Discover the Best First Aid Classes Near Me
First aid is the set of skills necessary to respond to an emergency health crisis. These skills include everything from assessing the situation, performing CPR, and dressing wounds. The primary goal of first aid is to preserve life, prevent a worsening condition, and promote eventual recovery. It’s important to remember that first aid is not a replacement for full medical attention, but can deescalate a situation until that attention arrives. While first aid is often learned by Paramedics, Certified Nursing Assistants, and other first responders, anyone can learn the necessary skills.
Why You Should Learn First Aid
First aid knowledge can often be the difference between life and death. When an individual learns first aid, they’re acquiring the skills necessary to keep themselves and those around them as safe as possible. Learning first aid can be a great way to boost personal confidence in both everyday and survival situations.
First aid classes can also be a way to connect with other students who are passionate about healthcare and helping others. It allows students to learn from each other, collaborate, and form meaningful connections with others who are trying to make a difference in their communities.
Finally, first aid classes can help students break into the medical industry in crucial ways. Emergency Medical Technicians, Firefighters, Nursing Assistants, Nurses, and more, are all trained in first aid as part of their job description. Getting independently trained in first aid can be a great first step towards joining any of these professions.
5 Ways to Learn First Aid
There are many ways to learn first aid, each offering different advantages (and disadvantages) and each suiting different learning styles. Attending in-person training courses is a popular method, providing hands-on practice, interactive learning, and direct guidance from experienced instructors. With an in-person class, you’ll be able to practice your new skills, such as CPR and placing a tourniquet, as you learn them, and even get immediate feedback. Online first aid courses offer convenience and flexibility, allowing learners to study from anywhere. Some courses will also provide lists of materials, so you can still practice at home even if you’re not in the same room as your instructor.
It’s also possible to use Youtube, or other asynchronous tutoring elements, to learn first aid. While you won’t receive a certification this way, a dedicated learner can still gain many valuable skills through video tutorials and manuals. Another way to learn first aid is through community workshops.
Community workshops, conducted by local organizations, provide condensed yet informative sessions with trained professionals. Keep an eye out for local organizations that offer free or reduced-cost first aid training. These training sessions may not be as extensive as some, but can still provide you with the basics.
Finally, you can often gain basic first aid skills by volunteering with a first aid organization such as the Red Cross or St. John Ambulance. Some of these organizations will provide first aid training before any field work. This is a great way to meet people and learn first aid for a low-cost, while at the same time giving back to the community.
In-Person First Aid Classes
There are many options spread across multiple metropolitan areas for in-person first aid classes. Specifically, there are many in-person first aid classes in New York City. The 92nd St Y, for example, offers multiple courses for those looking to hone their first aid skills. Located in the upper east side in the heart of Manhattan, the 92 St Y is easily accessible via car and public transportation. One such course is the CPR/AED and First Aid for Child and Adult class.
In this class, students will learn how to identify an emergency, perform CPR, and use an AED (automated external defibrillator) to resuscitate patients. Students will also learn basic first aid and what to do if someone is choking. Finally, students will gain an understanding of the moral and legal ramifications of administering first aid, CPR, or using an AED. Students have the option to be certified in CPR for children and adults, but this certification does not cover infants.
If you’re interested in first aid and CPR directed specifically at toddlers and babies, the 92nd St Y also has a class for you. The Baby/Toddler CPR and First Aid class equips students with many of the same skills as the child and adult class, such as CPR, AED management, choking, and first aid. However, in this course, all of these skills are directed towards babies and toddlers. This course is perfect for those who want to protect the little ones in their life or who want a larger understanding of first aid in general.
First aid isn’t just for humans. Animals also get ill, injured, and end up in life-threatening situations. The 92nd St Y offers a Pet First Aid and CPR course for anyone interested in caring for pets and animals in their lives. Having the knowledge of administering fundamental first aid to your cat or dog has the potential to rescue their life during an unexpected crisis. In this class students can acquire the skills needed to offer immediate and temporary assistance to a pet until professional veterinary care can be sourced.
This course covers topics such as managing bleeding, tending to bite wounds, handling cardiac arrest, choking, burns, poisoning, and other forms of trauma. The course also educates students on injury prevention, disaster preparedness, and personal safety precautions to prevent further risks. This course is not a substitute for proper veterinary care.
Finally, Birth Day Presence has a class in Infant Safety and CPR, specifically for expectant parents or parents with children under the age of one. This course blends lecture, demonstration, and hands-on practice so that students can best learn how to support their children through a crisis. It is recommended that you bring your own doll or pillow for practical exercises. This course will cover a multitude of infant safety topics, including car seat safety, choking hazards, and first aid. Parents are welcome to bring their babies. Birth Day Presence is a provider of childbirth education and doula services, and is located in the Brooklyn neighborhood of Park Slope.
