What are the State CPR Guidelines in Florida?

Each state across the USA has specific guidelines concerning CPR certification, which are set to ensure that the CPR training provided to those in training is up to standards. These standards guarantee that the CPR courses for individuals and organizations can equip participants with the necessary practical skills and knowledge. 

The aim of today’s article is to cast a spotlight on what are the state CPR guidelines in Florida, explaining how to get a certificate, what types of certificates there are, and everything else on the topic. We’ll also review the state CPR requirements for high school graduates and the jobs requiring mandatory CPR certification.        

The Current State of Florida’s Health Care System

the leading cause of death in the state is catastrophic cardiovascular events. Factors such as physical inactivity and obesity also play a significant role in increasing the risk of cardiac episodes among Florida residents. By providing regulated and mandatory CPR training, people from Florida can become proficient in CPR and contribute massively to the community’s overall safety.  

CPR Training as a High School Graduation Requirement

One vital aspect of the CPR guidelines in Florida is that they include CPR training as a requirement for high school graduation. The guidelines have been in place since 2013/2014, suggesting that all high school students in Florida receive basic CPR and AED (Automated External Defibrillator) training before graduating.

The training is integrated into existing Health or Physical Education curriculums and has to feature practical hands-on training in addition to a basic theoretical understanding of the protocols. These guidelines aim to prepare students with practical skills that can save a life when it matters the most.

While student CPR certification is not mandatory per the bill outlining the requirements, education must be a part of the school’s curriculum. Recommendations are that schools use a nationally recognized and updated instructional program. 

What Jobs Require CPR Certification in Florida

CPR certification is available to every resident of Florida, but certain professions require a mandatory CPR certification of an advanced level of knowledge. Some of the job positions in Florida requiring (or at the very least, highly recommending) CPR certification are as follows:

• Instructors and directors for water-based activities along the lines of rowing, diving, swimming, and all other associated aquatic sports.
• Coaches, personal fitness trainers, volunteers, or professionals involved in youth athletics and sports.
• Elderly care employees who look after the elderly and/or disabled. These usually include social or charity workers, as well as in-house companions.
• Childcare professionals, including teachers, daycare employees, nannies, and babysitters.
• Front desk personnel like receptionists, administrators, or any other staff members, especially those working in doctors’ or dentists’ offices.
• First responders like security personnel, police officers, firefighters, and other professionals who may face cardiac emergencies.
• Employees working in retail, construction, manufacturing, and logistics areas, who may encounter emergencies in their workplace, primarily due to the size of the organizations employing them.

Advantages of Enrolling in Online CPR Courses

Apart from regular in-person training, online CPR certification is available to Florida residents and is considered a valid and convenient way of obtaining basic CPR training. Many providers offer comprehensive courses of different levels, all following state requirements. Getting CPR certified by way of an online course offers a host of advantages over opting for the more traditional classroom setting:

• Flexibility: Online courses allow individuals to take the classes at their own pace, making the process fit their convenience and schedule.
• Detailed Materials: The curriculums and assorted materials in CPR courses, including online, are prepared by certified and accredited instructors. 
• Practice Tests: When taking online CPR courses, you get a chance to do practice tests as many times as needed, leading to better retention of knowledge.
• Valid Certification: Successful completion of the courses results in an electronic certificate. Certain providers also include mailing a hard copy of the certificate upon course completion. 

Common Misconceptions Regarding Some CPR Guidelines

There are several misconceptions surrounding CPR Guidelines, which often confuse bystanders who want to help someone but do not have the proper training. Since they represent a source of hesitation in moments where decision-making is crucial, we are going to dispel them and help you learn more CPR facts:

1. CPR only works on adults: Contrary to popular belief, CPR is helpful for people of all ages, including infants and children. While the techniques and guidelines are different given the different needs of those under 55 lbs, the CPR principles remain the same. A specific certification level focuses on how to perform CPR on children, so basic CPR training might not always be enough. 
2. CPR alone can revive a cardiac arrest victim: CPR is a high-reliability technique to use in medical emergencies, but it is not a silver bullet. In certain instances, CPR is not enough to keep the victim alive. Remember that reviving a cardiac arrest victim with CPR is not always going to work, despite flawless execution, so you will need to call the EMTs before you start with compressions.
3. You can’t perform CPR on a person with a pacemaker: On the contrary, you can perform CPR on people with pacemakers. You can still perform chest compressions by having your hands in the middle of the chest, as pacemakers are usually far on the left side, so you will not affect them in any way.

Staying Updated on The Changes in State CPR Guidelines

As CPR techniques and protocols change based on newly emerging scientific evidence, you can expect state CPR guidelines in Florida to change, too. Staying up to par with current events in CPR and state guidelines is as easy as following these suggestions: 

• Join groups and organizations: Joining professional or amateur organizations in the field of emergency medicine or healthcare can provide access to all the latest research related to CPR practices. You can either join in-person groups or opt for online communities. 
• Attend refresher courses: Signing up for regular refresher courses helps keep your CPR skills sharp and exposes you to all the latest information regarding procedure changes or guidelines. A yearly refresher course is more than enough, while CPR certificates should be renewed every two years. 
• Monitor official websites: Official websites of organizations such as the American Heart Association and the American Red Cross and local sites like the Florida Department of Public Health are crucial sources of all prudent and up-to-date CPR information.

Conclusion

CPR certification is not mandatory for every resident of Florida, but specific guidelines show that the state would like to implement CPR regulations on a deeper level. Knowing what are the state CPR guidelines in Florida  is the first step towards ensuring you comply with them. 

The current CPR guidelines in Florida  requires high school students to receive CPR and AED classes as part of existing curriculums. Furthermore, they outline the job requirement guidelines for specific professions in the state. Relying on increased CPR awareness and preparedness is a clear step forward by the state, given the statistics on the occurrence of fatal cardiac emergencies and the number of uninsured residents. 

Getting certified online or in person is as easy as setting up a course at your earliest convenience. If you need CPR training and certification in Gainesville, Florida, contact us today!