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Which CPR classes are better, the ones from the American Red Cross or the American Heart Association?

I'm a nursing student and I need CPR certification. I don't know which classes are better, the ones from the Red Cross or the ones from the American Heart Association. The American Heart Association seems to be cheaper, but I don't know if they provide the textbooks or if you have to buy them, b/c it says it's only $35.00, and the red cross classes are like $60.00. I would appreciate your help in this regard. thanks!

Public Comments

1. well i took a lifeguarding class witht the red cross and we learned cpr in it and i thought they did a good job i still remember it and it has been a year and I've never used it

2. For people in the medical field, the AHA classes are considered more appropriate generally, while the ARC is more community-focused. There is not much difference in content- but with the price differences you are seeing you may accidentally be looking at two different kinds of classes.

It does not make a ton of difference, but the AHA classes are commonly taught by semi-independent instructors who have some flexibility in costs and such.

3. Neither certification is "better" than the other. It really depends on what you need the class for. Both certificates are now valid for two years, but AHA is more widely accepted overall than Red Cross certification by the healthcare profession. In addition, when choosing a class, you need to check whether the cost of books and/or supplies is included in the price. Every class is different. Finally, stay away from online CPR courses. They may save a little on price, and they're not worth much more than the paper they're printed on. Nothing beats hands-on training when saving a life!

4. It all depends on the area or potential employer. The big 3 AHA, American Red Cross and the American Safety and Health Institute all use the same set of standards which are developed jointly. The standards are set by the ECC or Emergency Cardiovascular Care Committee. On this committee all 3 organizations are represented. But to answer your question, in general AHA is the most widely recognized and accepted by Health care facilities.