Advanced resuscitation course or CPR: which do you need?
Advanced resuscitation training adds defibrillators, oxygen and bag-valve masks to CPR. Compare both courses and book the one that fits your work.
Written byEdway
The short answer
It's no secret that first aid can help save lives. Some emergencies call for more than your hands, and that is where the two courses differ.
The difference is equipment. A CPR course teaches you to resuscitate someone with your hands. Advanced Resuscitation adds the equipment a real response uses: defibrillators, oxygen and bag-valve masks. Advanced Resuscitation also includes the CPR unit, but you need a current first aid certificate before you can start it.
If you just need a current CPR certificate for work, CPR is the course. If your workplace keeps resuscitation equipment and expects you to use it, the Advanced Resuscitation course is your next step.
What CPR covers
The CPR course is HLTAID009 Provide Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation. It is the quickest way to get your CPR certification. You learn to:
- recognise an unconscious casualty
- perform CPR to current Australian Resuscitation Council (ARC) guidelines
- use the recovery position
- respond to airway obstruction (a blocked airway)
- protect yourself and lower the risk of infection
The course is 3 hours in a classroom, including breaks. There is also a compulsory online module to finish before you attend. You must be there in person to practise CPR on a manikin.
What advanced resuscitation training adds
The Advanced Resuscitation course is HLTAID015 Provide Advanced Resuscitation and Oxygen Therapy. You learn additional life-saving steps on top of CPR. It covers resuscitation using specialised equipment, in line with ARC guidelines, in complex community and workplace settings. The equipment is:
- automated external defibrillators (AEDs)
- oxygen tanks
- bag-valve masks
You learn to respond to an emergency, perform advanced resuscitation, use this equipment, and communicate and evaluate the incident afterwards.
The course is 6 hours in a classroom. Before that you complete a compulsory online module of 1 to 3 hours. You must be physically able to do 2 minutes of CPR and take part in the practical activities.
Who needs which
CPR is for anyone who needs a current CPR certificate. That includes workers whose role asks for yearly CPR, parents and carers, fitness and aquatic staff, and the general public. Most workplaces ask staff to refresh CPR every year, so a CPR refresher course keeps you ready for work.
Advanced Resuscitation is for workers who use specialised resuscitation equipment. It suits aquatic facilities, health and aged care, remote or industrial sites, and emergency response. These are the workplaces that keep this equipment on hand. It also suits people who want to be prepared for all types of emergencies.
If you are choosing between general first aid courses, read Which first aid course do you need?.
Prerequisites
CPR has no prerequisites.
Advanced Resuscitation has one. You must already hold a current Provide First Aid certificate: HLTAID011, or the older HLTAID003. Bring it on the day. Without it you cannot take part.
For both courses, bring one valid photo ID and have your USI (Unique Student Identifier) ready. After booking, you'll complete a short language, literacy, numeracy and digital (LLND) check in your student account. You can try a free 10-minute practice check first to see the level.
What you receive and how long it stays current
Both courses are delivered and issued by Training Aid Australia (RTO 91411), not by Edway. Your Statement of Attainment usually arrives within 24 hours.
| CPR | Advanced Resuscitation | |
|---|---|---|
| Units on your certificate | HLTAID009 | HLTAID015 and HLTAID009 |
| How often to refresh | Every 12 months | Every 12 months |
| Recognised | Nationally | Nationally |
| Licence or card | No | No |
Advanced Resuscitation can run in Sydney (Darlinghurst, Seven Hills and Mona Vale) and in Melbourne. Check the course page for dates. If none are listed, send an enquiry from the course page. CPR runs in Sydney and Melbourne, with dates on the course page.
Next step
Go to the Advanced Resuscitation course page to send an enquiry, or the CPR course page to book a date. The price and the issuing RTO are shown on each course page before you book. Book today and be ready for any emergency.
Sources
- Edway knowledge base — courses/advanced-resuscitation/index.md, offerings.yaml and work.yamlWhat Advanced Resuscitation covers, the equipment, who it is for, length, venues and enquiry-only booking
- Edway knowledge base — courses/advanced-resuscitation/recognition.md and faq.yamlPrerequisite, issuing RTO, Statement of Attainment and 12-month refresh
- Edway knowledge base — courses/cpr/index.md, offerings.yaml, recognition.md and faq.yamlWhat CPR covers, who it is for, length, validity and issuing RTO
- training.gov.au — HLTAID015 Provide Advanced Resuscitation and Oxygen TherapyUnit code and official title
- training.gov.au — HLTAID009 Provide Cardiopulmonary ResuscitationUnit code and official title
