What is a CPR Renewal Class?

As part of CPR — cardiopulmonary resuscitation — training, the person receiving the training must take part in a CPR renewal class every few years. This class is intended to keep the student up to date about new techniques and changes to the process of CPR. CPR is a technique that is used on people whose hearts have stopped beating as a means of restarting the heart as well as breathing. It is a lifesaving measure, and its success depends on the person administering CPR properly. CPR renewal ensures that the person administering the CPR knows the proper techniques that will be most effective at resuscitating the victim and preventing compounding the person's injuries.

A CPR renewal class will cover the same topics as the original CPR class, but in far less time since the students should already have basic knowledge of CPR techniques. The original CPR class might take up to six or eight hours of instruction and practice, while the CPR renewal class usually only takes about two hours. The class may run a bit longer if the current CPR techniques have changed since the last time the students attended a class, but usually the class does not last too much longer.

During the class, students will discuss the proper techniques involved in CPR as well as the science behind the techniques. Students will also practice current CPR techniques on practice dummies designed for CPR classes. Students are often paired off to work together for practice, and a CPR instructor will monitor student progress throughout the class. Once practice and discussion has taken place, students often have to take a short quiz or test that shows they have retained the knowledge they learned in class. If the students pass the test and have satisfactorily participated in the CPR renewal class, they will receive a card that certifies that student to perform CPR for another one to two years.

Many professionals are required to become CPR certified and to participate in CPR renewal courses regularly. Health care professionals, child care professionals, and respite care providers are common participants in CPR renewal courses, though anyone with an interest in the subject can take part in classes. Fees for such classes are usually fairly low, and the fees cover the materials used in the class as well. The reading materials are for the students to keep so they can refer back to the current CPR techniques at any time.