CPR vs. AED Training: Choosing the Right Course for You

If you’re confused about the difference between CPR and AED, you’re not alone. If you’re considering taking a CPR or First Aid course, you’re likely seeing both CPR and AED come up a lot in the course descriptions and are probably wondering what they each are and which one you need to know.

With CPR and AED training, you will be able to save the life of a heart attack victim by providing timely assistance while waiting for emergency medical services. Make sure that you learn about the essential lifesaving skills as it will increase the chances of saving the life of a person who suffers from a heart attack. This article will discuss everything you need to know about the difference between CPR and AED.

What is CPR?

CPR stands for “Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation,” a lifesaving method used when a person’s heart has stopped. CPR requires the rhythmic compressing of a person’s chest. Chest compressions will physically keep the blood flowing through the body to keep the organs alive. When functioning normally, the heart pumps oxygenated blood to the vital organs. However, when the heart stops, it can lead to severe organ failure, brain damage, and even death in less than 10 minutes. CPR manually keeps the blood flowing so it can continue to deliver oxygen to the organs and can be performed while waiting for help to arrive on the scene.

Take a Free CPR, AED & First Aid Practice Test and prepare yourself for the official CPR/AED certification exam.

cpr and aed

What is AED?

AED refers to an “Automated External Defibrillator,” a lifesaving machine that will restart the heart when it stops. AEDs are automated, and the machine itself will walk a person through how to use them in medical emergencies. AEDs are available in most public areas for anyone to use during a cardiac arrest. Another situation in which AED is used is when a person suffers from ventricular fibrillation or ventricular tachycardia.

Also Read- Tips in Choosing The Best AED Device

What’s the Difference Between CPR and AED Training?

If you are in a situation where you see someone experiencing cardiac arrest, performing CPR and using an AED can be the difference between life and death—and knowing when to use each of them is vital.

CPR and AED training are two different steps in saving the life of someone suffering from cardiac arrest. CPR is a procedure to keep the blood pumping when the heart stops, while an AED is a machine that will get the heart started again after it stops. The American Heart Association has stated that the survival rate of the victims nearly doubles when AED is administered along with CPR. In addition, while CPR help maintains blood flow, AED ensures proper heart rhythm. Both are important and increase the odds that a person survives a heart attack.

cpr and aed

CPR and AED: Which One Should You be trained In?

The answer is both. CPR/AED training and certification go hand in hand because CPR and defibrillation are needed to save lives during medical emergencies. You can perform basic CPR by pumping the chest with your hands, but further training is required to provide the most effective care possible. An AED’s audio automation will verbally tell you what to do to operate the machine, but more knowledge will benefit anyone who needs to use one. When used together, performing CPR and using an AED provide the best chances of saving a person’s life.

Get CPR Certified in Minutes for as low as $19.95

Join thousands of professionals that have been certified online with us
100% Online Certification
Fast & Convenient
Instant Certification Card
Nationally Accepted
Get Started
5 star
4.87/5.00
from 259,205 reviews

CPR
Certification

Tailored for the community and workplace
$19.95
$24.95
Offer Expires:
date
Comprehensive CPR Training Across All Ages
Choking response training
Recovery position technique course
cpr and aed training

CPR and AED Training

Fortunately, you only need to take one online course covering CPR/AED Certification. The two go hand in hand in saving lives during a cardiac arrest, and it’s the combination of CPR and AED that a person needs to make it to the hospital for further care. Nearly all CPR online training today include training on AED in addition to the traditional CPR instructions.

Also Read- Online CPR Certification vs. On-Campus CPR Training: Which is Better?

CPR and AED are joint steps in saving someone’s life, and with the proper training, anyone can learn these techniques that can be the difference between life and death. If you’re a healthcare provider looking for a health certification course, confirm that the program you choose should be CPR/AED Certification for healthcare professionals to give you the most effective and well-rounded training possible. This will give you the best chances of success in helping during an emergency cardiac arrest.

Understanding the difference between CPR and AED and knowing why they’re both vital components in First Aid training is the first step in knowing what to look for in a training course. Certification in CPR and AED will give you confidence in your abilities and the knowledge to help you save lives in a crisis.

Key Takeaways:

Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and Automated External Defibrillator (AED) are two different lifesaving actions that a rescuer should take when trying and save someone’s life. When a victim goes into SCA, their heart stops beating. They can lose their life within a few minutes if their vital organs do not receive oxygenated blood. You will need to perform CPR and use an AED to increase their chances of survival while waiting for the emergency medical services. Although CPR and AED are covered in the same training course, they are not the same. Here are some key takeaway from this post: