FAQs

  • A CPR course is beneficial for everyone, regardless of age or profession! It is especially recommended for:

    • Healthcare Providers and First Responders: Professionals like nurses, doctors, EMTs, and paramedics who are required to have CPR certification. (BLS)

    • Parents and Caregivers: Those caring for infants, children, or elderly individuals who want to be prepared for emergencies.

    • Workplace Teams: Employees in industries like construction, education, fitness, yoga or corporate offices where CPR certification is often required.

    • Teachers and Coaches: Educators, athletic coaches, and school staff responsible for student safety.

    • Community Members: Anyone who wants the confidence to help save a life in an emergency situation, whether at home, in public, or at work.

    • Babysitters and Nannies: Anyone responsible for the safety of children in their care, whether professionally or for family.

    Learning CPR equips you with life-saving skills and prepares you to act when every second counts.

  • REGISTERING FOR A MINOR REQUIREMENTS BELOW, but in general, The American Heart Association (AHA) generally recommends that CPR training be available for individuals as young as 9 years old, particularly for those who want to learn CPR as part of a training course.

    For more advanced training, such as BLS, participants be at least 18 years old due to the complexity of the skills involved.

    The appropriateness of a child or teen taking a class may vary depending on the course content, the individual's maturity level and physical abilities to perform CPR hands-on skills. Please take into consideration the fact that emotional conversations and discussion of death are including in the training. If the entire group is of the same age range, I will try to cater my teaching and vocabulary to the group.

    Please review EMPOWER CPR AND FIRST AID ’s MINORS POLICY in the Waiver of Liability Form and Policies & Procedures Form.

  • Yes, you will receive your CPR certification card immediately after successfully completing the course, and it will be valid for two years.

  • There are a few different options!

    (A) You can register for an upcoming Community / Open to the Public CPR Class by clicking on the Community Class link (found in Class Formats page or Book page).

    (2) Are these the only classes you offer?

    No! While I schedule public classes each month, I also offer private CPR training for workplaces, organizations, and groups. If you'd like to arrange a private session, contact me to set up a time and location that fits your needs.

    Please contact me and we can discuss what type of class works best for you / your groups’ needs. We can go from there to set up a date, time and location.

  • Absolutely! One of the unique features of Empower CPR and First Aid is my focus on small, intimate group classes tailored to your needs. You can schedule a private session with your family, friends, or coworkers in a setting that’s convenient for you—whether it’s your home, workplace, or a local gathering spot. I ask for a minimum of 3 persons and a maximum of 10. These private classes foster a comfortable and collaborative learning environment, allowing you to train together and support one another as you build life-saving skills. It’s a great way to prepare for emergencies while connecting with the people you care about most. You never know when you might be called to save their life!

  • Basic Life Support (BLS) and Lay person CPR / AED both focus on teaching life-saving skills, but they are tailored for different audiences and scenarios:

    • Lay Person CPR / AED (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation):

      • Designed for the general public, including parents, teachers, and community members.

      • Covers basic techniques for performing chest compressions, rescue breaths, and using an AED (Automated External Defibrillator).

      • Focuses on helping individuals respond confidently to cardiac and breathing emergencies in everyday situations.

    • Basic Life Support (BLS):

      • Geared toward healthcare providers and professionals, such as nurses, doctors, and EMTs.

      • Includes more in-depth training on team-based resuscitation, advanced airway management, and working in clinical settings.

      • Emphasizes working as part of a team, following protocols, and managing emergencies in a healthcare or high-stress environment.

    If you’re a healthcare professional or someone needing a certification for work, BLS is likely the right choice. For others wanting to learn essential life-saving skills, a Lay Person CPR / AED classes will meet your needs.

  • The difference between CPR "training" and CPR "certification" lies in the depth of instruction and the formal recognition provided:

    • CPR / AED Training: Focuses on teaching the basic skills needed to perform CPR and operate the AED, including chest compressions and rescue breathing. It often includes hands-on practice and is designed to give participants the knowledge and confidence to assist during a cardiac emergency. Training may be less formal and does not result in a certification card. Class duration is typically 2-3 hours.

