Real vs. Fake CPR Certifications
And how to tell the difference!
What You Need to Know for CPR and First Aid Training
We live in a world where online training is more accessible than ever; while that’s opened the door for people to learn a whole world of skills, it also means there are certifications out there for some skills that are less than legitimate.
When it comes to life-saving skills like CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) and First Aid, holding a legitimate certification is crucial. If you’re in a role where you are responsible for the health of others, you need to have a recognized certification that proves you have the skills to save lives.
Unfortunately, not all certifications are created equal. We want to ensure you can discern between the two, so you don’t waste your time and money on a fake certification. Read on to learn what you should look for in a legitimate certification, and the red flags of a fake one.
What’s the difference between a legitimate certification and a fake one?
A fake certification may not look like you expect it to – it may look like it’s accepted by a range of regulatory bodies, schools, or organizations, not a straight-up scam (though they are out there, too). These certifications are fake because they aren’t legitimized by the regulatory bodies that matter. They may be “certified” by the provider you do them through, or an organization that certifies a large array of online courses.
When it comes to AED & CPR training certifications, there are a small number of regulatory bodies that matter: the American Heart Association (AHA), the American Red Cross, and the National Safety Council.
These organizations adhere to rigorous standards and frequently update their training protocols based on the latest scientific research. When you earn a certification from one of these bodies, you can be confident that you are well-prepared to handle a variety of emergency scenarios.
Why do I need a legitimate CPR certification?
“Fake” certifications doesn’t necessarily mean that it’s a scam – there’s likely a course that does teach some real world first aid or CPR skills. The reason you need a legitimate certification, and not just any certificate, are:
Employers Need Them
If you want to get a job in a sector that requires first aid training, they will not accept a first aid or CPR certificate from just any course provider.
You’re risking people’s health and wellbeing
Many fake certifications do not, and cannot, prepare you for real-world emergencies. No online-only course is ever going to be able to teach you essential hands-on AED and CPR skills. When you take a quick online course to learn these skills, they leave you painfully unequipped for a real life-and-death situation.
Potential legal consequences
Having a certification that’s not up to standard could leave you vulnerable to legal consequences. If you are in a position that requires an up-to-date certification from an approved regulatory body, and you don’t have one, you could face the consequences if something goes wrong.
How to Spot a Fake Certification
Identifying a fake certification can be tricky. As we touched on above, they may beoffered by legitimate online course providers, or even in-person training providers, with real first-aid information within them. The number one thing you need to do is check the accrediting body.
Organizations like the AHA, American Red Cross, and National Safety Council are widely recognized and trusted. If you are unfamiliar with the accrediting body, do some research to verify its legitimacy. Are they a standard widely accepted by employers or organizations? If not, you know that the certification you’re looking at won’t help you.
Secondly, consider how the course delivers the training. Is it all online? When it comes to CPR certifications, there should always be an in-person portion of the course to give you essential hands-on training where a qualified instructor can show you how to do CPR correctly, and ensure you understand what giving successful CPR should feel like.
Finally, consider the cost. The good news is AED, CPR, and First Aid training
courses aren’t usually prohibitively expensive – but their cost should reflect the
amount of effort going into hosting the training and the work that has gone into
preparing the course and certification. There are a lot of online courses that are very low cost and will instantaneously deliver you a certificate at the click of a button – whether or not you’ve actually done the course. While cost certainly isn’t the only thing you should consi der when deciding if a course is legitimate, it should be something you are aware of. If it feels too good to be true, it probably is.
How to Choose the Right Training Provider
Your training provider should be local to you for the majority of certifications, so you can attend an in-person portion of the training. They should be an organization with highly-trained staff offering courses accredited by a regulatory body like those we talked about above. Any legitimate training provider will be listed as a licensed or authorized provider by one of these bodies.
At Miami First Aid, we are dedicated to providing high-quality, accredited CPR and First Aid training in the Miami area. Our courses are certified by the American Heart Association and the American Red Cross, ensuring that your certification is recognized and respected.
We offer a range of training options, including all in-person training, combined online and in-person training, and group training for organizations. Our experienced instructors have years of experience not only in training CPR but working in the field as paramedics, firefighters, nurses, and other first responders. Their experience ensures you get hands-on training that equips you with the real skills and confidence to act in an emergency.
Train with Miami First Aid
Don’t risk your credibility or the safety of your community with a fake certification. Choose a training provider you can trust. To learn more about our courses or schedule your First Aid training in Miami, see our Class Schedule for our upcoming classes. With Miami First Aid, you can rest assured knowing that your certification is properly accredited and your training will prepare you for real life-and-death situations.
