How long does a CPR certificate last in Barbados?

The short answer: most first aid and CPR certifications issued in Barbados are valid for two years from the date of the course. That two-year window is the standard set by every major accrediting body we work with — PADI, HSI and EFR — and it applies to individual certificates, workplace certificates, and dive-team certificates alike.

Why two years?

CPR technique research updates roughly every five years, but the far bigger issue is skill decay. Studies consistently show that most people lose confidence and technical accuracy in chest compressions and rescue breathing within 6–12 months of training. Two years is the practical outer limit for keeping a rescuer safe to act — after that, muscle memory is usually gone.

What expires, and when

• Emergency First Response (EFR) Primary & Secondary Care — valid 24 months.
• HSI Basic First Aid, CPR & AED — valid 24 months.
• PADI Rescue Diver EFR prerequisite — valid 24 months.
• Workplace certificates (Barbados OSH Act general duty) — no fixed legal expiry, but employers who rely on out-of-date certificates open themselves to liability. Two years is the accepted standard.

What to do before you expire

COntact us and we'll slot you right in. Standards and rules change every year so it's so important to be on top of things. When you re-sit the course you will hear things differently, see things with fresh eyes and learn things you didn't capture first time around. We don't run refreshers.

How to check your expiry date

If you trained with us, sign in to your account and every certificate you hold is listed with its expiry date. If you trained elsewhere, the expiry is printed on the certificate itself — normally in the format "Valid until MM/YYYY".

Coming up for renewal? Book your re-certification course or send us the certificate you'd like to renew and we'll advise on the fastest path.