20 Careers That Require CPR Certifications
YOU WOULDN’T EVER NEED TO KNOW CPR BECAUSE YOU’RE NOT IN THE MEDICAL FIELD, RIGHT? Wrong!
Not only is CPR certification the responsible choice, but it's also often the required choice. Employers, even in the non-medical fields are cracking down on employee safety and are beginning to see the crucial importance of this life-saving knowledge.
It's hard to imagine having to use CPR on a victim of cardiac arrest, but the reality of the prevalence of sudden cardiac arrest in America is shocking; more than 350,000 people in the United States experience cardiac arrest every year.
While CPR is typically associated with health care and medical careers, laypersons can too benefit from CPR certification, leverage their careers and even save a live. You'll be surprised to find that these employers often call for their employees to be certified.
20 Non-Medical Careers with CPR Certification Needs:
1. Fireman
Firemen are required to save people from disaster situations and promote public health and safety. Firefighters could need to use CPR several times a month or week within their demanding practice. If you are considering a career as a firefighter, consider tackling CPR certification beforehand to demonstrate your preparedness and caution.
2. Coaches and Athletic Trainers
Cardiac arrest doesn’t discriminate age. Anyone, even children and young adults, can experience it and require CPR. Coaches and athletic trainers often push their students' cardiac abilities, endurance and stamina.
3. Volunteers
From volunteering abroad to simply volunteering at a local food bank, volunteering often involves physical activities that can be strenuous on the human body such as heavy lifting, poor weather conditions or long hours without sitting. Volunteers are often asked to complete up-to-date CPR certification by coordinators because of the higher-risk environment.
4. Construction Worker
Construction workers pour cement, haul heavy materials, and operate complex machinery. These physically demanding conditions create a high-risk workplace, so CPR certification is a necessity.
5. Child Care Provider
Like stated above, infants and children can need CPR, especially with the increase risk in choking. Childcare providers are essentially responsible for a child's life during the time they are working. Adult CPR differs from infant and child CPR, so having the proper certification is critical.
6. Electrician
A career as an electrician is considered high-risk for safety, as they are exposed to the potential electric shock, high temperatures, toxic chemicals, fires, explosions and so much more everyday. With these hazardous conditions, the ability to act in an emergency situation is a must.
7. Flight Attendant
Flight attendants are the only readily available staff on a flight, and are often responsible for taking proper action in the case of an emergency. We’ve all seen the horror scenes in the movies when an emergency occurs on flight, and no passengers have medical knowledge. Flight attendants have to be equipped to use CPR and an AEDs.
Did you know: The American Heart Association has begun installing CPR kiosks in airports where the public can interactively touch up or learn CPR skills while traveling!
8. Corrections Officer
Correctional officers and other jail and prison personnel are responsible for supervising the activities of inmates, enforcing rules, aiding in rehabilitation, etc. They often experience unsanitary conditions, contraband, weapons, violence and are constantly around people of all ages and demographics. Understanding what to do in the case of a cardiac emergency is crucial in this line of work.
9. Lifeguard
Lifeguards are responsible for the lives of pool and beach-goers, and should be equipped to know how to perform CPR, understand first aid basics and be able to use an AED, as emergencies can occur both in and out of the water. There are specific rules for infant and children CPR, which should be differentiated from the more commonly learned adult CPR. From the possibility of drowning to falling, all lifeguards must be certified.
10. Nanny and Babysitter
Dedicated nannies and babysitters understand the responsibility to always put the safety of the child or children being watched first. Children are especially susceptible for CPR and first aid intervention as they are more exploratory and unaware of what is safe and unsafe. Most parents and employers looking to hire a babysitter or nanny won't consider any applicants not certified in CPR.
11. Server
Not only are servers constantly around people, but they are also around people in a busy environment where choking, falling, and cardiac emergencies can happen. CPR and first aid knowledge is critical while working in the food and beverage industry.
12. Manager
Managers, whether retail, restaurant or small business, are responsible for employee actions, but are also typically liable for the health and wellness of the staff. Individuals are disposed to a variety of conditions that may be unsafe at work. Therefore, managers should know the proper action to save a life.
13. Teacher and School Staff
Like mentioned above, children are prone to injury, illness and choking more so than adults so CPR and first aid knowledge is often a requirement among employers looking to hire staff at schools.
14. Secretary
Secretaries may be the first and only person to see someone. They typically oversee the lobby or common areas of buildings where there may not be many people nearby.
15. Counselor
Counselors see individuals who may be experiencing difficult times when mental and physical health is diminished. Counselors typically work with one individual, couple or family during long hours. Because of these conditions, knowing how to act in an emergency is crucial.
16. Security Guard
Security guards have a wide variety of duties, which include patrolling property, monitoring surveillance, controlling traffic, etc. Essentially, security guards are responsible for maintaining a safe environment for all individuals and employees in the surrounding areas.
17. Parent
While parenting isn't necessarily a career, the workload and responsibilities of parenting are some of the greatest out there. Like nannies and babysitters, parents should prioritize their childrens safety first and foremost, and should consider becoming CPR, AED and first aid certified as emergencies, injury and illness are inevitable.
18. Yoga Teacher
The efforts exuded during yoga may test a persons physical and mental limitations. The high intensity stretches and high temperatures put yogis at a high risk for emergency.
19. Social Worker
Like counselors, social workers work with individuals and families intimately and should always be prepared for both minor and major emergencies.
20. Student
Being CPR certified as a student will not only boost your resume, but will also prepare you to act in an emergency during classes, seminars and within close living quarters, like dorm rooms.
According to the American Heart Association, 70 percent of American bystanders feel helpless during an experience of sudden cardiac arrest, so they neglect to do anything. Without CPR, a victim can experience brain damage or death within minutes, and usually medical help arrives too late. In a perfect world, everyone would choose to be CPR certified. First aid and cardiac emergencies don't favor anyone, anywhere. Choosing to be certified can be the difference between getting the job, but can also be the difference between life and death.
For more information about becoming CPR or BLS certified, contact Red Heart Training:
LearnLifeSavingSkills.com | (717) 577-0191 | info@RedHeartTraining.com