CPR/AED for the Professional Rescuer Update

The Preparedness department and Health and Safety Services have conducted a review of the validity length of the CPR/AED for the Professional Rescuer (CPR/AED-PR) certification based on requests from American Red Cross (ARC) chapters. All CPR certifications were considered and it was determined that the change to a two-year CPR certificate validity period would be appropriate for professional rescuers other than lifeguards.

Professional rescuers other than lifeguards are in a position to use CPR/AED skills on a regulare basis due to job responsibilities. The American Red Cross Advisory Counceil on First Aid, Aquatics, Safety and Preparedness (ACFASP) review of the scientific literature indicates formal retraining can be changed to a biennial occurrence for some rescuers. The review has indicated that skill and knowledge retention can be accomplished through a variety of methods including skill performance, retraining and skills refreshers.

Lifeguards are excluded from the two-year certification due to the predominantly seasonal nature of their work. In addition, the American Red Cross Aquatic Examiner Service supports an annual training standard. Therefore the certificate issued for lifeguards will be valid for one year.

The American Red Cross has announced the following changes to the certificates and validity periods for CPR/AED-PR course:

• Certificates issued in a CPR/AED-PR course will now be valid for two-years (except for lifeguards). The certificate issued for this course will have a new title:

CPR/AED for the Professional Rescuer and Healthcare Provider

• Certificates issued in a CPR/AED-PR course for lifeguards will be valid for one year. The certificate issued to the lifeguards will have the new title:

CPR/AED for Lifeguards

This change may be implemented immediately by ARC chapters and ARC - Authorized Providers (AP); however, this change will take effect on 1 Jan 2009.

Following both scientific literature and OSHA recommendatoins, the ARC continues to strongly encourage all professional rescuers to retrain in CPR/AED annually and to refresh their skills at least every six months. The maintenance of skills and knowledge is achieved by a combination of course work including retraining, skills refreshers and application of these skills.

If you have questions, contact me or the local chapter of the American Red Cross.