    • *Arizona schools require CPR training for high school seniors, which ensures they learn the skills but doesn’t require them to be formally certified.

    • CPR / AED Certification and/or First Aid Certification: Involves a structured course taught by a certified instructor that meets guidelines set by the American Emergency Response Training company, which is guided by the American Heart Association (AHA) guidelines and is certified by the American Red Cross. Certification courses require the participant to PASS a skills evaluation / hands-on demonstration. Upon successful completion, participants receive a certification card valid for two years, which is often required for jobs in healthcare, childcare, or other fields that require CPR competency. Course Duration: Certification classes vary, depending on which certification class you take, but on average, they are about 4 hours.

    Both training and certification aim to save lives, but certification carries a formal credential that demonstrates compliance with recognized standards.

  • At Empower CPR and First Aid, all classes are currently offered in-person because I believe hands-on practice is the best way to build confidence and truly master life-saving skills. In-person training gives you the chance to work directly with an experienced instructor, practice techniques with state-of-the-art equipment, and ask questions in a supportive, interactive environment. While blended learning options aren’t available at this time, my in-person classes are designed to be engaging, personalized, and worth every moment!

  • It really varies.

    For more accurate class duration descriptions for each TYPE of class, see the “Classes” Page. * What sets Empower CPR and First Aid apart from other training centers is that I really try to cover the course content in a comprehensive and engaging manner. I’ve been a student in many CPR classes before and I would dislike when the instructors would just hurry through the information. My classes might take a little longer than others in this business and I’m okay with that. I want to take the time to make the participants feel truly EMPOWERED to save a life - not just a check box on their employment profile.

    In general, CPR / AED Training: approximately 2-3 hours. I often plan a little extra time in the beginning of the training for paperwork purposes (policies and procedures).

    CPR / AED / First Aid Certification: approximately 4-5 hours. I often plan a little extra time in the beginning of the training for paperwork purposes (policies and procedures). *PLEASE NOTE: the HANDS- ON SKILLS CHECK OFF is at the END of the class, so dependent on the size of the class, it could take a little longer. If you need to make accommodations on time, please let me know in advance and I will work with you to check you off in the first group of participants.

    BLS Certifications: these classes typically take a little longer, due to the advanced curriculum, additional skills and the written test completion. On average, the difference BLS class options can take anywhere from 4-6 hours - depending on class size.

    If you only need TRAINING, but you are grouped into a CERTIFICATION class, then you will be able to leave early, as I conduct the HANDS-ON SKILLS ASSESSMENT at the end of the class.

    **Exceptions: if it is a special circumstance where the maximum participants limit is beyond the standard 10 persons (large employee groups, student groups, etc.), the SKILLS ASSESSMENT will take longer, and the class duration time might need to be extended.

  • At Empower CPR and First Aid, class sizes are kept intentionally small, with a minimum of 3 participants and a maximum of 10 (exceptions - see below). This range allows for an engaging and personalized learning experience, where each participant gets ample hands-on practice and one-on-one guidance from the instructor. Smaller groups also ensure a more comfortable, interactive environment, allowing everyone to ask questions and feel confident in their skills. Whether you’re attending with family, friends, or coworkers, our boutique-style approach ensures quality training tailored to your group’s needs.

    Why is there a minimum of 3 participants for my classes?

    To provide the best possible learning experience and ensure the class runs smoothly, I require a minimum of 3 participants. The course includes extensive content and practical training, and in order to cover the costs of reserving a teaching space, providing equipment, and other logistical factors, it’s necessary to have a minimum group size. This helps me continue offering high-quality sessions and ensures that I can dedicate the appropriate time and resources to each class. Thank you for your understanding!

    If your group has fewer than four participants, you may still schedule a class by covering the cost equivalent to 3 participants.

    *Exceptions to the MAX of 10: If you have a very large group of employees or students, then we can discuss extending the maximum numbers, but I will need to ensure that I can secure the proper amount of equipment (manikins, etc.) to ensure proper HANDS-ON SKILL ASSESSMENTS. Keep in mind that for large groups, the SKILLS ASSESSMENT will take longer, and the class duration time might need to be extended. Feel free to contact me so we can discuss the logistics and pricing options for accommodating larger groups.

