If you plan to be a summer camp counselor this summer, you will likely want to update your CPR certification. A recent certification will not only get you a bonus at most summer camps, but it will also help you prepare for emergency situations while you are at summer camp. An emergency situation at a summer camp may be slightly different than one in a city setting. Although the entirety of your CPR class will be important, there are a few details that you should make sure to pay close attention to and ask detailed questions about. 

Assessing the Situation

As a camp counselor, you may be in a more remote setting than other individuals who have to use CPR. You will also be in charge of several children. It is important that you are prepared to keep your kids safe and calm while performing CPR. You may want to ask for tips on engaging children in the process and keeping them safe if they are with you and you do not have enough staff to take them away from the scene. You may also want to ask questions about being left alone with the victim or having other children left with you and the victim. 

Calling for Help 

Before you begin CPR, you should make sure that you have sent someone to call for help. At a summer camp, this can be done on a camp radio or may have to be done in person. You should be able to assess who you can send to call for help. For example, should you trust a young camper to go for help or should you send your only other camp counselor? Let your instructor know that you will be a camp counselor so they can include some camp scenarios in their instruction. 

Partner CPR

CPR is usually continued for a brief period of time. However, at a summer camp it might take longer for emergency personnel to arrive. For this reason, you should feel comfortable performing CPR with a partner. You should know how to give cues to switch off and how to smoothly transition between two rescuers. 

Hopefully you will never have to use your CPR training in a camp setting. However, it is important that you know how to apply your skills in a wilderness setting. You may want to invest in a more advanced first aide class, such as a wilderness class, but even if you only take an introductory CPR class, you should make sure you know how to apply what you have learned while you are at summer camp. For more information, contact services like American Heart Association - AED $40 CPR LLC - Certification Training Classes.