Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
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• What is CPR and Who Needs It?

CPR, short for cardiopulmonary resuscitation, is an emergency medical procedure that is used to keep a person’s lungs flowing with oxygen and their heart beating if they’ve entered cardiac arrest. It has been around for over 50 years and has saved many lives every year. Anyone can benefit from learning this skill and many choose to go through a training program and are awarded with a CPR certification.

Many people choose to learn CPR for their own benefit but there are many who are actually required to get certified for various reasons and will need to take specific classes accordingly:
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1. CPR for Workplaces, Schools, and Individuals: It’s increasingly common for workplaces and schools to require individuals to be certified. If you fall into this category, you will need to take a class tailored for nonprofessionals.

2. CPR for Healthcare Providers and Medical Professionals: If you need CPR as a skill for your job, such as firefighters or EMTs, you will need a certification that is designed for people in the medical profession.

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• How do I pay for the course?​

We accept cash, money orders, or corporate checks at the time of the class. You can also pay at the time of registration when you register online.

• What should I wear?

The courses involve hands-on practice sessions so wear something comfortable that you can move around in.

• Will there be a test?

There is no longer a test for the Heartsaver, but a skills check. There is a test for healthcare providers and a skills check.

• ​What is the CPR Testing process?

The standard CPR test is in two parts:

Written Test: The written CPR test includes a series of question on the basics of CPR. This part of the test is to ensure that students understand when to perform CPR and how to perform CPR, and also know how to deal with various situations. The test is a multiple choice question test.

Skill Test: The second part of the CPR certification test involves applying the skills which students have been taught during the course. The instructors provide a dummy or manikin for students to demonstrate their CPR skills. This allows the instructors to verify that students have learned the proper technique of CPR, are able to follow protocol and know how to administer breaths and compression.
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• When do I receive my CPR card?

You will receive your American Heart Association CPR card at the end of the class.

• How Long is CPR Certification and my CPR card Valid?

CPR certification typically is valid for two years. When your CPR certification expires, recertification is needed. When an individual wishes to have recertification they will be required to take the written test and the skill test to ensure that they have retained the proper knowledge, techniques and skills. When protocols have been changed, it may be necessary for the individual to retake the entire course.


 

• What are the Courses Like?

CPR
In-person training courses traditionally take place in a classroom. You will learn from a qualified CPR instructor and will be provided with a course manual. During the course students will have dummies to practice the application of CPR. This allows students to experience a “real” experience of how to deal with a victim requiring CPR. The first thing that will be taught in CPR certification classes is to remember that your role in saving a victim’s life is to keep them alive until the medical response team arrives.

During the CPR course, students will be assessed on their competency and skill level and those that show that they have learned the ability to apply the necessary skills, will receive their certification after their final written and practical exams. Classes often take 4 hours if you go with the classroom courses or quite a bit shorter if you do an online e-learning based certification.
 
BLS
Basic Life Support (BLS) is for healthcare professionals who need to know how to perform CPR, as well as other lifesaving skills, in a wide variety of in-hospital and out-of-hospital settings. Students will also be provided with the Key changes in basic life support, reflecting the new science from the 2010 American Heart Association Guidelines for Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation and Emergency Cardiovascular Care.

The course is video-based with instructor-led discussion and simulation. Students participate in, practice and complete various skills and learning stations. Upon successful completion of a CPR course we provide credential (card) documenting.
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• Why is CPR Re-certification Important?

Studies show that less than half of CPR certified individuals are able to pass a skills test one year after training. This is because CPR is not something that we use in our everyday lives so it can easily be forgotten. Like anything in life, if you don’t use it, you often lose it. CPR techniques are no different and your certification should be renewed as recommended by the American Heart Association. Not only is recertification important for refreshing your knowledge and skills but also for keeping up with changing guidelines. This past 2010 is a prime example, when the American Heart Association made critical changes to their CPR guidelines. many jobs also require you to have a valid CPR certification, therefore if yours is expiring soon, or has expired, you will need to get re-certified. Do not get yourself into a difficult situation by letting your certification expire.

CPR classes do not require a great time investment, nor are they expensive. You dedicated yourself once to help save a life and you should keep that commitment by renewing your certification every two years.

• How Do I Renew My CPR Certification?

There are different means to renew your CPR certification. If you hold an American Heart Association or American Red Cross certification then you can retake a review or challenge course through one of their programs. A review course is simply a review of the material followed up with an exam. On the other hand, a challenge course skips the review and teaching component and you are simply required to pass the exam. Keep in mind, taking classes with the AHA online will also require you to have hands on instruction by BLS Instructor.

• Can I Renew my CPR Certification Online? 

The Most Efficient Way you can renew your certification without needing hands-on training by following an online program that adheres to the ECC/ILCOR and American Heart Association guidelines. This means you can engage in the video-based training at your own pace, whenever it is convenient for you, from the comfort of your own home. There are several different online certification providers however many of them do not follow the necessary guidelines for them to be approved by your workplace.

• ​What do I do if I lose my CPR card?

No problem! Call us and we will be happy to issue you a duplicate card. Please give the date/month of the class you took. You will be charged a $15.00 replacement fee.

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