Before taking First Aid training and CPR training classes, you have to put into consideration first whether you want to do it in a classroom setting or online CPR training. For the smooth online training classes, you must have either a laptop or a smartphone, with access to a good internet facility to avoid inconveniences during a course. In contrast, if you take CPR training classes physically at the training center in an in-person class.
Whether you want to take an online CPR class or in-person skills class will still depend on your reasons and availability. So let’s discuss the difference between these two types of learning style to help you decide.
How does Online CPR Certification work?
You can learn CPR online on your schedule through online CPR certification. Online classes, only a few short hours to complete but can help you save a life when every second counts. Online courses are easy to access and complete. All you need is a willingness to learn, access to the internet, and a pc, laptop, tablet, or any mobile device.
Online CPR training follow the guidelines of the American Heart Association and Emergency Cardiovascular Care. The course is divided into several modules, which you can take in virtually any order.
And with unlimited access to the coursework, you can take your time getting through class, complete all of the modules at once, then revisit the modules to refresh your knowledge. In addition, these courses do not require you to do in-person skills session to pass the certification. All you need to do is complete the coursework and pass the certification exam. After successful completion, you will obtain your digital certificate and actual two-year certification card.
How does Classroom CPR training Work?
Like Online CPR classes, classroom type of training allows you to gain the lifesaving skill needed to respond during cardiac arrest, and other life-threatening emergencies before the Emergency Medical Services team arrives. It also follows the guidelines of the American Heart Association and Emergency Cardiovascular Care.
However, this training format is more personalized and can involve many teaching methods. An in-person instructor can teach the same topic in many ways to make sure every student fully understands the concept. Most CPR classes are in a single, full-day format, so it won’t be for busy professionals who cannot take a day off.
The instructor will typically start with some lecture topics. The instructor may incorporate hands-on portions throughout the day to keep the lecture engaging. You will likely have to act out assessing cardiac emergencies to ensure you are comfortable with the types of questions you need to ask and your role in the emergency situation. In addition, you may be asked to dress a mock wound or perform abdominal thrusts on a choking victim during the class. Your course will utilize dummies for the practice of CPR and AED use.
Also Read- CPR Training vs. AED Training: Which One Do I Need?

When Should Go for Online CPR Classes?
Not all people can show up for classroom type classes. Some have tight work schedules and cannot attend CPR training classes like medical professionals and healthcare providers. Hence, online CPR training is the best way if they wish to learn CPR skills. Some of the grounds where one may prefer online training include:
- Online courses for CPR classes are easily accessible.
- The schedule of the one willing to take the online classes might be tight. It hence may not be able to access the on-campus training for CPR.
- One can do the online course at their own pace.
- Taking online classes for learning cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) skills is fast.
Why Do Employers Prefer CPR Certified Professionals?
Both classroom-based and online CPR training courses give the same level of certification. Nevertheless, some employers check if one meets what is required to qualify for the job before hiring. So, before joining any CPR course, you have to make sure that a certified instructor is conducting the training.
Most employers prefer applicants who have taken the classes physically, but some also accept online certifications if the person has taken the course from a major organization like the American Heart Association or the American Red Cross, or any other renowned organization. So before you take either the in person or the CPR training online, you must consider that the course must follow the latest American Heart Association guidelines.
Also Read- 5 Benefits Of Becoming Online CPR Certified
Advantages of Online CPR Training Classes
If you are wondering how to get CPR certified online, you should learn the advantages and disadvantages first before you can decide.
- You can learn at your own pace, start the training classes and the testing when you wish to take the training, and retake a test if you want to.
- In online learning classes, they use DVDs and recorded instructional videos to learn. You may pause or replay the video if something is not clear.
- Online CPR certification is convenient if you prefer to take the training classes at night, in the daytime, or in the morning. The online courses are convenient for the people wishing to take the CPR training suitable for them.
- You can repeat the video demonstration several times in the online class for further understanding.
- After taking the online CPR certification, you can access your certification card, valid for two years, and training materials from the training center’s website. You can log in to your account and access the certification cards, and if you want it in a hard copy format, you can print it out.
- There is no skill evaluation in online training in online CPR certification since the skills are taught virtually through videos.
- Online CPR certification is fast and easily accessible from a remote place.
Which between the in-person and online CPR training favors one schedule?
In CPR and first aid certification online training, you can take the training class on your own time. You can also download a video and watch it later. Some people understand better in the morning, others at night. People prefer learning when their concentration is high, and they can understand better. This makes online training better since you can learn at your own pace from anywhere. Unlike classroom training, if you feel ready to take the test, you can’t do it. The students take the test as scheduled by the training center, and you have to attend the classes as scheduled by the CPR training center. In classroom training, you have to depend on the physical attendance of the courses to get trained.

Disadvantages of Classroom CPR training
First Aid training and CPR training in a classroom setting may be the most effective method but has its disadvantages and advantages; these disadvantages may include:
- For attendance of in person training sessions, you have to attend the training classes as scheduled by the training center and the specified location where the training for CPR is being offered. Unlike in online training, you can attend their training session at your own suitable time and at any place provided they have an electronic gadget that can access the training website and strong internet access.
- In classroom training, more time is taken during these physical classes. You find that in physical classes, they engage themselves in many activities, such as asking questions. You also find that the instructor teaches without eliminating anything they don’t consider if one is good at the subject. Unlike in an online class, if you are good at a subject and you think you don’t need to study it, you can skip the subject. This reduces the time taken to learn CPR and makes online training less time-consuming.
Advantages of Classroom CPR training
- Students undertaking the online CPR certification classes can not practice the skill they have learned from the video. Unlike in hands on training, you can practice the skills you have learned.
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- In a classroom training, you can ask a question to the instructor directly; if something or information is not clear, one can seek clarification, unlike in an online class.
- One can demonstrate the skills they have learned from the on-campus training in Infront of the whole class. If you incorrectly do the practical, you can be corrected by the instructor. This ensures that one gets the correct training. Their level of expertise is better than taking online training since the one taking online activity makes a mistake. No one is there to see the error and correct it.
Also Read - Which CPR Certification is right for me?
Conclusion
Online and classroom-based course for CPR both offer the same level of certification, and both have their advantages and disadvantages. Before you choose the method you wish to use to train for CPR, you have to consider whether the method used to access the CPR training meets the employer’s requirements. You go with the approach that meets the employer’s needs. You also need to consider if the method they are using to train for CPR fits your schedule. In addition, if there are no available training centers in your area, you always have the option to take the online courses for CPR training.
Both online and classroom training program also offers specific certification training for healthcare providers and the community & workplace, including recertification CPR classes for those who are CPR-certified but their certification is near the expiration date or has expired. So whether you are a medical professional, workplace employee, or just a normal citizen, there’s always a class for you.
Enroll Now for Online CPR/AED Training & Certification Classes at just $19.95.
