by Elizabeth Linden

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February is American Heart Month, and as we all know, Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) is a life-saving skill that can make the difference between life and death in cases of cardiac emergency. While traditional CPR classes involve hands-on practice and instruction by certified instructors, the internet has made it possible to learn CPR through free online courses.

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Although the courses below are free, any type of certificate they offer is not. However, you do not need a certificate to perform CPR. The Good Samaritan Law also protects individuals from being sued if they step in to help. In addition, chest compressions can still be life-saving if you do not feel confident performing mouth-to-mouth resuscitation for whatever reason. 

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If you want to learn CPR and don’t have the time or resources to attend in-person classes, here are four online resources that offer free CPR courses:

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American CPR Care Association offers an online CPR and choking course at no cost. Their course covers how to perform CPR and lifesaving measures for choking people of all ages. The website provides detailed written instructions and great video support using high-quality manikins that show the breastbone when performing chest compressions. The videos also display the responder and manikin on a random street (rather than on a mat). Among other things, the videos do a very nice job showing hand placements and pacing for chest compressions. While there is no free test at the end, there is a pay-if-you-pass option. The current cost for certification is currently $14.95.

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AED CPR offers an all-in-one CPR/AED/First-Aid Class. This online course may be a bit more thorough than the one offered by the American CPR Care Association in written content. The online test is rather challenging as well, which some may like. The graphics and video support are also excellent, although the manikins are not as lifelike as those shown on the American CPR Care Association website. However, the website demonstrates how to respond at all steps in a crisis situation. You will need to scroll down the page to see where you can take the class for free. Certification costs $14.95. Presently, the active website for the course is https://www.aedcpr.com/online-cpr-aed-class.php

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The National CPR Foundation offers a great online class with detailed information, high-quality images, and videos with quality manikins that show how to administer CPR to adults, children and infants. It offers an online test as well. You can view your test results and even see the questions you missed. If you wish to print a certificate, the current cost is $12.95.

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ECPR offers an online CPR course supported with video content as well. The website includes short video tutorials, detailed instructions, and a short quiz at the end. Although there are videos on how to do chest compressions, they seem to use the same, basic manikin throughout all the video demonstrations. The breastbone is somewhat difficult to see on this manikin and the camera angle could be better at showing how to interlace your hands. The website offers a free test to check your understanding, and you can view your results for no cost. If you want a certificate, the current charge is $30.79. 

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Given that all these websites are free to use, all are worth viewing given their accuracy and amount of detail they provide in order to obtain this life-saving skill.