The state of Alabama recognizes the importance of Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and AED. It has implemented mandatory CPR training in schools since 1983 to facilitate the number of trained students. They utilized the materials provided by the American Heart Association (AHA) and followed the examples of certified CPR instructors.
Despite the efforts, the number of cardiac arrests is notably high. The findings of a research study conducted by two prestigious institutions state that the number of cardiac arrests rises to a degree almost impossible to handle. Therefore, reinforcing the law for CPR was crucial in Alabama.
This article elaborates more about the CPR state guidelines and what you need to know about CPR certification in Alabama.
General CPR State Guidelines in Alabama
Before we elaborate further on the state guidelines in Alabama, we should briefly skim the CPR mandatory regulations.
Firstly, Alabama fosters the Good Samaritan Law. This law protects all civil and non-medical staff who provide first aid and CPR to casualties of cardiac arrests, even when the attempt fails. However, to deliver CPR, they have to follow the 4 main components of the Good Samaritan Law:
- Act in good faith;
- Make rational choices;
- The casualty is in severe danger;
- The victim does not object to the help.
Alabama is not an OSHA-approved state which means the workers are not obliged to have CPR certificates that meet OSHA’s working regulations and conditions. However, despite the differences in the state’s CPR regulations, many job positions do require employees to have CPR skills.
What Jobs Require CPR in Alabama?
Alabama is considerate of the CPR skills’ relevance and integrates the regulations in various fields and industries. Despite the expected fields to own CPR and AED skills like first responders, medical staff, or emergency staff, which we will discuss in more detail later, here is a list of all jobs that require CPR certification and skills in Alabama.
- Diving coaches: This includes rowing trainers and all aquatic coaches involved with guiding students in water activities.
- Child care: Nannies, daycare workers, teachers, babysitters, and every other professional involved in working with children;
- Youth or school athletic coaches: Any coach, personal, fitness, sport-oriented, volunteer, etc., involved in training under a public school in Alabama must have CPR skills and valid CPR certification from a reliable CPR provider.
- Educational workers: Every person working in schools or universities or is in any way in contact with students as part of their job is obliged to own a CPR certification.
- Construction workers: This field involves all construction, manufacturing, logistics, or any other field where a worker is exposed to danger and must have a CPR certification.
- Social workers: All social workers, whether in-house or in-facility guardians, must have a CPR (and AED) certificate. The same applies to the medical staff working with the elderly.
- Health care workers: Doctors, dentists, nurses, or any other member of the medical industry, including those with administrative work within this industry.
- First responders: This includes the workers in emergencies, such as firemen, police, or correctional officers who may find themselves in stressful situations.
If you hold one of the above positions, you know CPR certificates and skills are part of the working policy. Below we’ll go through the prominent industries that must have a CPR requirement and everything you need to know.
Medical Staff and CPR Regulations
The Alabama health industry workers must be skilled in CPR, AED, and first aid. This also includes knowledge of mouth-to-mouth resuscitation, chest compressions, rescue breathing, and defibrillation.
Medical workers must know how to provide help in case of an accident before the ambulance arrives. Additionally, they must know how to hand over the subject to the ambulance to increase the survival chances.
Moreover, administrative workers within the medical industry must also have a CPR certificate.
Assisted Living Facility Staff Members and CPR Obligations
Living facilities are affected by the CPR Alabama law. To summarize the law, every assisted living facility must have one or more people with a valid CPR certificate approved by the American Heart Association or the American Red Cross.
Additionally, every living facility that owns an automated external defibrillator (AED) must always have at least one person with certification for the proper use of AED, approved by the AHA or the American Red Cross. The Department of Public Health can approve substitute training for emergency medical services (EMS) personnel, which verifies their skills and allows them to utilize the AED..
School Personnel and CPR Regulations
As mentioned in the introduction, Alabama integrates CPR into the school system by law. In other words:
- All schools in Alabama must teach their students CPR.
- Medical students attending public schools must know how to provide CPR.
- Every student must pass the theoretical component of the CPR training, whereas the practice is optional.
- The material used for CPR must be trustworthy and reliable, as suggested by the American Heart Association or the American Red Cross.
- A certified instructor or trainer must conduct the training.
Ever since 1983, all public schools in Alabama have followed the above-listed rules. Despite the teachers and the educational staff, coaches are also obliged to follow the rules.
CPR Training for Coaches in Alabama
Part of the educational CPR regulation in Alabama falls under the AHSAA Coaches Educational Program, which requires all coaches to have an active CPR certificate and AED training.
Although sports are often referred to or related to a healthy life, a recent study shows that athletes and competitive sportspeople are prone to cardiac arrest. In relatively high numbers, they end up fatally, and courts are often places where CPR can save lives.
To reduce the odds of fatal consequences or any impairments that might change the life of athletes entirely, Alabama passed a law that legally binds all coaches to be skilled in providing CPR and first aid to student-athletes.
Nevertheless, different regulations come for different types of coaches.
Non-Faculty Coaches
Before beginning a training program with a student-athlete, every coach must meet the state regulation policy regarding the safety of the students. In other words, non-faculty coaches must:
- Own a coaching card (earned with specific qualifications in the field);
- Have active CPR and AED certification;
- Completed NFHS Sportsmanship Course;
- Completed Heat Illness Prevention course;
- Completed concussion course;
- Completed sudden cardiac arrest course.
Non-faculty coaches must take care that their CPR and AED certificates are active. At the same time, they must complete the courses in coaching principles and sports first aid before interacting with student-athletes.
First-Time Coaches
First-time coaches must follow all requirements as presented for the non-faculty coaches. They must complete courses in coaching principles and sports first aid, including getting CPR and AED certifications.
The Alabama High School Athletic Association offers various easements for new coaches, including taking free courses for specific sports and other benefits. Every coach must meet the same regulations and requirements before training begins.
It’s worth noting that all certificates acquired online must be checked by the State Office. Otherwise, the coaches must take another course to verify their skills and knowledge.
Key Takeaways
Alabama is one of the states that foster the Good Samaritan Law. This law is immunity against lawsuits for failed CPR. However, the bystander providing the CPR must react in goodwill and make rational choices while delivering CPR.
The main industries that require CPR are:
- Health Care Industry
- Educational System
- First Care Responders
- Social Workers
Every person working within the frames of the abovementioned industries must own a valid and active CPR certificate from a reliable and trustworthy CPR training center.