How to Give a CPR Class

Knowing how to do CPR is one thing; knowing how to teach it to others is something else entirely. Because CPR is such a vital skill, it must be broken down into pieces that all of your students can easily understand. As a CPR teacher, you are teaching others how to save lives so not take that fact lightly.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• CPR mannequins (adult, child and infant)
• Antibacterial wipes
• CPR books, DVDs, or other informative materials - optional

1. Begin by discussing the moral issues surrounding CPR. You want to inform your students about the importance of CPR, while at the same time encouraging them to protect themselves from danger at all times.

2. Show students how to recognize the symptoms of heart attack, cardiac arrest, stroke or choking.

3. Introduce students to the ABCs (Airway, Breathing, Circulation), and demonstrate their use on a mannequin. Have students practice using the ABCs, and have them answer questions to demonstrate their understanding.

4. Model for students the two basic steps of CPR: ventillations and chest compressions. Use the mannequins to show the proper techniques.

5. Explain the adult CPR procedure when there are two CPR-licensed adults available. Then explain the adult CPR procedure when there is only one CPR-licensed adult available.

6. Model the differences between performing CPR on a child or infant and on an adult. Use the smaller CPR mannequins to demonstrate.

7. Demonstrate the use of rescue breathing and response to choking.

Tips & Warnings

• Give adequate hands-on practice to your students. Listening to a lecture will not prepare them like practicing CPR themselves will. Make sure to use antibacterial wipes on the mannequins' mouths between students.
• Make sure that you are up-to-date on the proper CPR techniques. Details change often due to new research and it is important that you are teaching the approved methods.

Resources

• American Heart Association - CPR Information
• American Red Cross - CPR Information

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