Hey folks, I'm looking for quality First Aid and CPR training on Oahu.  The courses I have come across look like they are geared toward professionals who just need re-certification.  I don't care about renewing certification, I want the skills.  I understand I won't become an expert in a one day course, but it's a start and I don't want to burn $50+ on a re-certification course.  Any suggestions?

A friend suggested I volunteer at a fire station.  I have not tried that avenue yet, though it was an intriguing idea. 

Options I know of:
Red Cross
Last Minute CPR & First Aid

Anyone have experience with these courses or others?

Thanks!

Easiest thing to do is simply sign up for an American Red Cross class that covers CPR/First Aid/AED certification. Class is pretty simple, and FA/AED cert is good for 2 years while CPR is good for 1.

CPR class is actually good to review yearly. Since my first certification back in the early 2000's, the criteria has changed a lot. I originally was taught 5 compressions to 2 breaths, we're now at 30 to 1, so its good to keep you skill set up to date.

Hi, I've taken a couple of  American Red Cross classes  and they are doing alot of cool stuff when it comes to Emergency Response and Wilderness First aid.  They have recently updated their classes and now include TCCC concepts in their scenerio based courses.

kaneohegrown- thanks, but the whole problem from me is that I thought the emphasis was on certification when I am interested in the actual training.  Wish there was like a month long coarse or something.

thumbless- Oh I didn't know this!  It's been a year or so since I've checked their schedule, I'll have to look again, thanks!

HDF will be doing First Aid CPR classes come April (I hope).  I am taking the American Heart Association BLS and Heartsaver provider / first aid / aed courses this March.  Our goal in the future is to help provide all the education one can use to survive until help arrives -- all under one roof.

HDF will be doing First Aid CPR classes come April (I hope).  I am taking the American Heart Association BLS and Heartsaver provider / first aid / aed courses this March.  Our goal in the future is to help provide all the education one can use to survive until help arrives -- all under one roof.

Hey thanks!  Sorry just say your response today.  That's awesome.  Do you think you'll be having someone with some serious medical or first responders experience teacher the course?  Or are you saying that you'll be eventually teaching it?  I mean, I have no idea if you have any of that sort of experience, but part of my concern with the red cross courses is how much experience the instructors have. 

Anyway, thanks again, hope to be hearing more about it soon!

Hey thanks!  Sorry just say your response today.  That's awesome.  Do you think you'll be having someone with some serious medical or first responders experience teacher the course?  Or are you saying that you'll be eventually teaching it?  I mean, I have no idea if you have any of that sort of experience, but part of my concern with the red cross courses is how much experience the instructors have. 

Anyway, thanks again, hope to be hearing more about it soon!

Chris will be an instructor for First Aid and CPR/AED once he is finished. Unfortunately, those courses are based on set cirriculum and to remain certified by the American Heart Association, all courses taught must adhere to the established cirriculum. That's not to say he couldn't teach another course that wasn't AHA affilated, that would address other, more advanced or specialized skills. Once Chris is set up and running, I would be willing to help set up a few specialized or advanced courses if he was willing.

Chris will be an instructor for First Aid and CPR/AED once he is finished. Unfortunately, those courses are based on set cirriculum and to remain certified by the American Heart Association, all courses taught must adhere to the established cirriculum. That's not to say he couldn't teach another course that wasn't AHA affilated, that would address other, more advanced or specialized skills. Once Chris is set up and running, I would be willing to help set up a few specialized or advanced courses if he was willing.

As bill said, CPR / First aid follows a pretty stringent outline and plan. Honestly, it is like page by page of a video (which we are not allowed to interrupt per AHA guidelines).  It is very likely that we may setup more combat type stuff in the future, although I'm not sure how far HiCarry's certifications go.  But I think it could be beneficial to teach people some basic field aid in a sort of 'progression' format (i.e. take this class, then this one, then this). 

I just completed an AHA instructor, while I don't have experience actually performing CPR like some (see - HiCarry, who has worked in the medical field and Emergency Room), I think I do alright at presenting material in a fashion that keeps people interested, and is easily understood.

As bill said, CPR / First aid follows a pretty stringent outline and plan. Honestly, it is like page by page of a video (which we are not allowed to interrupt per AHA guidelines).  It is very likely that we may setup more combat type stuff in the future, although I'm not sure how far HiCarry's certifications go.  But I think it could be beneficial to teach people some basic field aid in a sort of 'progression' format (i.e. take this class, then this one, then this). 

I just completed an AHA instructor, while I don't have experience actually performing CPR like some (see - HiCarry, who has worked in the medical field and Emergency Room), I think I do alright at presenting material in a fashion that keeps people interested, and is easily understood.

Thanks for that clarification, Chris.  I didn't realize that about CPR/First Aid.  I guess I'm getting a little ahead of myself since I haven't even taken a CPR/First Aid class, but I like the idea of having a progression of classes to move on to. 

Do they teach the heimlech maneuver during the AHA CPR class?

I took the red cross basic first aid and cpr training last Wednesday and its not called that anymore. They call it something new and we were trained in how to use it. Pretty much same thing but different name.

I took the red cross basic first aid and cpr training last Wednesday and its not called that anymore. They call it something new and we were trained in how to use it. Pretty much same thing but different name.

Oh thanks for responding, I forgot I posted here.  I meant to call a local CPR class to inquire, totally forgot.  I'm under the impression that I have to take the first aid class to learn the heimlech and the CPR class to learn CPR.   Kinda sucks if that's the case. 

Check the Hawaii State and County websites...

It's free and you can sign up for emails on free and low cost training and work shops for disaster prepparedness, CRP, first aid, etc., etc....

I've actually got alerts to programs on isle.... Just waiting for one that I want and close to home....

We need to take advantage.... our tax $$$$ 

I took the red cross basic first aid and cpr training last Wednesday and its not called that anymore. They call it something new and we were trained in how to use it. Pretty much same thing but different name.

ARC seems to be a behind the times imo; AHA seems to be where it is really at, but they are very political, lots of paper work, and some what tedious in dealing with others it seems.   Other groups, which HiCarry could elaborate on, seem to be more relaxed and just to the point.   

I'm trying to do my monitor and stuff and then I will have my AHA instructor cert for BLS and anything under it.

ARC seems to be a behind the times imo; AHA seems to be where it is really at, but they are very political, lots of paper work, and some what tedious in dealing with others it seems.   Other groups, which HiCarry could elaborate on, seem to be more relaxed and just to the point.   

I'm trying to do my monitor and stuff and then I will have my AHA instructor cert for BLS and anything under it.

Yes i agree about the ARC classes.  I never took a class in years so it was at least a good refreshing course about the new, latest and greatest.

Just finished up a wilderness first aid and cpr course.  Good fun.  Kind of opened up my eyes to how different companies teach different techniques and ways.  I enjoyed this class way more.

2asupport,

I teach classes for American Heart Association, American Safety & Health Institute, Emergency Care & Safety Institute, American Academy of Pediatrics, EMS Safety, ProTrainings, and National Safety Council. Each has their various costs and benefits, just depends on exactly what you are looking for.

Some of the courses I teach are:

Basic First Aid
Advanced First Aid
Wilderness First Aid
Wilderness First Responder
Wilderness EMT Upgrade
CPR & AED

We also offer 1 on 1 classes and night and weekend classes where others do not.

It sounds like you are wanting more of an Advanced First Aid class instead of just the basic classes that American Red Cross and others offer. I would suggest our Advanced First Aid or Wilderness First Responder classes, they might be what you are looking for.

oahucprtraining.com