The Importance of Security Guards Being CPR Trained

The newspaper headlines and even social media would showcase news flash on heroic security guards. The role of a security officer is a huge influence to a lot of people especially for those who would want to be one. Becoming a security guard requires specialized training and certifications.

Security guards in the United States are required to attend an 8-hour pre-assignment training course in order to qualify for a Security Guard Registration Card. This is then followed by completing a 16-hour on-the-job training for security guards. Yearly, they are also required to attend refresher courses like the In-Service Training Course for Security Guards.

One of the most important certifications that can make a security officer stand out amongst roster of other security officers is a CPR certification. Many professions now require CPR certifications to be considered for employment. This is an extra layer of qualification that will make an employer nod to your application faster than everyone else’s. If you have worked as a private and public security guard for a long time, you would often experience individuals who would suddenly suffer from a cardiac arrest.

Whether you work in a shopping mall, company, private home, or any public space, you need to be prepared to handle health emergencies. A security guard should know how to respond specifically in medical emergencies like this in which time is a critical matter because every second counts when responding to heart attacks.

Rising up to the occasion especially if it’s a life and death scenario needs the proper equipment and training. A CPR-certified security guard will be ready and able to respond anytime and anywhere. Any first-aid emergencies that may involve violence or accidents need the assistance of a CPR-certified security officer. The first responders to the emergency situations are mostly security guards. Before any patient is handled by the paramedics or police officers, the security guard is in position to respond first at all times or when the need arises.

Evidently, a security guard who had training with CPR can respond to medical emergencies even when they are off-duty. This happened in the case of Mike Garrigues who is a newly hired security guard at Moorestown Mall in New Jersey. He has just recently completed a CPR course as required by company. It was indeed timely because Garrigues was able to save the life of a 3-year-old boy whom he found lying face-down along the beach.

A security guard is efficient in multitasking and in shuffling different hats. They act as a deterrent to crime, assist people, securing locations and property, and responding to emergency situations; among others. Professionalism and commitment is manifested when a security guard is determined to upgrade his skillset with or without being required by employer.

Having CPR training in addition to other certifications help boost the confidence of security guard in responding to emergencies or whenever life is in danger. Security guards should pursue further education and training. Security companies should also have this as a requirement and a part of the budget when hiring security officers to ensure that their staffs are able to provide the best services in terms of security.

There are free and company-paid CPR and first aid training services available for security guards. You will also be issued a certification and wallet card to show that you have passed the training for CPR and first aid. Some emergency situations that would need first aid or CPR would include injury, choking, heart attack, bleeding, and other accidents or even violent attacks of criminals.

The first thing that security guards must do in times of medical emergencies is to call 911 and while the paramedics are on their way, you can now perform first aid or CPR on the victim. Rather than looking for medical personnel on the crowd or within the vicinity of the medical emergency, a CPR-certified security guard can immediately respond and resuscitate the victim right away.

First aid training is also important as well as Automated External Defibrillator (AED) training in responding when someone is in distress. You have to understand that an unresponsive victim or someone who is having a heart attack only has around 5 to 6 minutes to be revived in order to prevent brain damage. A security guard on duty must respond immediately whenever these types of situations arise.

Make sure that the training is done in line with the standards of the American Health Association. Security guards may not be a part of the medical profession but they are the first line of defense and even protection for the public they serve. It is therefore crucial and a must for security guards to undergo CPR, AED, American Red Cross, and first aid training courses plus certification to be better equipped and knowledgeable about handling emergency scenarios that could happen out of the blue.

Annual trainings as well as additional or elective courses may be provided by the Security Company or employer to empower security guards in doing their jobs with more confidence and relevance to the needs of the society. Refresher trainings on specific courses must also be provided to upgrade and further develop competencies. CPR trainings are mandatory yet may be elective in some companies but it is regarded as very important and a necessity because security guards are out to protect and safeguard lives, limb, and property of civilians in any form of violence, incidents, or accidents that may occur without warning.

Knowing how to administer CPR is a life skill that everyone should master; especially security guards who are in public service. In any situation, risks are inevitable and security guards must always be up and ready for it. Emergency situations need security guards who are ready to respond even with no instructions at hand. You have to memorize the basics of first aid and CPR. Knowing and understanding CPR and how to administer the right way will help you save lives.

Proper CPR training is vital to security guards and helps them respond quickly and efficiently. While this skill might be overlooked at times, a lot of security companies and employers are investing on trainings associated with handling medical emergencies to keep employees and customers safe at all times.