My Biggest Mistake as a New CPR Instructor
In all my years of teaching CPR, I can still recount my biggest mistake, and it was made before I ever even started teaching. As a new instructor, I was so excited and eager to get started. I spent countless hours on Amazon, eBay, and other shopping sites, eagerly filling my cart with everything I thought I needed.
I bought several manikins, different AED trainers, lungs, supplies, pens, binders, and so many other things. It was like being a kid in a candy store. Every new piece of equipment seemed essential, every supply critical. In my enthusiasm, I ended up with far more than I needed.
The Gear Bag Debacle
Okay, I made two mistakes. The second mistake was using an old gear bag from my firefighting days. I spent my first six months carrying everything around in that gear bag. It was heavy, cumbersome, and impractical. I was constantly struggling to lug it from my car to the training sites.
The turning point came when I finally invested in a duffel bag with wheels. This was the smartest purchase I’ve made to date! It transformed my experience, making it so much easier to transport my equipment. I could simply wheel everything around, saving my back and energy for the actual teaching.
My Biggest Mistake: Overbuying
But let’s go back to my biggest mistake: I bought too much, too soon, without any idea of what I really needed. In my eagerness to be prepared, I ended up with an excess of equipment and supplies that I didn’t use. This not only wasted money but also added unnecessary stress and clutter to my teaching setup.
I realized later that I could have started with just a few essential items and gradually added more as I gained experience and understood my specific needs. This approach would have been much more practical and cost-effective.
Starting Smart: Essentials for New Instructors
If you’re a new CPR instructor, learn from my mistakes. Start simple and build up your inventory as needed. Here are three essential items to get you started:
Wheeled Duffel Bag: This will make transporting your equipment so much easier. You can wheel it around and keep it in your trunk.
PRESTAN Adult and Infant CPR Manikin Kit: These manikins are high-quality and versatile, perfect for a range of training scenarios.
CPR Training Shields: These are crucial for hygiene and safety during training sessions.
Teach a Few Classes, Then Assess
Start with these three things and teach a couple of classes. This will give you a better idea of what you truly need and what might be superfluous. By starting small, you can avoid the pitfalls of overbuying and ensure that your teaching setup is both efficient and effective.
Prestan Starter Pack of CPR Training Equipment
Final Thoughts
Being a CPR instructor is incredibly rewarding, but it comes with its own set of challenges. One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is the importance of starting simple and building up gradually. By avoiding the mistake of overbuying, you can focus more on delivering quality training and less on managing excess equipment.
Remember, it’s not about having the most gear; it’s about having the right gear. Happy teaching!