I agree with you that it is very important for workers to be able to EFFECTIVELY respond during an emergency.
That is why in this article you need to explain the difference between Lay Responder and Professional Rescuer. Lay Responder (the level where most workers are) don't use CPR all the time.
The study, that both American Heart Association and the American Red Cross recognize, found that people only stay functional for 10.5 months. A newer study says 6 months. This is why ARC uses a 1 year certification. So if it is you lying on the floor do you want the person who MIGHT remember how to do it correctly or the person who's training is fresher.

Bruce, I would agree that a lay rescuer who completed the training within one year may remember more than someone who does it every two years. But, why is it that when EMS arrives more often than not, no one is doing CPR? How many in that crowd new CPR but did not choose to help. Was it that they didn't remember the steps of CPR or are they afraid to get sued or catch HIV? Is there not enough people trained? I don't think that people don't help because they can't remember, I think that the community is not being properly educated about how to manage the first few minutes of emergencies while they wait for professional help to arrive?

Thank you for the post. You are correct being trained on what to do "before help arrives" is very important. Because, depending on the area the person is in, it may be more than a few minutes before EMS arrives.
You statement that more people need to be trained on what to do "before help arrives" has just made my case. Here is an outline of the first 45 minutes to 1 hour of a Red Cross class, the portion that is not used in AHA classes.
1. Deciding to take action (including what might keep people from helping)
2. Good Samaritan Laws
3. Basic Bloodborne pathogens (possible disease exposures, using gloves and breathing barriers)
4. Cleaning up a blood spill (if in workplace setting)
5. OSHA Bloodborne regulations are mentioned. If more OSHA information is needed there is a OSHA compliant Bloodborne Pathogens course.
Now all that said as far as the CPR skills themselves go ARC and AHA are compliant. However, if someone is going to "ding" ARC because the courses are longer, than the information the student gains in the longer setting and that informaitons value needs to be at least mentioned.

About 41/2 years ago, when my frist grandaughter was half a year old I won a two day [10 HOUR] course for cpr,1staid & paddles.Ten HOURS of films and reading from a book, followed by a limited pratical application on each other & dummies!! BORRRRING!!Then I went to a 4HOUR trainning with Darcy Cook! NO FILMS All hands on,All simulations of actual circumstances that you encounter and practical info like; OPEN THE FRONT DOOR!! Red cross did not mention that... If you use a cell phone; BE READY TO TELL THEM WHERE YOU ARE!! Red cross skipped that one..All in All, the best trainning available is from Safety Trainers!!

Doug. Thank you for your kind words. Sounds like you took a class that did not meet your needs. We are happy that the Family and Friends program gave you the information you needed to take care of your granddaughter. Take care.

Bruce, I believe that all trainings should include that information. I encourage instructors to get the additional education on these issues because your class participants will ask questions about Bloodborne Pathogens and the Good Samaritan Laws regardless of it being ARC or AHA. I don't believe that participants retain information well that is presented in a long one day program that is mostly lecture. A class needs to maximize the time a student is practicing the skills. The new format for AHA is a watch then practice model. Less time talking more time practicing.

Darcy, sounds like your experience with ARC was pretty poor. First my background: I've been certified by ARC for about 5 years and just completed my Instructor training so can now actually certify others at the Lay level. The Lay Responder First Aid/CPR/AED course is 6.5 hours (plus time for breaks) and can be split over the course of several days if needed, most just choose to do it in one day to get it over with. I just checked AHA's site and current standards are that the Heartsaver First Aid with AED/CPR course lasts 6.5 - 7.5 hours.
ARC uses both a "watch then practice" and a "watch while you practice" approach. Our instructor for the instructor class is certified to teach both AHA and ARC and both teach virtually the same skills at the Lay level (with current standards, I know ARC changed in 2005, I believe AHA did as well). Her general policy is that if there is no requirement that it be either ARC or AHA she goes with ARC first aid and AHA CPR, but only because this gives the employer a longer time before they have to re-certify. My company does ARC and has traditionally done a complete retrain (FA/CPR/AED) every year (admittedly mostly because their bookkeeping stinks).
I've never taken an AHA class, but just got done talking to a friend who is an AHA instructor about some of the differences, they were hard to find. The chart (ultimately) linked to is cute, but did you notice it dates to 2002?
The point of the films (a tool used by both ARC and AHA), whether one agrees or not, is to provide a standardized demonstration of the skills, that way even if your instructor has poor skills, you can walk away from the class with good ones. The second reason is so that the instructor can spend more time monitoring/helping students and less time in front of the class manhandling a dummy.
Bottom line, under current standards ARC and AHA provide similar training in a similar amount of time.

