CPR and first aid training: what to know

What the job involves, what changes the price, and what to ask a pro.

What cpr and first aid training is

CPR and first aid training teaches CPR, rescue breathing, choking response and basic first aid, using manikins, with practice and an optional certificate. Parents book it for teens, workers take it for their jobs, and families take it so they can respond at home.

Signs you need it

  • Your job, school or volunteer role asks for CPR or first aid training.
  • You have never practiced chest compressions or rescue breathing on a manikin.
  • You want to know what to do if a child or adult chokes at home.
  • Your teen is starting a job or a babysitting role and needs a training course.
  • You want to refresh your skills, because you have not practiced for a long time.

What the pro does

  • Explain the steps of the response before any practice, including checking for danger and calling for help.
  • Practice chest compressions on a manikin, with feedback on depth, pace and hand position.
  • Practice rescue breathing and the choking response, with clear steps for adults, children and infants.
  • Teach how to use the basic first aid skills covered in the course, such as bleeding control and burns.
  • End with a short check of the skills, with a written or practical check where the course requires one.

What changes the price

Every job is different, so we do not publish prices. These are the things that move the quote up or down.

  • Group courses compared with private sessions
  • The length of the course and the number of hours in class
  • Whether the course covers CPR only or CPR and first aid together
  • Whether the course issues a certificate and which organization it is connected to
  • Whether the course is for adults, teens or a specific group
  • Whether the course is held in person or includes online parts

What a written quote should spell out

  • The course content, such as CPR, rescue breathing, choking response and first aid
  • The course length and the schedule
  • Whether a certificate is issued and what the certificate says about its validity
  • Whether the manikins and materials are included
  • The rules for missed sessions and any re-test

Questions to ask before you hire

  • Which organization's course do you teach, and does the certificate it issues meet what my employer or school requires?
  • Are instructors certified to teach this course, and can you show proof?
  • How much time is spent practicing on manikins?
  • What happens if I do not pass the skills check the first time?
  • If you are booking for a teen, what is the policy on background checks, supervision and whether a parent can attend?

Red flags

  • A course that issues a certificate with no hands-on practice on a manikin.
  • An instructor who cannot show their own certification to teach the course.
  • Pressure to buy a bundle of extra courses before the first session.
  • A course that promises a certificate that will be accepted everywhere without checking.

What you can do yourself

You can read first aid guides and watch demonstrations, but this does not replace hands-on practice. Take a course with a certified instructor and manikins, since compression depth and breathing technique are hard to learn from reading alone.

Licenses and permits

CPR and first aid training usually does not require a license for the student. Instructors normally need certification from the organization whose course they teach. Check which certificate your employer, school or program accepts before you book.

CPR and first aid training questions

Do I need a certificate after the course?

Many jobs and schools ask for a certificate, but the requirement depends on who is asking. Check with them before you book which course and certificate they accept.

Can a parent book a CPR course for a teen?

Yes. Ask about the course content, the instructor's certification, the class size, whether the teen will practice on manikins and the policy on supervision and background checks.

How do I find a CPR instructor here?

Describe the course you need and your deadline, then pick the instructors you want by name. Only the instructors you pick see your request, and it is free for you.

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