First aid is the immediate and temporary aid provided to a sick or injured person until medical treatment can be provided. It generally consists of series of simple, life-saving medical techniques that a non-doctor or lay person can be trained to perform with minimal equipment.

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is an emergency procedure that combines chest compressions often with artificial ventilation in an effort to manually preserve intact brain function until further measures are taken to restore spontaneous blood circulation and breathing in a person who is in cardiac arrest.

Automated External Defibrillator (AED) is the temporary aid provided with the help of an electronic device to a sick or injured person until medical treatment can be provided. It generally consists of series of simple, life-saving medical techniques that a non-doctor or lay person can be trained to perform with minimal equipment.

FIRST AID, CPR and AED training consists of two different life-saving methods. CPR involves chest compressions and rescue breathing to sustain a victim until help arrives. An AED is an automated external defibrillator: This device sends an electric shock to a victim to restore a heartbeat. If a victim’s heart stops beating, seconds are precious. Optimally, CPR or AED use should begin within three to five minutes of the person’s collapse. Emergency personnel won’t make it to the victim within this time, which is why trained bystanders are so important for saving lives.

Situations may arise when you come across someone whose breathing or heart has stopped. Immediate action with CPR is the most effective way to save that individual, as an ambulance may not arrive for minutes. Providing CPR could mean the difference between life and death for someone who's unconscious.

Knowing CPR can give you an advantage in your job. Many jobs, and specially that of a Fitness Professional require CPR certification, and others look favourably upon it. If you have CPR certification when you're applying for jobs such as personal trainer, group exercise instructor, yoga and pilates teacher, you may have an edge over other applicants.

Secure a reputable training resource and offer training to everyone at your facility. This may encourage employees to play a bigger part in creating a safer workplace environment.

The heart will not permit adequate circulation after sudden cardiac arrest, even if CPR is performed. Using an AED immediately after sudden cardiac arrest can increase the chance of survival by more than 90%. The survival rate is reduced by approximately 10% for each minute that defibrillation is delayed.

The combination of FIRST AID, CPR and AED use can literally bring a person back to life.

As a Fitness Professional, to prepare yourself to respond and provide urgent care in an emergency, you will need FIRST AID, CPR and AED training.