I am interested in starting my own business in CPR/First Aid & Safety.So this topic is really helpful in deciding which organization is best (ARC/AHA).I would like to become an instructor before starting the business. Inorder to recieve the required training to instruct others. Currently, I am certified to adminisitor CPR if needed. Any suggestions or recommendation on which is most benefical. Also, any business tips on starting an CPR/First Aid business?

I took ARC CPR training from the Y a year ago. First, I didn't get my card back from them for the adult CPR. I only got the child and first aid which is a good thing since I started to work with kids a few months later. My mother. a nurse, asked if I learned to use an AED and I said no. You have to be in the professional rescue CPR classes to learn that. She went ballistic. She thinks everyone needs to be trained in the AED. Then, I told her I had to retake the class in a year. She thought that was odd since she as a nurse is only 2 years. She just thought it might be health provider rules. It wasn't until I read this article that I knew it was just ARC thing. 
 
 
 
I am currently taking EMT classes and we use AHA. It didn't touch on anything about good samaritain laws or most the stuff that we did in the first hour of ARC. We practiced with the video and would watch.  
 
 
 
I was talking to my mother last night. My ARC CPR has been expired for some months now and I said, "Even though I just took CPR with my EMT classes, I know I will have to take CPR again with the YMCA." She asked why. I replied, "The YMCA only does it in house and we didn't use ARC, we used AHA." She replied, "That's odd since everyone is peddling to get AHA because they are the best." That's my experience. 
 
 
 
Overall, currently, do I feel I could do CPR if an emergency? I feel like going over the ratios again, I can now. I completely forgot about them the last few months. I understand why do it every year. Maybe if they handed out CPR skills cards, it would help people retain the information over the year/two that they do not have CPR. 
 
 
 
This article was very enlightening. Thank you.

Trina, 
For your YMCA, you do not have to take the class again. Check with your local chapter for their schedule of Challenge courses. All you will have to do is go in take the written test, and do the skills. My area this costs less than $20.  
 
Bruce Ziebarth

Cantou direct me to a class so i can renew my cda certification. Ineed this class as soon as possible.I would appreciate the cost of the class,and possible a class for august,or sept.

I work as a lifeguard during the summer and CPR for the Professional Rescuer is required (AHA equivilant is CPR for the Health Care Provider). Both are acceptable in the state I work (either ARC or AHA). I prefer American Red Cross because it forces me to review CPR once each year. I've held certification from both and simply feel that the American Red Cross provides more details and allows more practice time rather than quickly watching a video and quickly demonstrating the skill. 
 
It takes longer, the cert isn't valid as long, but as far as I'm concerned, more training isn't bad -- and it seems crazy to me that someone would criticize an organization for conducting a longer training program. 
 
 
 
John

Some simple Red Cross clarifications- 
 
 
 
You do not have to take the Professional Rescuer class to attain AED training. It can be taught with any CPR course.  
 
 
 
Red Cross requires certification every year so participants stay fresh on their skills.  
 
 
 
Commending a class for being shorter in length does not equal adequate training.  
 
 
 
Classes are very dependent on the instructor. I have met very talented instructors and not-so-talented instructors. 
 
 
 
I encourage everyone to keep in mind the importance of learning to respond to emergencies in the event you could save a life.  
 
 
 
This is not just another training session. 
 
 
 
Before a year's certification is expired, the participant may opt for a review class or challenge at a lower rate and shorter class period. There are always options.  
 
 
 
I am concerned that workplaces are more interested in satisfying OSHA standard vs. providing life saving training for their employees. The majority of those employees are more likely to use this training on a loved one. If a workplace is concerned with public relations, wouldn't they be glad to know that the training they made available to their staff saved a life?  
 
