What Are the State CPR Guidelines for Ohio?

What Are the State CPR Guidelines for Ohio?

Learning to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and being confident in doing so can save lives. With at least 350,000 people in the US suffering from cardiac arrest outside of a hospital yearly, a CPR certificate is becoming a necessity. The American Red Cross and American Heart Association (AHA) provide training that teaches people how to recognize and respond to such emergencies.

According to the CDC, heart diseases were the leading cause of death among the Ohio population in 2017. Because the mortality rate of a sudden cardiac arrest without proper care is high, a bystander’s CPR help can be extremely valuable. As a result, the importance of CPR training is reflected in legislation and policy.

The states in the US can regulate CPR requirements independently, and Ohio has established some CPR guidelines that citizens must follow.

So, what are the state CPR guidelines for Ohio? Continue reading to learn more about these guidelines and requirements.

Ohio CPR Guidelines for Schools

The state of Ohio began enforcing a law starting with the 2017/2018 academic year requiring high school graduates to learn CPR. The good news is that more and more states recognize that CPR is a valuable skill, so it should be mandatory for students to learn it before graduating.

Schools must provide training as part of their health programs. All public schools in Ohio need to teach their students to deliver CPR and how to use an automated external defibrillator (AED). Some school employees should also receive training for the use of an AED.

According to the Ohio Department of Education, all coaches must receive CPR certification. They also need to know how to provide rescue breathing, defibrillation, and mouth-to-mouth resuscitation.

Did you know that half of the US workers cannot pinpoint an AED at work? Thankfully, that is not the case with schools. First, each school district’s board of education can require the installation of an AED in each school, which will be under its control. All school personnel must receive training for using AED. Additionally, schools operated by a school district that serves grades 9-12 must train its staff on CPR/AED.

Jobs Requiring CPR Certification in Ohio

Many professions require CPR certification in the state of Ohio. For example, all healthcare providers and other medical professionals must be CPR certified. In addition, emergency medical services (EMS) in Ohio must also have CPR certification to work in the field. For these jobs, certification is not optional under any circumstances.

The certification determines which modules people take. For example, for daycare providers and first responders, CPR training is tailored to the specific job. The CPR courses are available for the general public and employees required to obtain certification to comply with OSHA regulations. CPR certification can be required by law, but it can also be the employer’s preference.

In any case, the CPR training must follow the AHA guidelines for CPR and ECC since the American Heart Association is the leader in training and resuscitation science. In addition, the courses must be provided by a nationally-accredited institution, like the American Red Cross or the AHA, or by an academic foundation certified to give the classes.

The following are some of the most common professions in Ohio that require a CPR certificate:

      • Childcare professionals

      • School staff

      • Pilots and flight attendants

      • Construction workers

      • Sports coaches and trainers

      • People working with the elderly and disabled

      • Lifeguards and swimming and diving instructors

      • Security personnel

      • Emergency personnel

      • All personnel in dentist and doctor’s offices

      • Home healthcare aids

      • Hotel and restaurant personnel.

    How to Obtain CPR Certification in Ohio?

    The American Heart Association and the American Red Cross authorize a number of training centers and instructors to offer classroom training and skills sessions. You can easily schedule training and view course options online. These health organizations will assist you in training in an effective manner so that you are always prepared for emergencies.

    A certified instructor leads the CPR courses, and they can be in a classroom, online, or hybrid learning course formats. And when it comes to training, it is critical to learn how to treat adults as opposed to children and infants.

    No matter how convenient online CPR classes are, we recommend courses in a classroom or blended format. Learning CPR in Ohio is simple if you enroll in an online course that offers study materials you can revise from home. However, it still doesn’t provide you with the possibility to get CPR certified exclusively online. So, you can obtain First Aid/CPR/AED certification, as well as Infant CPR certification only once you demonstrate your skills in front of an instructor.

    Showing our CPR skills can also be required for workplace safety certification. When it comes to the length of the courses, they will vary according to the learning method and components taught. In general, Red Cross courses last about two hours.

    You can print the digital certificate or get a physical CPR card after completing the CPR certification course and passing the exam. In most cases, your certificate will be valid for one and a half to two years.

    Recertification in Ohio

    It is necessary to renew your Ohio CPR/AED certification once it expires if you wish to keep working in a specific field. Of course, you can renew it by completing an online CPR recertification. However, some employers may require their employees to take a hands-on skills test, so they will need to make an appearance at a physical site location.

    Even though you are trained following the AHA guidelines by a certified instructor, keep in mind that if you do not use your skills, you can lose them. So, to prevent skill loss, find online refresher materials and revise the basic steps for performing CPR, which will assist you in retaining the knowledge you have gained.

    Do You Have to Perform CPR in Ohio?

    First responders, like firefighters, police officers, and those working for an organized ambulance service or rescue squad, have a duty to act and are obligated to help.

    In Ohio, as in most states, it is your choice whether or not to administer CPR if you’re just a bystander. However, keep in mind that every second counts in emergencies.

    As much as it is critical to act quickly, it is also crucial to give reasonable care. Try not to panic, and remember that while rescue breathing is required in some cases, such as when assisting a drowning victim, only chest compressions are needed to help someone experiencing cardiac arrest.

    Good Samaritan laws exist in every state to protect those who give voluntary medical care to someone in an emergency. This protection intends to encourage the general public to help others in need without fear of being sued as long as the care they give isn’t negligent.

    Wrapping Up

    According to America’s Health Rankings 2016 report, Ohio ranks 40th for overall health. Ohio has a low percentage of uninsured residents and a greater number of primary care physicians per capita than other US states.

    What are the state CPR guidelines for Ohio? The state of Ohio is becoming increasingly aware of how essential CPR certification is, which is why CPR training is mandatory for high schools and many professions in Ohio. So, those working as first responders, doctors, or other medical staff, as well as babysitters and elderly care providers, must be CPR certified to ensure they can help in an emergency.

    We advise you to find CPR certification courses in Ohio that meet OSHA job and workplace requirements, as well as other regulatory requirements. Knowing AED and CPR protocols enables medical professionals and laypeople to save lives. After all, you never know when your help will be needed most.