CPR, AED, & First Aid Certification Training & Education Available in New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania

Did you know that anybody can become CPR, AED, and First Aid certified? From healthcare providers, to coaches, to Boy Scout and Girl Scout troops; anyone can become certified in order to help save a life in an emergency situation. If you are looking to become CPR, AED, and First Aid certified and live in New York, New Jersey, or Pennsylvania, look no further than JAG Physical Therapy. We offer in-person and hybrid certification courses for both healthcare providers and anyone interested in becoming CPR, AED, and First Aid certified. 

We offer Basic Life Support (BLS) Courses for the healthcare provider, as well as Heartsaver First Aid with CPR & AED courses for anyone interested through the American Heart Association. The BLS Provider course adheres to the most current “International Guidelines for Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation and Emergency Cardiac Care” and meets the requirements by the Board of Certification for the Athletic Trainer.

Fill out the form to inquire about CPR & AED Certification courses for your organization so everyone can feel confident to help save a life.

CPR Process

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation, more commonly known as CPR, is a technique used in cardiac emergencies to save lives. Cardiac emergencies can result from occurrences such as heart attacks, choking, and near drowning. In these situations, an individual has stopped breathing and has an irregular heart rhythm. When there is a cessation of breathing and/or irregular heart rhythm, it is advised that the CPR process begins immediately, and an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) is requested right away, as this can double or triple the chances of survival. In order to effectively provide CPR, it is recommended that one obtains a CPR certification.

CPR is deemed necessary when an individual stops breathing, and their heart rhythm is irregular. Both trained individuals and the general public can provide care to a victim who is having a cardiac emergency. 

CPR Trained and Certified Individuals

Those who have been trained in the procedure and have the proper equipment will provide conventional CPR. Conventional CPR involves a combination of chest compressions and rescue breathing (with or without a mouth barrier). The ratio of compressions to breaths is 30:2, and the rate of the compressions is 100-120 beats per minute. An AED should be requested as soon as the CPR process begins, and applied as soon as it arrives on site.

General Public or Bystander 

For the bystander who has not been formally trained, compression-only CPR can be completed. This procedure only involves compressions and no rescue breathing. The rate of compressions remains 100-120 beats per minute when compression-only CPR is being completed. An AED should be requested as soon as the CPR process begins, and applied as soon as it arrives on site. 

(American Heart Association, 2023)

Importance of the AED

AEDs are portable devices that will deliver electric shocks through the chest and the heart when an individual is in cardiac arrest. AEDs are requested as soon as a trained individual in CPR and AED or a bystander determines a victim has stopped breathing and their heart rhythm is irregular. AEDs can be used by anybody as they provide automated, verbal instructions once turned on. The built-in computer will check a victim's heart rhythm through adhesive electrodes and determine whether defibrillation is required. Step-by-step audible prompts will continue to play on the AED throughout the course of use. 

AEDs are typically found in public areas including airports, hotels, schools, healthcare facilities, and sporting venues – it is important to be aware of where they are located since the immediate use of an AED significantly increases a victim’s chances of survival. Although one does not have to be trained to use an AED it is highly recommended that one seeks formal training. CPR courses at JAG Physical Therapy include formal training on the use of an AED. 

(American Heart Association, 2017)

References

American Heart Association (2023). “What is CPR?”. American Heart Association. https://cpr.heart.org/en/resources/what-is-cpr 

American Heart Association. (2017). “”.https://www.heart.org/-/media/files/health-topics/answers-by-heart/what-is-an-aed.pdf