 
 
If you want the real scoop on available cpr/first aid course, contact the American Red Cross and the American Heart Association. Do your research. Make an informed decision. Someone's life could be in your hands.

Very good points. I am a Red Cross Instructor and at my chapter, Adult CPR includes AED. We do not separate the 2. Your experience definitely depends on the instructor. My students are always very complimentary on the course and the way it was presented. As for the man who worries about employees spending too much time in class and its affect on productivity, an employee who is DOA (because noone remembered how to properly perform CPR), is usually not very PRODUCTIVE. I believe that if it were you lying on the ground in cardiac arrest, you would hope that someone who had as much training as possible was the one to respond. Have a great(and productive) day!

Thanks so much for the posts. I am an ARC instructer. I will be teaching my first classes this month to our home health CNA's. I know I will be asked this question and now I am prepared to answer. I am also prepared to make my classes informative and interesting with lots of hands on. I would welcome any suggestions. I will be teaching Adult CPR with AED. And yes, PRODUCTIVITY is the key!!

The following statements listed in your website are false, “American Heart Association (AHA) does all the research and writes the Emergency Cardiac Care (ECC) guidelines. The American Red Cross (ARC) uses the American Heart Association Guidelines to create their programs.” AHA does NOT do all of the research and write all of the ECC guidelines. The ECC guidelines are established and published based on the following information (see the AHA website for quotes): “The publication of The 2005 International Consensus on Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and Emergency Cardiovascular Care (ECC) Science with Treatment Recommendations (CoSTR) will represent the scientific consensus of experts from a variety of countries, cultures and disciplines. Internationally recognized experts were brought together by the International Liaison Committee on Resuscitation (ILCOR) to evaluate and form an expert consensus on all peer reviewed scientific studies related to CPR and ECC. Over 375 internationally recognized experts in the field of emergency cardiovascular care and cardiopulmonary resuscitation attended the 2005 International CoSTR Conference including Task Force members, and individual topic experts and authors. The 2005 International CoSTR Conference dealt exclusively with evaluating and interpreting peer-reviewed, published scientific evidence for each specific Task Force topic. The proceedings of this conference will provide the scientific basis from which each resuscitation council will compile individual Council Guidelines and practitioner recommendations. The AHA will develop AHA ECC and CPR Guidelines from the CoSTR document. AHA role is hosting the review, conference and publication of the consensus document in Circulation, but the science review is a cooperative ILCOR activity that is international in scope. Revised AHA guidelines based upon this international consensus on science will be published in Circulation in December 2005. Texts and training materials will follow the publication of council-specific guidelines. The proceedings of this conference will provide the scientific basis from which each resuscitation council will compile individual Council Guidelines and practitioner recommendations. “ 
 
 
 
The American Red Cross utilizes the ECC guidelines based on the above research and decisions made at the CoSTR Conference, and forms their council-specific guidelines based on this information (i.e., 1-year certification for Lay persons, 2-year certification for Professional Rescuers, 1-year certification for Lifeguards, etc.). 
 
 
 
ARC offers a 1-year certification period for laypersons keeping their cardholders more current in their skills and knowledge (plus a recent study shows that the actual retention of skills/material is only 6 months). AHA only offers a 2-year certification period for laypersons. ARC classes are longer because a lot of important and critical information is covered. If I were the victim, I would definitely want my rescuer ” to be trained like an EMT”. 
 

Both ARC & AHA have there flaws. First & foremost, AHA & ARC only care about the money! Both ARC & AHA curriclum is poor in their own unique way. Further, as a CPR & ACLS instructor, the new instructors that AHA & ARC dont know their head from their toe! Nevertheless, all of the information is taught from a video and instructors fail to instruct! Student shall be lectured, drilled, given hand outs, take notes, have a pre test, post test, look at power points, and again hands on! People dont do CPR in public for a wide array of reasons, probably lack of access to barrier devices, I keep mine in my car, if I am in a mall I am not walking outside for it. I love when I see an AED on the wall with no gloves, razor, towel, and barrier device with it!