There are also a multitude of first aid classes available in Los Angeles. Among these are the CPR, AED, and first aid class offered by SureFire CPR. The CPR, AED, and First Aid class provides comprehensive coverage of essential skills, including adult, child, and infant CPR. Participants will learn techniques for managing conscious and unconscious choking in victims of all ages. The course also includes instruction on the proper use of AEDs, along with additional considerations, such as moral and legal implications, to keep in mind. Upon completion of this course, students will receive a 2 year certification. This course is recommended for teachers, security guards, fitness instructors, and laypeople. It is not, however, recommended for daycare and preschool teachers, nor is it recommended for healthcare providers.
SureFire CPR is located in Monterey Park, and should be accessible to anyone within city limits. It is a premier CPR and first aid instructor service, with teachers including firefighters, paramedics, lifeguards, ER nurses, and EMTs. SureFire CPR also has a course on Basic First Aid for those looking for more of a cursory survey of basic emergency healthcare services. This course covers trauma-related situations, including the management of bleeding wounds, muscle and bone injuries, as well as falls and seizures. This class also includes valuable information on dealing with asthma-related emergencies and recognizing and managing allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis. Furthermore, participants will be educated on how to respond to heat stroke and hypothermia.
San Antonio College has a course called Heartsaver First Aid-Adult & Pediatric (CPR & First Aid). The course offers a comprehensive training solution covering health and safety aspects. This includes instruction on first aid techniques, as well as adult, child, and infant CPR and AED usage. Participants will learn how to recognize and respond to various medical situations, providing essential care and support. Mt. San Antonio College is located in Walnut, California, a suburb approximately 30 minutes from Los Angeles. It is easily accessible by car.
Outside of New York and LA, there are other metropolitan areas that offer first aid and CPR certifications. In Chicago, Citywide CPR offers a course called Heartsaver First Aid Skills Session Class (Part 2 only). Part one of this class is available only online, but part two involves in-person instruction. This course is great for anyone who wants the benefits of both online and in person learning. After finishing the online segment, students are required to attend an in-person session that focuses on practical skills. This hands-on session provides students with an opportunity for students to apply and demonstrate their acquired skills.
Upon successful completion of the online and hands-on portions, including skills practice and testing under the supervision of a certified American Heart Association BLS or heartsaver Instructor, students will receive a course card. This card services as official recognition of their qualification as a Heartsaver first aid Provider.
Citywide CPR also provides a course aimed at first aid for the pediatric population. The Heartsaver Pediatric First Aid/CPR/AED course focuses on instructing child-care providers and individuals in responding to and effectively managing illnesses and injuries in children or infants during the critical initial minutes before professional help arrives. The course provides comprehensive training in essential first aid principles, including identifying the problem, controlling bleeding, applying bandages, relieving choking, administering epinephrine with a pen, as well as teaching child CPR with an AED and infant CPR techniques.
Citywide CPR is located in Naperville, Illinois, approximately an hour away from Chicago. Their founding principles include: delivering excellent service, training, and products, all while building and sustaining long-term relationships with clients.
The city of San Diego also has numerous first aid classes to choose from. The Childcare CPR & First Aid class, hosted by A-B-CPR, is a great option for licensed child care professionals looking to keep their charges safe. The course is an EMSA (Emergency Medical Services Authority) approved course, meaning that it is approved for anyone looking for a more professional certification.
A-B-CPR also offers a class called Blended CPR/AED & First Aid. If you’re not a licensed healthcare professional but still want to learn CPR, then this is the perfect course for you. It’s tailor made for non-healthcare professionals, such as personal trainers, coaches, school teachers, construction workers, and anyone else who might be interested in learning how to help themselves and those around them. A-B-CPR is located near Mission Valley East, and is run by a husband and wife duo.
If you’re located in Denver and looking for first aid and CPR classes, you have a few options to choose from. Colorado Cardiac CPR and first aid offers two classes that might be of interest. The First Aid class is for non-healthcare professionals, and covers basic first aid techniques and tactics over the course of three hours. As a result of this course, participants will receive a two year American Health and Safety Association (ASHI) certification.
The Colorado Cardiac CPR and first aid course also offers a Basic CPR/AED and first aid course for those who want to learn more extensively about first aid and emergency support. At five hours, this course also comes with a two year ASHI certification. The Colorado Cardiac CPR and first aid course covers certification and recertification in first aid, Heartsaver, Basic Life Support (BLS), Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS), Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS), CPR, and (AED) use. Located in Littleton, Colorado, it serves the Denver area along with the surrounding counties.
