AHA vs. Red Cross CPR Training Programs - Differences Between the Two

As the need for awareness and knowledge on cardiac arrest and heart diseases heightens, more and more training centers open its doors for both medical professionals and curious individuals. Two of the most well-known centers for heart health and research are the American Heart Association (AHA) and the American Red Cross (ARC).

They are both respected organizations that promote and provide CPR certifications nationwide, including Chicago, with CPR training intended for individuals, corporate, and healthcare providers. They provide courses ranging from basic first aid and CPR, to offerings for healthcare professional like BLS, ALS, and PALS. But there are a few key differences between the two, which may help you decide where you'll be getting your certification:

Research on heart health

While the American Red Cross promotes and offers training based on the latest guidelines and research, the American Heart Association is also considered as a research organization that establishes and does the continuous updates on these CPR guidelines that will widely be used as basis for training materials of most CPR training programs both in Chicago and all around the country.

Offered Courses

The ARC offers first aid, CPR, and EAD for non-professionals and had introduced a new curriculum for healthcare professionals that includes Basic Life Support (BLS), Advanced Life Support (ALS), and Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS), which are commonly required for practitioners.

Similarly, the AHA also provides these courses, but is more 'in-depth' with the courses and training methods that they use, due to the fact that they are the ones who does research on the proper CPR guidelines.

For non-professionals and the employees, they have the popular 'Heartsaver' classes:

• CPR AED
• First Aid
• All of the above

On top of this, they also have community-oriented classes for people of all ages.

For medical professionals, in addition to the basic set of classes like BLS, ALS, and PALS, they also have the Pediatric Advanced Emergency Assessment, Recognition, and Stabilization (PEARS) and other specialized courses that are necessary for advanced health professions.

Imagine having access to all these CPR training courses, with approved training centers all across the country (such as the ones in the Chicago Area!)

CPR Certification and Acceptance Difficulty

Since AHA's standards are practice-oriented and have in-depth courses, they have more challenging sessions and have a higher passing percentage rate than ARC's programs. Their methods of teaching and how closely they work with their participants, in addition to their well-detailed courses and constant research-driven guidelines, are very effective and pays off with a certification by the end of your CPR training.

No pain, no gain, they say.

In the end, both organizations offer the same classes and techniques, and are widely accepted in many hospitals and healthcare facilities. The only questions to ask before signing up are these: What does your workplace require? Which courses are currently available? What CPR training classes are near my place?

If you're in Chicago, the last one is a no-brainer - CPR Associates, Inc., approved and certified by the American Heart Association, is just right beside you in your CPR training and certification needs.

Call now at 773-973-6933 to refresh your life saving training!