The American Red Cross is a non-profit, humanitarian organization so they obviously do NOT only care about the money. “An average of 91 cents of every dollar the Red Cross spends is invested in humanitarian services and programs. The Red Cross is not a government agency; it relies on donations of time, money, and blood to do its work.” (see ARC Headquarters website for quotes). CPR/AED/First Aid classes taken at the American Red Cross chapters are taught with a curriculum that utilizes a combination of instructor-led lecture, student workbooks (including short quizes), student/instructor interaction including question and answer sessions, video, CPR/AED/First Aid skills cards used during hands-on practice time while instructor corrects/critiques skills, real life scenarios hands-on skills practice, and a final written test. The training at the American Red Cross chapters is excellent and is very thorough.

Lori M.: While I understand that ARC is a non government and non profit agency, and I do participate with my local chapter by volunteering with my chapter, that is not what is in question. The question is, who is better ARC or AHA. And my point is both curricula have there flaws, and it is largely on the instructor to fill in the gaps, however, that is often not done because a large amount of the instructors are taught to play "the video."

American Red Cross instructors are NOT “taught to play the video”. They are taught to utilize the American Red Cross First Aid/CPR/AED Workplace/Schools and Community Instructor’s Kit manual which has a curriculum that uses a combination of instructor-led lecture, student workbooks (including short quizes), student/instructor interaction including question and answer sessions, video, CPR/AED/First Aid skills cards used during hands-on practice time while instructor corrects/critiques skills, real life scenarios hands-on skills practice, and a final written test. If you know of an American Red Cross instructor that is not following the above curriculum and are just “playing the video”, then you should contact your local chapter’s American Red Cross Health and Safety Services Manager to bring it to their attention. Each chapter may have their own protocol for this matter, but our ARC chapter calls the instructor in, discusses the situation, and gives them a warning that they need to follow the American Red Cross curriculum or their American Red Cross instructor’s card will be revoked. This will ensure that students are receiving the excellent American Red Cross training session that they deserve and are paying for, whether it be at an ARC instructor’s private-owned business or through the ARC local chapter.

I am an American Red Cross instructor and I am more often than not asked this question. Believe me, most of you are on target-- American Red Cross believes that if you don't use it, you LOSE it! :) So, for you ARC instructors that sometimes are given a hard time for this, hang in there and remember that once a year is great for people who are REALLY interested in saving lives.

This information was so helpful to me because I work for a security company that is trying to force me to take a cpr class with the red cross when I have already had it with the American Heart Association. This article will come in handy with my battle as to not waste an 8hour day and get taken off of a work schedule as my account manager threatens to anyone who does not participate in his scheduled class with the red cross. Nothing take from the Red Cross, however, if I have training and certification with the "Researchers" why should I be subject or example to my account managers ignorance

Ebony, 
 
 
 
The following statements listed on this website are FALSE,  
 
“American Heart Association (AHA) does all the research and writes the Emergency Cardiac Care (ECC) guidelines. The American Red Cross (ARC) uses the American Heart Association Guidelines to create their programs.” AHA does NOT do all of the research and write all of the ECC guidelines. The ECC guidelines are established and published based on the following information (see the AHA website for quotes): “The publication of The 2005 International Consensus on Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and Emergency Cardiovascular Care (ECC) Science with Treatment Recommendations (CoSTR) will represent the scientific consensus of experts from a variety of countries, cultures and disciplines. Internationally recognized experts were brought together by the International Liaison Committee on Resuscitation (ILCOR) to evaluate and form an expert consensus on all peer reviewed scientific studies related to CPR and ECC. Over 375 internationally recognized experts in the field of emergency cardiovascular care and cardiopulmonary resuscitation attended the 2005 International CoSTR Conference including Task Force members, and individual topic experts and authors. The 2005 International CoSTR Conference dealt exclusively with evaluating and interpreting peer-reviewed, published scientific evidence for each specific Task Force topic. The proceedings of this conference will provide the scientific basis from which each resuscitation council will compile individual Council Guidelines and practitioner recommendations. The AHA will develop AHA ECC and CPR Guidelines from the CoSTR document. AHA role is hosting the review, conference and publication of the consensus document in Circulation, but the science review is a cooperative ILCOR activity that is international in scope. Revised AHA guidelines based upon this international consensus on science will be published in Circulation in December 2005. Texts and training materials will follow the publication of council-specific guidelines. The proceedings of this conference will provide the scientific basis from which each resuscitation council will compile individual Council Guidelines and practitioner recommendations. “ 
 
 
 
The American Red Cross utilizes the ECC guidelines based on the above research and decisions made at the CoSTR Conference, and forms their council-specific guidelines based on this information (i.e., 1-year certification for Lay persons, 2-year certification for Professional Rescuers, 1-year certification for Lifeguards, etc.). 
 
