For professionals in the health care field and people considering a career in health care, CPR and First Aid are part of the most basic education required to qualify for employment. CPR (Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation) and First Aid Schools provide courses that teach skills for assessing needs and sustaining life in emergency situations before professional medical help arrives.
The courses offered by CPR and First Aid Schools cover general principles of providing first aid and immediate medical care in emergencies. These courses are readily available, and can be found in vocational schools, technical schools, and community college programs. Preventive health and safety courses are offered for various organizations and businesses, such as child care provider operations and pre-schools, with a focus on preventing illness and injury.
Other programs provided by CPR and First Aid Schools include advanced courses designed by the American Heart Association and intended for professional emergency medical technicians (EMT) and other healthcare professionals. These courses cover basic CPR for infants, children, and adults in specialized classes. They instruct in opening airway passages, using a bag-mask device, pressurized oxygen, automated external defibrillator (AED) devices, and removing airway obstruction (FBAO). Students must complete both a written exam and a demonstration of skills for the Basic Life Support (BLS) certification.
CPR and First Aid Schools also offer advanced courses for physicians, physician's assistants, paramedics, dentists and dental assistants, nurses, police officers, occupational therapists, nursing assistants, and medical students. These courses are usually presented by hospitals and other organizations that offer specialized healthcare education.