The National Academy of Sports Medicine, or NASM, is an exceptional personal training certification.
If you’re reading this, chances are you want to become a personal trainer or are currently rocking the NASM training.
If so, our article, NASM personal trainer certification review, outlines all of the specifics regarding the certification process and what’s involved.
A personal trainer is only as good as their certification, so it’s essential to pick a program like NASM, which is accredited by the NCCA, National Commission for Certifying Agencies. It shows employers the certification is trustworthy and leads to jobs as personal trainers.
CPR and AED certifications are required to complete the NASM CPT (certified personal trainer) program.
While NASM offers its own CPR course, many providers offer those specific certifications, but NASM recognizes only some.
This review will delve into the specifics of the NASM CPT program and how the CPR and AED certification works.
What is CPR and AED Training?
CPR or Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation refers to the hands-on approach of saving someone’s life in an emergency where their heart stops.
It involves a series of chest compressions and breaths that can keep blood circulation throughout the body to continue brain functionality.
It’s performed until additional measures are carried out to restart the heart.
An AED, an automated external defibrillator, is used when someone experiences cardiac arrest.
It features pads placed on the chest and an electric shock if the device assesses an abnormal heart rhythm. An AED can help return a heartbeat to a normal rhythm with proper training.
While both methods are used in life-threatening situations, CPR is used when the heartbeat is no longer detected or breathing stops.
AED is used to return a heart rhythm to normal for someone experiencing cardiac arrest.
Acceptable CPR and AED Providers by NASM CPT Certification
Regardless of what provider you select, hands-on training for specific modules is mandatory to pass the training unless you receive a waiver to do it all online due to COVID restrictions.
The list of providers accepted by the National Academy of Sports Medicine is below.
- Emergency Care & Safety Institute
- St. John’s Ambulance
- American Safety & Health Institute
- Emergency Medical Technician
- American Red Cross
- American Heart Association
Along with the National Academy of Sports Medicine themselves, those providers are acceptable.
Understanding NASM’s CPR and AED Certification Process
Whether you choose the NASM CPR online certification or one of the other acceptable providers, everyone completing the NASM CPT program must pass the NASM CPR AED exam.
Any approved certifications teach a personal trainer the science behind how CPR and AED can save lives in emergencies.
For CPR, the correct methods are explained, from the number of chest compressions administered to artificial breathing to re-assessing the pulse.
In the AED training, the device is defined, and proper function is reviewed to ensure both the victim and carer are safe.
Some of the courses are online and hands-on. These are known as hybrid courses. The NASM CPT certified personal trainer course accepts online-only CPR and AED re-certification due to the pandemic.
Someone who is certifying for the first time must have completed the hands-on portion of the program, and online-only is not acceptable.
Both CPR and AED must be performed correctly as something like incorrect depth of the compressions or placing the pads in the wrong place on the body could mean the difference between life and death.
Once all of the training is complete, this personal trainer certification requires completing the NASM CPR AED exam. Keep in mind that a personal trainer must complete the NASM personal training program within two years of signing up.
The NASM CPR AED Exam
You can re-take the NASM CPR AED exam as many times as you need to receive a passing score for those fearful of examinations.
To pass, you must have a 70% or higher. The exam consists of 25 multiple-choice questions. Once completed, you are one step closer to a future of personal training.
After completing the NASM CPT exam, a personal trainer certification is issued to all personal trainers via the online dashboard.
The option to receive a physical copy of the NASM CPT certification is also available for those who need to show their employer’s proof of completing the personal training.
More Information About NASM
NASM Courses and Products | Personal Trainer Certification
With a Personal Trainer Certification from the National Academy of Sports Medicine, you’ll master the necessary skills to start training clients and the tools required to help them see results.
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If you want to become a certified personal trainer, we offer more articles about the NASM CPT certification and other competitors. Read ACE vs. NASM to understand how the NASM certification compares to its competitors.
Our article about NASM CES provides insight into the many certifications that the National Academy of Sports Medicine offers.
Becoming a certified personal trainer is a massive decision, but the proper certification will have you well on your way to achieving that endeavor.
Kristen holds a bachelors in English from Louisianna university. With a longstanding passion for fitness, she owns and operate her own gym and is a certified jazzercise instructor.