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CPR & First aid certification...?

Did you get certified in 1st Aid and CPR before the birth of your child?

I definitely recommend it now if not. I got certified, coincidentally, while I was at Academy to be a police dispatcher when I was about 4 months pregnant.

I have to be honest that I kind of forgot everything lol but I had to get re-certified this week and it's amazing the things you wish you knew! I made my husband come to work and take it wish us and he's pretty glad he did. He didn't even have the slightest clue how to perform basic life-saving functions on our daughter if she ever needed it.
'WITH' us, not 'wish' us hehe.

Public Comments

1. I just had my renewal last Saturday (I work in security for a big plant)...and I am actually glad that I know it you never know when you might need to use it.

2. No, but I really should have and should BE.

I was certified in both while working(worked in day cares) but it's since been "expired" and I just really haven't looked hard enough for classes for both.

3. Excellent question. I have been kicking myself that I haven't taken an infant CPR class. I really need to get on that.

I have been a lifeguard in the past, and was CPR certified, but that was a long time ago!

4. I was already certified in it (i was an EMT for years) but I second that.. everyone should learn how to do it whether you actually get certified or not... have someone teach you how to do it... remember, the life you save could be "your" child's!

5. I had been regularly until I started having children. I haven't had time since because the classes have always been at an inconvenient time and not offered frequently in my community. I have kept up to date on everything though.

A tip for parents: only hire a baby sitter certified in infant & child CPR & first aid. If you use a daycare center, make certain to ask if staff is certified.

6. Mine is always current :-) and I always have my Red Cross infant book on hand and a first aid kit!

7. I am a certified life guard, and I'm 16. I have all my first aid, and I'm glad I have it. My biggest pet peeve is that when I first get babysitting for a family, they ask if I took the babysitter course (the one day course) that "certifies" you for first aid. Then, becuase I don't have it, they don't hire me, even though I have been doing first aid and all that jazz for close to ten years (basic mouth to mouth when I was in swimming lessons at 6, then more advanced first aid as I got on...). It makes me wonder, you'd trust someone who has had ONE DAY "experience" and "training" to do all those things, rather than someone who is a FULLY qualified lifeguard, and has been doing first aid training since she was six?! I definitely think it's a great idea to have some training in the area of child first aid, becuase not only can you save your child's life, you also have that reassurance that if something does go wrong, you know what to do, or at least how to help out. I will definitely keep on training and such, but it does come in handy! Already I've saved one child from choking when I was babysitting, and helped out countless children when they have minor injuries. I've also taught many children to swim, and also helped prevent accidents (like spotting within moments of entering my new church nursery that they didn't have child proof electrical outlets...imagine all the children that love to stick their fingers in those! We moved the couch in front of the outlet, but have yet to buy plastic inserts for the rest. Until then, unmovable furniture is in front of the other two outlets). DO IT! Honestly, getting first aid training in anything will give you peace of mind, and help out more than anything!

8. I've had mine for a while now and my first is due in 2 weeks!
my first employer actually required that all staff have these qualifications and I felt it was a good idea to keep them current as we have a large unfenced body of water on our property where local children like to play

9. actually i am bc i am a nurse, but i also think every parent should be current on cpr..child/ infant/adult, as well as the heimlich maneuver for all and first aid......jmho

10. If anyone is in the Denver area and needs/wants to be certified, let me know. I am an American Red Cross lifeguard instructor and certified to teach all levels of CPR/AED and First Aid. I am also a certified swim instructor and was previously an EMT.