How to Choose CPR, AED and First Aid Training

A common question often asked is which brand of CPR, AED and First Aid training is the best. The question is further complicated as there are many brands available to choose from across the United States and the world-wide web. In your situation which is best? The answer depends on a number of factors as well as your personal preference. All credible CPR, AED and First Aid courses will have a skills assessment component to ensure understanding of concepts and skill acquisition. Let us look at three national well-recognized brands of safety training and the offerings of each.

American Heart Association

American Heart Association (AHA) is well known and have written many of the professional CPR guidelines. AHA is widely accepted across the United States and is often the choice for health care related professions. AHA authorizes training centers after a lengthy review process to ensure quality instruction is offered. AHA offers a large course catalogue including basic, BLS for health care, advance life support, corporate training, community CPR as well as hands only CPR. AHA provides state of the art training materials and focuses on consistency of training by authorized instructors.

American Red Cross

American Red Cross (ARC) is recognized nationally and internationally. The ARC focuses on the person-centered care and humanitarian disaster planning and help. The ARC has now moved more towards disaster service and has begun to authorize private safety training centers, similar to franchising. Training centers have access to cutting edge training materials and have the full support of the ARC in training development. The ARC offers an enormous array of course offerings including basic, advanced life support, corporate training, coach training, aquatics safety and preparedness programs. ARC certification is widely accepted but is often favored by emergency and disaster service organizations.

American Safety and Health Institute

American Safety and Health Institute (ASHI) is a nationally recognized provider of safety training programs. ASHI authorizes training centers and produces training materials consistent with AHA and ARC materials. Thousands of organizations across the United States allow ASHI certification but is shut out by few professions. ASHI too, offers an extensive course catalogue including basic, advanced life support, emergency medical response, community and workplace training, pet, child and babysitter safety courses. Social service and community-based care organizations most often accept ASHI course certification.

As you can see, all three brands offers very similar course offerings. Each has an online option for the lecture and testing portions of training, but each requires a skills performance assessment before issuing certification. The certification period for each is two years and then requires re-certification. Each provides training courses based on the Emergency Cardiovascular Care and International Consensus of Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation recommendations. Choosing wish brand is best for you is often a personal choice. If certification is a requirement by your profession or vocational program, one should seek guidance from their employer or higher education provider to decide on acceptable brands.