Gift-giving is hard, even if you know the recipient extremely well. For example, some people seem to have everything they want in life, so you can never be sure that you're giving them a duplicate item. Others are incredibly picky and, though they may not actually complain about what you gave them, they certainly won't use it. 

While a gift card is usually a good option for those who are difficult to shop for, what if you went above and beyond, giving your loved one something that will serve them well for years to come? Thoughtful gifts for the family, such as board games and tickets to a show, are certainly welcome; however, they can be difficult to use, especially if the family is always on the go and struggles to find a convenient time for everyone. 

That's why if you want to give an intangible gift, an online CPR course is an incredibly good option for protective parents, loving children, or supportive siblings the world over. Let's look at why, when you're considering a one-of-a-kind gift, buying your loved one training for CPR and first aid online is the way to go.

Everyone can benefit from knowing first aid because you never know when you'll need it

Emergencies can happen anywhere, anytime, and to anyone, including cardiac arrest. The Centers for Disease Control notes that over 800,000 people suffer a heart attack each year, and some of them never even knew they had heart disease or a cardiac defect. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation is one of the best ways to give someone a fighting chance until emergency medical services can arrive, but it's difficult to perform correctly and requires proper training, which is why learning CPR is a must for everyone. 

These courses don't just teach you CPR, though: they also cover how to help a drowning victim, execute the Heimlich maneuver, stop bleeding, and treat someone who is in shock. Such accidents can happen to even the healthiest of people, which means that your gift recipient could be the one saving your life in an emergency.

Even though first aid training is vital, it often falls to the bottom of someone's to-do list

Let's face it: life is hectic. All of us have so many things going on that many non-urgent tasks and chores go undone in favor of more time-sensitive issues. We may desperately want to do some landscaping in our garden, but the one time we're available, it's raining; when we'd like to pamper ourselves with a nice massage, suddenly, the car needs repairs. 

This is why your gift of online CPR training can be the kickstart that gets your loved one learning something they always planned to get around to, but kept pushing down on their list of tasks. The recipient may never have put in their budget, even though the courses are surprisingly affordable: no more than $65, which is incredibly reasonable for a gift. However, now that they've received access to this training, sunk cost theory will encourage them to give it a go - and they'll be amazed at how simple and easy it is to learn such essential skills.

Online CPR training lets you learn at your own pace, which makes it an excellent gift

Buying people experiences can be tricky because it assumes that they'll be available at the time requested; for people who have very busy schedules, this may mean that they miss out on the gift entirely, which will lead to frustration for both giver and recipient. With online CPR learning, though, your loved one can log on and do the lessons whenever they're free rather than having to block off their schedule at a specific time. 

Each lesson is quick and highly focused, and they're all available on-demand through any device connected to the internet. This means that your loved one can take 20 minutes out of their busy day and learn how to identify a hypoglycemic attack, then hop on later and complete the quiz to check what they've retained. It's a highly flexible way to learn, and incredibly affordable too.

While an online first aid course may seem like an offbeat gift, it may be the most essential present you've ever given

While cards can get recycled and candles will burn down, you can never lose the gift of knowledge - and there's never been a more important skill than CPR. Medical emergencies require quick intervention, which means that bystanders need to have the confidence to jump in and perform life-saving measures without hesitation. Being familiar with first aid techniques means that your relative or friend will be more willing to intervene in an emergency, which could end up saving a life.

Whether your loved one is a sports aficionado or the average businessperson, everyone can benefit from knowing how to perform first aid; online CPR certification is an affordable and thoughtful gift that will be highly appreciated. Better yet, it's a present that no one else will think to give, so you can be assured that not only will your relative or friend be delighted, but you'll be the talk of the party too!