  • At this time, payment is required prior to class. This policy ensures that I can secure a teaching space, reserve necessary equipment (such as manikins and supplies) from my partnering company, and allocate the time needed for preparation, travel, and setup. Given the commitment of a 2-4-hour blocks of time, it’s important to honor the instructor’s time and resources by attending the scheduled class. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.

  • At Empower CPR and First Aid, I provide CPR certification courses based on the American Emergency Response Training (AERT) guidelines. As a Certified Instructor under AERT, all CPR, AED, BLS, and First Aid courses are nationally recognized. Upon successful completion of Certification courses, each attendee will receive a 2-year certification card issued by AERT, which is American Red Cross certified and adheres to American Heart Association (AHA) guidelines. AERT is compliant with the most recent AHA 2025 guideline updates.

    As a nationally recognized certification, AERT meets Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and workplace requirements.

    I recommend confirming the specific certification requirements for your workplace, industry, or role. For example:

    • Healthcare Providers: Employers often require AHA's BLS (Basic Life Support) certification, but many accept equivalent certifications from other nationally recognized organizations.

    If you’re unsure, it’s always a good idea to check with your employer or licensing body to ensure the certification you’re pursuing meets the necessary requirements for your profession or industry. I’m always happy to answer any questions you might have.

  • Yes and no. The course content and certification requirements remain the same, whether it’s your first time getting certified or you’re renewing your certification. The American Heart Association (AHA) frequently updates its guidelines to incorporate new research and best practices, so the curriculum may include new material compared to when you last trained.

    For groups where ALL participants already have prior CPR experience, the session length is often shorter. This is because those familiar with the material typically move more quickly through the instruction and hands-on skill demonstrations. Ultimately, the pace of the class is adjusted to meet the needs and experience level of the group.

  • Yes and No.

    I will break this down in more detail below, but short answers are:

    YES - for BLS for the Healthcare Provider; BOTH written and hands-on skills demonstration / check off are required.

    NO written test - For Training courses or CPR/AED/First Aid Certification courses, but:

    YES - Hands on skills demonstration/check off for CPR/AED/First Aid CERTIFICATION class is required.

    At Empower CPR and First Aid, I believe that the stress of memorizing answers for a pop quiz at the end often distracts from the true goal of the course: learning life-saving skills. When I would take CPR courses, I remember focusing so much on route memorization that I lost sight of the practical, real-life techniques and examples that are key to actually helping someone in an emergency.

    While I will provide fill-in-the-blank forms to guide your learning experience, I do not require a final written test for CPR/AED/First Aid Training or Certification classes. Instead, I am required to assess/grade your hands-on skills demonstrations for any certification class. This is where I assess how well you’ve retained the course information and can apply the techniques in a simulated real-world setting. The result will be a PASS or FAIL, as required by my licensing body.

    I want you to leave feeling EMPOWERED to save a life when needed, so it’s important that we focus on practical learning. It doesn’t serve either the student or instructor to not have a successful learning experience.

  • For your CPR class at Empower CPR and First Aid, the main thing you need to bring is yourself! Everything else will be provided for you, including manikins, AED trainers, and any course materials.

    However, here are a few helpful things to consider bringing:

    • A notebook, pencil/pen/highlighters if you’d like to take notes.

    • Comfortable clothing that allows you to practice chest compressions and move freely.

    • A positive attitude and a willingness to learn!

    • Drink and a snack if you would like. It is a 4 hour class and I will allot for short breaks.

    If you have any personal items (like a specific device or medication) that you may need during the class, please bring those as well. Feel free to reach out if you have any questions about what to expect or bring ahead of time!

  • No, unfortunately I am not Spanish speaking.

  • Please review the forms under the FORMS tab on the website.

    • Also, after completing your registration, you will receive a confirmation email with a link to our registration form, payment portal, and waiver of liability form, and photography release form. Please review all required documents before attending the class. We will handle the paperwork at the beginning of the class.