Why Security Guards Need CPR Training and Certification

Table of Contents:

• Introduction
• Common Emergencies Security Guards Might Face
• Why Should Security Guards Be CPR Certified?
• How to Get CPR Certified
• CPR Training for Different Settings
• Final Thoughts

Introduction

Security guards  are the everyday heroes who stand watch at malls, schools, offices, and events, ready to protect and keep us safe. They’re the first line of defense, always alert and ready to act when needed. Imagine you’re at the mall, and someone suddenly needs help because they’re going into a cardiac arrest. Who’s the first person likely to come to the rescue? Often, it’s a security guard! This is why security guards should be trained in CPR.

So, what is security guard CPR training? CPR is a life-saving skill used when someone’s heart stops beating, or they stop breathing. It involves chest compressions and sometimes mouth-to-mouth breathing. These actions help keep blood and oxygen flowing in the body until professional medical help arrives.

In this guide, let us go through what kinds of emergencies security guards might face, such as heart attacks, choking, and drowning. We’ll also discuss why CPR training is crucial for them and how it can help them stay calm and act quickly when it really matters. Whether in a busy mall, a quiet office, or a school, security guard CPR training ensures they are always ready to step in and make a difference.

Common Emergencies Security Guards Might Face

You might wonder, “Are security guards first responders?”. Yes, they are first responders to various emergencies. Hence, they should be prepared for a wide range of situations.

• Cardiac Arrest: A cardiac arrest can strike suddenly, causing a person to clutch their chest and collapse. In such cases, every second counts. Each year, around 700,000 people die due to SCA. A security guard trained in CPR can recognize the symptoms and immediately start chest compressions, helping to keep the person’s blood flowing until medical professionals arrive.
• Choking: Choking is another common emergency, especially in places where people eat, like malls or office buildings. If someone suddenly starts coughing or can’t breathe, a security guard must act quickly. Knowing how to perform the Heimlich maneuver can dislodge the object blocking the airway and save the person’s life.
• Drowning: In locations near pools, lakes, or other bodies of water, the risk of drowning is always present. Security guards working in these areas must be ready to jump into action if someone is struggling in the water. CPR, combined with rescue breathing, can be crucial in reviving a drowning victim and preventing brain damage.
• Drug Overdose: In some areas, drug overdoses are unfortunately common. Security guards may encounter individuals who have overdosed on drugs, leading to life-threatening situations. Quick recognition and the ability to perform CPR can buy critical time until emergency medical services arrive.
• Accidents: Slips, falls, and other accidents can happen anywhere, from a shopping mall to a construction site. These incidents can result in injuries that may require immediate medical attention. Security guards trained in CPR can assist those who are injured, especially if the accident causes unconsciousness or breathing difficulties.

Why Should Security Guards Be CPR Certified?

One might wonder, is being a security guard dangerous? While it does come with its challenges, security guards are trained to handle unpredictable situations, including emergencies. Knowing CPR not only helps them assist others but also ensures they can act swiftly and safely in high-pressure situations, reducing the overall risk to themselves and those around them.

Comprehensive Skill Set

Security guards with CPR training are better prepared to handle emergencies. This training equips them to act confidently and swiftly in critical situations, which can make a life-or-death difference. The benefits of having CPR skills include:

• Life-Saving Response: Knowing how to perform CPR enables security guards to respond immediately in cases of cardiac arrest, increasing the individual’s chances of survival until medical professionals arrive.
• Increased Confidence: Proper CPR training instills confidence in security guards, allowing them to act without hesitation during emergencies, which is crucial in high-stress situations.

Time and Cost Efficiency

Focusing on CPR certification offers significant benefits for security guards in terms of time and cost:

• Single Training Session: Dedicated CPR courses allow security guards to quickly gain the essential skills they need without the need for multiple training sessions.
• Cost-Effective: CPR courses are often affordable, making it easier for both security companies and individual guards to obtain this critical certification.
• Streamlined Certification: Completing a CPR course provides security guards with a recognized certification, ensuring their qualifications are up-to-date.

Workplace Safety and Compliance

Ensuring that security guards are trained in CPR helps foster a culture of safety within any organization. This training is essential because:

• Meeting Regulatory Requirements: Many regulations require employers to provide CPR training to their employees, including security guards. CPR certification ensures that companies comply with occupational safety standards.
• Enhanced Workplace Safety: Trained security guards can act swiftly in emergencies, reducing the risk of severe injury or death and contributing to a safer work environment.
• Emergency Preparedness Plans: Organizations with CPR-certified security guards are better equipped to handle emergencies, ensuring a prompt and effective response when needed.

