CPR Certification is not just for first responders, EMTs and medical professionals. You never know when you will need to act in order to save a life. That is why being prepared is so important. CPR is not hard to learn and the certification class does not take a lot of time.

For just a small sacrifice of your time and energy, you can be prepared to help in an emergency. If you don't think that you will need CPR certification, then read these three stories. In each case, if someone trained in CPR was not present, a life would have been lost.

The Big Game

Leo Staudacher was excited to go to the Michigan – Notre Dame game with his three adult sons. During the game, the 69-year-old suddenly collapsed in cardiac arrest. His sons were shocked and did not know what to do. Thankfully, a nearby fan knew CPR and leapt into action.

Stadium personnel soon intervened with an Automated Electric Defibrillator to shock Leo Staudacher's heart back to life. Leo was able to finish watching the game from his hospital bed. His beloved Notre Dame may have lost the game, but Leo was grateful to have his life.

The preparedness of this one fan saved Leo's life. In these cases of sudden cardiac arrest, minutes and seconds count. If this fan had not started CPR right way, Leo's chances would have been significantly worse. Because this anonymous fan had CPR certification, he saved Leo's life.

The Marathon Runner

Tawnya Reynolds was training to run a marathon. She ate right and exercised. Indeed, she had no risk factors for heart disease. But yet, one day she collapsed of sudden cardiac arrest while exercising with her husband.

Since Tawnya was training, she wanted to go for a run. Her husband Billy suggested that she work out with him in the yard instead. Luckily, she stayed home with Billy, the local Fire Department Chief.

Almost immediately, Tawnya said that she wasn't feeling right. When Tawnya collapsed, Billy knew what to do. He discovered that Tawnya had no pulse and started CPR immediately. One of their children located the phone, and Billy continued CPR while dialing 911.

In five minutes, the paramedics arrived and used an AED to shock Tawnya's heart back to life. Tawnya was in Intensive Care for six days, but made a full recovery.

Billy's CPR certification saved Tawnya's life. Because he was prepared to deal with an emergency, he knew exactly what do when his wife collapsed. You may save a stranger with CPR, but in this case Billy was able to save his beloved wife and best friend.

Toddler Saved By CPR

You never know whose life will be saved by CPR. If you know CPR, you may be able to prevent a real tragedy. Consider the case of Gardell Martin, a two-year-old toddler. He was out playing with his brothers on a snowy day. He accidentally fell into an icy stream and was swept away.

A half hour later, he was found face down in 34-degree water. The poor child was not breathing. The emergency crew that arrived on the scene performed CPR and rushed the child to the hospital. The medial team at the hospital continued the CPR.

The child showed no signs of life for one hour and 41 minutes until his body temperature warmed and his heart started beating. Gardell made a full recovery.

In this incident, CPR helped keep this child alive for over an hour. This child was given a chance to grow up because people pursued CPR certification and were able to administer this life-saving procedure.

What Is CPR?

CPR stands for cardiopulmonary resuscitation. It is a set of techniques to pump the heart, get blood flowing and oxygen to the brain in an emergency.

It is a temporary treatment that is used until more definitive treatment can be applied. CPR includes chest compressions, mouth-to-mouth breathing and AED if available.

This treatment can keep essential organs functioning until professional medical help can be given. Starting CPR as quickly as possible in an emergency increase the chances for survival in an emergency.

How to Get a CPR Certification

There are many organizations that offer classes in CPR. The American Red Cross and American Heart Association are just two organizations with classes. The class involves six hours of instruction where you will learn and practice these life saving techniques.

There are classes where much of the work can be done online at your convenience with only a short session at the end. Classes cost around $100 and include instruction on first aid, CPR and availability to take advantage of CPR and the use of an AED.

CPR certification is good for two years then you have to take a refresher course to renew your certification.

Over 300,000 people die each year of sudden cardiac arrest. With CPR certification, you might be able to save one of these people. Be prepared for an emergency situation by getting the training you need to save a life.