Training

What is the Goal?

Society promotes CPR/AED training because we want to increase the survival rate. Because cardiovascular disease takes more lives than any other disease or injury in the United States, we promote CPR/AED training because we want to increase the number of survivors. We want trained individuals to respond to sudden cardiac arrest victims, perform CPR, and attach and effectively operate an AED.

Obtaining a CPR/AED certification card has become the "goal" and not a "means" to the goal of saving lives. Since some companies require a CPR/AED certification card, simply obtaining a CPR/AED certification card has become the goal for both the employee and the employer. But clearly, just obtaining a card and going through the motions does not result in saving more lives.

Traditional classes teach CPR and AED as isolated skill sets, but research demonstrates that laypersons with CPR/AED skills training alone do not necessarily respond. An instructor's best intentions during CPR/AED classes may actually increase the trainees’ reluctance to respond. For example, concerns about what could go wrong, rarely occurring complications, and the focus of performing skills perfectly can erode confidence and increase apprehension in the infrequent responder.

Read the next article in the series (5/7)