What is high-quality CPR? And where can I learn it?

When looking at the potential survivability of a person in cardiac arrest, the better the quality of the CPR care provided, the better the potential for a positive outcome. That said, at CPR-Twin Cities, we teach high-quality CPR — and only high-quality CPR — in all of our classes.

High-quality CPR has several factors:

  • The victim needs to be placed on a flat, firm surface (generally on the floor or the ground, unless in a healthcare facility where there may be other equipment available.
  • The victim’s chest needs to be exposed, so that the rescuer can visualize the proper landmarks for hand-positioning, as well as to be able to visualize the necessary “chest recoil” after each compression.
  • The chest compressions need to be delivered the proper rate and depth appropriate for a victim in that age group, and the chest needs to recoil sufficiently to allow blood to return to the heart after each compression.
  • The rescuer needs to use good body mechanics for effective chest compressions and to preserve his or her energy.

That, in a nutshell, is what high-quality CPR is. Yet just knowing that is not enough. You need to be guided in performing it on a life-like manikin. Not just shown on a pre-recorded video, but individually guided, and corrected, as necessary, to make sure you’re doing it correctly. That is something you can only do in a live-time, in-person class. An online-only class does not provide such an opportunity. And, besides, the “certificate” from such an online-only class is not likely going to be accepted as legitimate, should you ever need certification for employment or school.

So don’t waste your time with online-only CPR classes. Do it right the first time. Choose CPR-Twin Cities and learn from a highly experienced, highly patient instructor how to perform high-quality CPR (as well as how to use an AED and give First Aid).

While high-quality CPR and high-performance CPR are related, they are not exactly the same thing. Click here for information on high-performance CPR.

CPR-Twin Cities CPR, AED and First Aid

CPR-Twin Cities is a proud provider CPR, AED and First Aid classes, training and certification in the Twin Cities (Minneapolis-St. Paul) area. Rest assured, all of our trainers are highly experienced instructors. We don’t use rookies … ever! And — unlike some other CPR/AED and First Aid training providers — our class sizes are kept intentionally small, so you get the personal attention you need and deserve.

There is more than one level of CPR training and certification available. For instance, there are CPR classes specifically for the general public and others for health care providers and professional rescuers. There are also “hands-only” CPR classes for people who want to learn just the bare minimum. If unclear about which class to choose, please read the class descriptions page before scheduling a class, or contact us and we’ll do our best to help you decide.

“I have taken many CPR/First Aid classes … and yours was by far the best.