Whether you first got CPR training before going into business or learned it as part of an extracurricular like coaching children’s sports, you may believe these first aid skills have little impact on your work as a restauranteur or hotelier. After all, you’re in the business of serving up smiles, not performing first aid; you may believe that you have no obligation to your patrons, or that it’s more important to work on your hosting and culinary techniques.
However, there are complicated legal and business aspects to consider when it comes to getting a CPR renewal, which you need to take seriously to protect your business and yourself. For example, you’re considered to have a duty of care to patrons if you’re in the hotel business, which was made abundantly clear during the Covid-19 pandemic and the strenuous sanitation measures that businesses were expected to perform. As an employer, you’re also obligated to care for your employees should they have a medical emergency, such as keeping an AED machine in the kitchen and ensuring you have a well-stocked medical kit.
Whether you’re growing a restaurant in Toronto or running a comfortable B&B in Georgia, you need to be aware of your responsibilities and seek to provide a safe environment for all who enter your place of business, including guests and staff.
This means pursuing CPR certification renewal, which you can access online through a qualified provider that offers lessons by experienced instructors.
Life-Threatening Illnesses Are Common – And They May Happen in Your Establishment
Basic life-saving first aid is important for everyone, but it is especially so for those who interact with the public on a regular basis, including those who open their doors to invite guests from all walks of life into their business. This is because a huge percentage of the population suffers from one or more diseases that can result in a life-threatening emergency.
Firstly, approximately 82.6 million Americans suffer from some form of cardiovascular disease, whether that is an inherited condition like hypertrophic cardiomyopathy or heart disease due to high cholesterol. As one ages, the risks of heart disease rise, and, of course, you are likely to get individuals of all ages in your establishment, whether young or old. At first glance, it’s not always obvious who may have such an illness, especially as some cardiovascular conditions are genetic and unassociated with excess weight or lifestyle choices.
Strokes are also an incredibly common emergency, and they have unfortunately been on the rise since the Covid-19 pandemic. Temple Health recently reported on the frightening reality that, thanks to vascular issues caused by the coronavirus, individuals younger than 50 are experiencing strokes with greater regularity. These attacks may be brushed off as irrelevant to those who don’t know the signs, and CPR renewal will also help you identify the possibility of stroke and help the individual get immediate treatment.
More significant to restaurants, choking is a common risk factor that must be quickly rectified by applying the Heimlich maneuver. You may believe that you know it thanks to widespread knowledge through media, but it necessitates a specific amount of force and hand placement; otherwise, you will hurt the person more.
Any medical emergency on your premises must be taken seriously, as failure to intervene can open you up to lawsuits and a tarnished reputation. One of the best ways to protect yourself from these consequences is to renew your CPR certification – fortunately, it has never been easier to do so.
Online CPR Renewal Is Convenient, Affordable, and Practical
You have many responsibilities as a hospitality entrepreneur, and it can be difficult to make time for even the most essential obligations, whether that is training staff or meeting with vendors to negotiate better prices. This can make scheduling time for an in-person CPR class insurmountable, especially as they are often at incredibly inconvenient times for working professionals.
In contrast, online CPR courses allow you to work toward your renewal on your own time, at your own pace, and at a very convenient price. You can complete lessons in just a few minutes through brief but impactful videos, which are then followed up with quizzes and additional reading material. Revisit them as many times as necessary before completing the final exam, where you’ll receive your certificate, which is good for two years.
The asynchronous nature of these online courses makes them perfect for busy professionals, especially as they are always available through your phone, tablet, or computer. You can sit down in a break between lunch and dinner to review information about performing chest compressions and utilizing the AED you should have on hand in the kitchen, or squeeze in a quick training about first aid after performing a shift handover.
You entered the hospitality business because you care about people and want to help them enjoy their vacation or special night out. Carry this philosophy with you by going above and beyond through online CPR renewal, creating a culture of safety that will infuse your establishment.
