Get Certified: First Aid & CPR Training - American Heart Association & Red Cross

You never know when an emergency may arise. Most people would like to think it can't happen, but you should be prepared. Basic first-aid skills can save trips to the hospital and prevent infection. Administration of CPR can save a person's life if she is choking or having a heart attack. Getting certified in CPR and first aid is easy, and it can mean the difference between life and death.

Schedule a Class

• The American Heart Association and the American Red Cross are the two largest organizations that offer certification. You can schedule a class for your workplace, community or family at a reasonable price. If you would rather not schedule a class, you may reserve a space in one that already has been scheduled in your area.

Attend a Class

• Classes can be held in the workplace, at a community center, in your home, at a local Red Cross center and many other convenient locations, and they are offered every day of the week. Classes are generally 2 to 3 hours long. They involve instruction and hands-on practice with dummies. Upon completion of the course, you will receive a CPR and first-aid certification card.

Renew

• Renew your certification as needed, so you are always prepared for an emergency. First-aid certification needs to be renewed every two years, and CPR certification must be renewed every year. Renew by repeating the CPR/first-aid course and training.

Online Certification

• Online-only offers for CPR certification are scams. True certification can only come from a trained instructor. The American Heart Association offers online courses to learn the basics, and that is followed by a 30-minute session with an instructor so you can demonstrate what you have learned. You receive your certification card only after instructor approval.