5 benefits of offering training for CPR and first aid in the workplace
As you consider bringing in experts to train your employees in CPR and first aid, keep these five benefits in mind.
1. Save lives
The American Heart Association reports that 436,000 Americans die from cardiac arrest each year. More than 350,000 cardiac arrests occur somewhere other than a hospital each year. Bystander CPR, including the kind your newly trained employee might administer, happens in homes or other residences about 73% of the time and in public settings more than 16% of the time.
Consider a University of Manchester study that found up to 59% of injury-related deaths could’ve been prevented if first aid was administered prior to the arrival of first responders and the potential to save a life rises even further.
2. Highlight safety as part of your company culture
Having a workforce that’s 80% or 90% CPR trained can show that your company values safety. With first aid training, which teaches everything from choking protocols to how to stem bleeding, you communicate to your employees that safety is a vital part of your company’s core values.
When that culture of caring translates into something as useful as CPR training, it could also turn into increased employee satisfaction and engagement.
3. Empower employees and boost confidence
Offering CPR and first aid training gives skills that can empower employees and boost confidence by:
- Making people feel happy that they can potentially save someone’s life
- Learning something new and impactful in both the work environment and their personal lives
- Alleviating stress that may come from worrying about safety in the workplace
- Providing a sense of satisfaction that they’ve learned something new that benefits others
4. Increase team morale
Group CPR training and learning workplace first aid can be a team-building experience. Experts typically teach employees in groups, either department by department or in mixed groups put together by management.
As a team, everyone is learning enough basic first aid knowledge and CPR training to respond with confidence in an emergency. Even better, when participants see their coworkers investing time in learning the same thing, it can boost morale and keep them engaged in learning the new skill.
5. Build respect for management and the brand
Bringing an expert into the office to teach CPR should involve all levels of employees, including management. When C-suite executives and management actively participate in training sessions, it can show a commitment to employee wellness and equality. This inclusivity can help build respect for management and the brand by showing that leadership values the same training and preparedness as the team.
Leading by example and showing an interest in potentially saving a life or helping with an injury can foster a culture of mutual respect and care within the company.
How to kickstart workplace first aid and CPR training
The American Red Cross has an entire portfolio of courses, including training in first aid, CPR and automated external defibrillator certification. Training options and supportive materials include printable downloads, online learning, instructor-led courses, courses for certification renewal and self-paced online learning for those interested in continuing self-development.
There are also private organizations that offer CPR and first aid training.
FAQs about CPR & first aid training in the workplace
What is the difference between CPR and BLS certification?
CPR classes offer basic skills training for anyone who might be in a position to help resuscitate an infant, a child or an adult experiencing a cardiac emergency. CPR certification is generally sufficient for a layperson who won’t be in high-risk situations or a healthcare environment on a daily basis. Basic Life Support, or BLS, certifications are more complex and include CPR training and coursework in obstructed airways, opioid overdoses, legal considerations, safety precautions and critical thinking. BLS is generally reserved for healthcare professionals and first responders.