 
 
You can take the American Red Cross review class (anywhere between 2 - 4 hours depending upon the number of components you need recertification in (i.e., Adult, Child, Infant, AED, etc..)) if your AHA certification has not been expired more than a year (both American Red Cross and American Heart Association recognizes each others certification).  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

I am an ARC instructor and have been for 3 years now. First of all my instructor training was first rate, and I don't simply play the video. I have taught for many organizations who require this for their employees -- many of them were previously trained by AHA. The comments are always the same -- the ARC training was considered far more in depth with a lot more practice time, and they feel much more confident of their skills after. I too am concerned that too many people are just worried with getting the training over with and not having to do it again for two years, rather than actually having employees properly trained to use CPR skills and save lives. I know if I passed out in the parking lot, which would be more important to me.

The bottom line is it all full on the insturctor not the program. BOTH programs are great. I teach both plus NSC. The instructor is the key to all of this. If you are taught well, then it doesn't matter which company name is on your card.

I recently had First Aid CPR/AED training at my company with an AHA instructor. He had us watch a video and muddle through on manikins right at our seats. 
 
After three hours, he said we all passed and then took our study books back! 
 
I was incensed and paid out of my own pocket to take the course at the local Red Cross. The ARC video was better produced. Also the work books and hand outs were excellent. 
 
We had a combination of video then instructor led practice. We then had to show that we could perform proper compressions and rescue breaths on the floor as if it were a real situation and take a written test to get certified. 
 
I enjoyed the class so much that I just became an ARC instructor. 
 
But I will say that the techniques are exactly the same and the instructor can make or break a class! 
 
One last thing I need to say is that the AHA should change their lay responder recertification to one year. It has been proven that after 10 months many responders will not act because they don’t remember enough to feel confident to do so. 
 
 

Sorry, but it's been "proven" by retention studies (ARC) that students will only remember after 6 months.

What are people's thoughts on instructors who have not performed CPR on the job or in any real life situation? I have considered becoming an instructor (AHA or ARC) but I am concerned about credibility due to my lack of experience applying CPR in the real world. Thank you for your input.

I was a ARC Instructor for CPR for the Professional Rescuer as well as a Life Guard Instructor for 6 years (back when it was 15 compressions to 2 breaths) A few years ago I took a refresher course on the new ratio and the new verbage. I am now in the Navy and Rescue Swimmer looking to get back into the Instructor portion of CPR again to train my swimmers as well as my Ship.  
 
I often hear people say that CPR saves lives, but really, it only helps. (obviously) If the heart has stopped beating and you perform CPR, all you are doing is helping pump the blood through out the body as well as regulate oxygen through the body. That is not going to jump-start a heart and get it beating again. That is where the AED comes into play, and more than likely will be the saving grace. I'm not knocking CPR, I'm just saying that it needs to be coupled with an AED to be effective (I understand that most places don't have proper AED equipment, but knowing how to use one never hurt) 
 
I honestly don't see what the big deal is about the training between ARC & AHA. Right now I'm looking to get Instructor qualified with AHA. If that doesn't suit my fancy, I'll go to the ARC and get instructor qualified with them.  
 
I think the training from ARC is quality. To the person who said something about "Open the front door" that's just stating the obvious and doesn't really make it better training. 
 
If you work for a company that doesn't regularly use CPR or need to use it, then I think a 1 year re-certification should be mando. This 2 year stuff for Nurses should be a no brainer as they probably use it more than anyone else. You all make me laugh...too funny. Stupid article over a moot subject. Who cares...just get the training and be prepared to save a life.