CPR is a potentially life-saving skill that most of us know is valuable, but it can be intimidating to take the first step in learning how to perform CPR. I know I’ve wondered before whether I would even have the presence of mind in an emergency to administer CPR correctly. Fears like that are generally unfounded; in most life-threatening situations, doing something is better than doing nothing at all. Additionally, committing time and money to taking a course can be a huge obstacle for many people who find it difficult to give training top priority in their busy schedules. Combine this with the inherent difficulty in feeling an immediate need to prepare for a hypothetical emergency, and you get a unique problem for health and safety preparedness advocates.

With these obstacles in mind, what do you think is the most effective way to approach CPR learning? Should there be a greater variety of ways for people to learn? Or should the focus be more on enabling more institutions to teach and inform people? What would compel you, personally, to take the first step?

Here is some food for thought:

• Currently, the Red Cross offers classes through local chapters.
• Also, as John Solomon recently pointed out in his blog, there is a blended learning option provided by the Red Cross, which allows you to take an online course in your free time before meeting with an actual trainer to be tested and certified.
• Local chapters have also come up with creative ways to promote training, such as the “Singles CPR” events hosted by the Oregon Trail Chapter.

Please comment to let us know if you’ve seen or thought of any ways to motivate people to learn CPR.

Filed under: Health & Safety