Wondering how big a bite a CPR class takes out of your Saturday? Less than most people expect. Here is exactly how long each class at ABC Health & Safety Training runs, and what class day looks like from arrival to walking out certified.
All classes meet at the Vacaville Fire Department training facility at 420 Vine St in Vacaville. It is a real training environment with plenty of space, professional manikins, and AED trainers for every student.
Wear comfortable clothes you can kneel in; you will spend real time on the floor doing compressions. Bring a water bottle and, if you are renewing, it can help to know when your current card expires. Everything else, including all training equipment, is provided.
Classes are hands-on from early on. Your instructor demonstrates each skill, then you practice it on your own manikin: compressions, rescue breaths, AED use, and choking response. For BLS students there is additional team practice with bag valve masks. You will get individual coaching until the skills feel natural, then complete a short skills check. Our instructors keep the atmosphere relaxed; nobody is there to trick you, and questions are welcome the whole way through.
Your American Heart Association certification is issued after successful completion and is valid for two years. Employers can verify AHA eCards online, which most HR departments now prefer.
Saturday morning classes are the most popular and get you certified before lunch. If weekends are impossible, our CPR and BLS courses also run on select weekday evenings from 6pm to 8pm, which many healthcare workers use to renew after a shift. Evening dates appear right alongside Saturday dates when you book online.
BLS for Healthcare Providers includes a short written exam along with the hands-on skills check. Our basic CPR, First Aid, and Pediatric classes are evaluated through hands-on skills practice with your instructor.
The American Heart Association sets no minimum age; what matters is the physical ability to perform compressions on a manikin on the floor. Teens taking a class for babysitting, lifeguarding, or school requirements are welcome.
For basic CPR and First Aid classes, no preparation is needed. BLS students get more out of class after reviewing the AHA BLS Provider Manual, especially if it is a first certification.
Have a question about any of our classes? Call us at (707) 592-9749 or browse upcoming class dates. Not sure which class you need? Try our class picker.