Increased Survival Rates

The survival of individuals during emergencies often hinges on the quick actions of first responders. For security guards, CPR training is crucial in providing timely intervention:

• Immediate Action: In cases of cardiac arrest, performing CPR immediately can double or even triple the chances of survival. Security guards trained to use an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) can further increase survival rates.
• Prevention of Complications: Performing CPR as soon as possible can prevent further complications, such as brain damage due to lack of oxygen.
• Community Impact: CPR-trained security guards contribute to a safer community by effectively responding to emergencies, benefiting everyone in the area they protect.

Personal and Professional Development

CPR training offers security guards valuable skills that enhance both their personal and professional lives. The benefits include:

• Lifelong Skill: CPR is a skill that security guards can use throughout their lives, both in their jobs and personal situations.
• Career Advancement: CPR certification is a valuable addition to a security guard’s qualifications, potentially leading to better job opportunities and higher pay.
• Empowerment: Knowing how to save a life empowers security guards, leading to greater job satisfaction and a sense of accomplishment.

Psychological Benefits

The psychological benefits of CPR training extend beyond practical advantages for security guards:

• Reduced Anxiety: Security guards trained in CPR are less likely to feel fear or anxiety in emergencies.
• Sense of Responsibility: CPR training instills a strong sense of responsibility toward others, strengthening their role as protectors.
• Resilience Building: Facing and overcoming emergencies builds personal resilience, making CPR-trained security guards more effective in their roles.

Read More: 10 Reasons why you should learn CPR

How to Get CPR Certified

For those aspiring to become security guards, the unarmed security guard practice test is a crucial step in the certification process. While this test typically focuses on the basics of security protocols, understanding CPR is increasingly becoming a vital component. Here’s how you can become CPR-certified:

1. Find a Certified Training Provider

Look for reputable organizations that offer CPR certification courses. They offer classes in various formats, including in-person, online, and blended learning (a combination of online and in-person sessions). You can find these courses through local community centers, hospitals, or online platforms.

2. Enroll in a CPR Course

Once you’ve found a provider, sign up for a CPR course that suits your needs. Courses typically cover basic CPR techniques, how to use an Automated External Defibrillator (AED), and how to respond to choking emergencies. Some classes might also include first aid training. The courses usually last a few hours, but the length can vary depending on the provider and course type.

3. Participate in Hands-On Training

In-person or blended classes include hands-on training, where you practice CPR on manikins. This practical experience is essential, as it helps you understand the correct techniques for chest compressions, rescue breathing, and AED use. Instructors will guide you through each step, ensuring you perform the procedures correctly.

4. Pass the Assessment

After completing the course, you’ll need to pass an assessment, which may include a written test and a practical demonstration of CPR skills. Successfully passing these tests earns you a certification card, valid for a specific period, usually two years.

5. Renew Your Certification

CPR techniques can change over time, so it’s important to renew your certification every two years. This ensures you stay up-to-date with the latest guidelines and continue to be confident in your life-saving skills.

Read More: Online CPR Certification: Is It Right for You? A Comprehensive Guide for Busy Professionals 

CPR Training for Different Settings

CPR training is not a one-size-fits-all solution, especially for security guards who work in diverse environments. The types of emergencies they may encounter can vary greatly depending on their workplace, so their CPR training needs to be tailored to specific risks.

• Office Buildings: In office settings, security guards are often the first responders to medical emergencies like heart attacks or choking incidents. Employees might experience stress-related conditions, or someone could suddenly collapse at their desk. Security guards must be trained to recognize these signs quickly and perform CPR or the Heimlich maneuver to save lives.
• Shopping Malls: Malls are bustling environments with a mix of adults, children, and elderly visitors. Security guards here must be prepared for a wide range of emergencies, from heart attacks to falls or electric shocks, and even incidents involving children who might choke or have allergic reactions. Being trained in both CPR and basic first aid equips them to handle the diverse medical issues that can arise in a public space.
• Schools: In schools, security guards need to be ready for emergencies involving both children and adults. Children are more prone to accidents, choking, and asthma attacks, while adults may face heart-related issues. Specialized training helps guards manage these age-specific emergencies, ensuring the safety of students and staff alike.
• Events and Concerts: Due to large crowds, fainting, heart attacks, and dehydration can occur at events and concerts. Security guards in these settings must be adept at performing CPR in chaotic environments, often with limited space and resources. Their training should also include crowd management techniques to ensure that they can quickly reach and assist those in need.

Final Thoughts

CPR training is more than just a skill; it’s a life-saving tool that every security guard should have. Whether it’s a heart attack in a busy mall, a choking incident in a school, or an emergency at a concert, knowing CPR can make all the difference. Security guard CPR training ensures they are not just protecting property or maintaining order—they’re also prepared to step in and save lives when it matters most.

CPR is a skill that helps you act quickly and confidently in emergencies. And the best part? Anyone can learn it! So, if you’re a security guard or thinking of becoming one, getting CPR certified is a must. Look for a CPR class nearby and get your training as soon as possible. By learning CPR, you’re giving yourself the power to save a person’s life when it matters most.