you can’t get fully certified without hands-on practice. Online-only courses don’t meet OSHA or workplace safety standards. Look for blended programs: part online learning, part in-person skills session. The in-person part must include practicing compressions, using an AED, and managing choking or bleeding on a mannequin. Without that, your certification won’t be accepted by employers or schools.
What’s the difference between CPR and first aid?
CPR is a specific skill for when someone’s heart stops. First aid covers a broader range of emergencies - bleeding, burns, fractures, allergic reactions, choking, strokes, and more. Many courses combine both because they often happen together. Someone having a heart attack might also be bleeding from a fall. A child choking might go into cardiac arrest. Training in both gives you a complete toolkit for real-life emergencies.
Who should take a first aid and CPR course?
Everyone. Parents, teachers, coaches, office workers, caregivers, students, retirees - anyone who lives or works around other people. You don’t need to be a healthcare professional. Most rescues happen at home or in public places, not hospitals. The person who saves a life is often the first bystander. If you’re not trained, you might be the one who waits for someone else to act. Don’t wait.
Next steps: where to go after certification
After you get certified, don’t stop. Keep practicing. Use apps that simulate CPR rhythm. Watch real rescue videos from trusted sources like the Red Cross. Talk to coworkers or family about emergency plans. Keep a first aid kit at home, in your car, and at your workplace. Check expiration dates on supplies. Teach your kids basic safety - how to call 911, what to do if someone’s hurt. Certification isn’t the end. It’s the beginning of being someone others can count on.