Finally, residents in Charlotte also have an option when it comes to learning first aid. Springs Road Gun Club offers a course called Stop the Bleed: Tactical Medical Fundamentals. In this course, students will learn hemorrhage control, and how to stop bleeding from a wound, how to treat gunshot wound and blast injuries, as well as basic airway and breathing techniques. Students will also learn basic casualty evacuation and phases of care in a tactical environment. This is a great course for anyone who spends time around or handling firearms, and can also be useful to the layperson looking to improve their gun safety and first aid skills. Springs Road Gun Club is located in Hickory, North Carolina, approximately an hour away from Charlotte.
Virtual First Aid Classes
You may also choose to take first aid classes virtually. Virtual classes are convenient for those who live outside of metropolitan areas, or those with busy schedules that make it difficult to attend in-person classes. Through virtual platforms, instructors can demonstrate various first aid techniques through video demonstrations and interactive modules. However, there is a hands-on element missing when it comes to learning first aid online. Students may not be able to access, for example, a CPR dummy, and won’t have a chance to practice their skills in practical ways. Students may also need to come with their own supplies, such as a first aid kit. Many certifications also require an in-person class. If you need an official certification, virtual first aid may not be right for you.
If you do decide that the accessibility of a virtual class is important to you, then you have options. Birth Day Presence, a premier provider of childbirth education and doula services, offers an Infant Safety and CPR Webinar. In this course, students will cover an overview of different infant safety topics, including car seat safety, first aid, and choking relief. Students will have time for a Q&A at the end of the session, and are encouraged to follow along with a doll or CPR dummy.
Someone interested in learning first aid may also be curious about the terminology necessary to navigate the medical field. Los Angeles City College offers an online course called Medical Terminology I. In this course, students will learn medical terms necessary to discuss different body systems, body orientation, diseases, and medical treatments. Participants will leave the course familiar with the vocabulary necessary to understand medical terms and communicate efficiently in the medical field.
Private Group First Aid Classes
Learning first aid as a group provides collaborative practice and support. It allows participants to share knowledge, refine skills, and simulate real-life scenarios together. This fosters a comprehensive understanding and builds confidence in first aid practice. In addition, group learning creates a supportive community, encouraging motivation and providing networking opportunities for ongoing skill development. If you’re interested in scheduling a first aid class for your private group, then reach out to CourseHorse through the contact form on their website.
Booking with CourseHorse provides benefits such as the ability to adjust group size after booking, receiving prompt confirmations, avoiding booking fees, and enjoying the convenience of multiple supported platforms. These advantages contribute to a hassle-free and flexible experience for individuals and groups seeking first aid training.
What Will I Need to Learn First Aid?
In order to learn first aid, you need very little other than a willingness to absorb new information. However, if you’re learning online, or if you want to practice on your own, it might be worth investing or renting in a CPR dummy or substitute. It may also be helpful to have a first aid kit on hand. Here’s what’s in a first aid kit:
- Bandages and Dressings - Adhesive bandages (various sizes), sterile gauze pads, adhesive tape, and elastic bandages (such as Ace bandages) are essential for covering wounds, securing dressings, and providing compression for sprains or strains.
- Antiseptic solutions - Antiseptic wipes or solutions (like hydrogen peroxide or iodine) are used for cleaning wounds and reducing the risk of infection.
- Medical gloves - Disposable gloves are crucial for protecting both the person administering first aid and the injured or ill individual from potential contamination.
- Scissors and tweezers - Scissors with rounded tips and tweezers are useful for cutting tape or clothing, and for removing splinters or foreign objects from the skin.
- Pain relievers and medications - Over the counter pain relievers such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen can help alleviate pain and reduce fever. It’s also advisable to have any prescribed medications specific to personal needs, such as an EpiPen for Severe allergies.
- CPR face mask or shield - These devices provide a barrier between the rescuer and the person receiving cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), reducing the risk of infection during rescue breathing.
- Emergency blanket - Also known as a space blanket, this lightweight, compact blanket helps retain body heat and provides warmth in emergency situations.
- Instant cold packs - These single-use packs provide cold therapy to reduce swelling or relieve pain caused by sprains, strains, or minor injuries.
- Disposable sterile gloves - These gloves are crucial for preventing the spread of infection and maintaining proper hygiene when attending to wounds or performing medical procedures.
- First aid manual or instruction booklet - having a comprehensive guide or manual on basic first aid procedures and techniques is essential for quick reference during emergencies.
While you don’t need a first aid kit in order to learn first aid, all of these materials may be useful as you gain new skills and practice them.
Is it Difficult to Learn First Aid?
Learning first aid can vary in difficulty. Basic principles and skills can be learned relatively easily through structured training. Some skills can also be absorbed However, proficiency in more advanced techniques may require more time and practice. Factors such as the complexity of skills, availability of training resources, practical experience, personal aptitude, and emotional preparedness can impact the learning process. While some prior knowledge or healthcare background may be helpful, anyone motivated to learn can acquire basic first aid skills with the right effort.
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