Cal Poly CPR Course
Why Take CPR or First Aid from the Cal Poly Health Center?
The Cal Poly Health Center’s CPR/First Aid Program is run by a group of dedicated Cal Poly students who are interested in making Cal Poly a safer place by training students, faculty, and staff in First Aid and CPR. All of our instructors are volunteers and teach simply because they know how important these skills are. Many of our instructors are EMTs, so they are extremely qualified.
Why learn CPR/First Aid?
According to the American Heart Association, over 350,000 people go into cardiac arrest outside of a hospital every year, and almost 90% of those will arrest in a home. Without circulation, permanent brain damage begins in as little as 3-5 minutes, and for every minute without being defibrillated, a person's chance of survival decreases 7%. Help will often take longer than that to arrive, so you knowing how to perform CPR and use an AED may be the difference between life and death.
While CPR is something that is not something you will use everyday, First Aid is. Our First Aid course will teach you to recognize and treat many common conditions. Whether you work in a job where you are around a lot of people or take care of young children, First Aid is a great skill to have.
Have a question you don't see answered below? Contact us at CalPolyCPR@gmail.com.
Types of Courses Offered
All public classes are scheduled through Eventbrite which charges a separate registration fee.
*Classes with an * asterisk are not regularly offered, but can be scheduled if a minimum of 8 students take the course.
Students are required to bring a copy of the required book to any class they enroll in. Links to both ebooks and paper versions are listed below the courses.
Heartsaver CPR/AED
Course Content:
This course teaches basic CPR and AED use for adults, as well as how to care for somebody who is choking.
Who should take this course?
This course is designed for the general public to learn what to do in the event somebody chokes or goes into cardiac arrest. No prior medical knowledge or experience is required.
Cost:
| Cal Poly Student/Staff | $30 |
| Non-Cal Poly Affiliate | $45 |
*Some classes include Child/Infant CPR, please register for the class which meets your needs.
All students must purchase a paper or electronic version of the textbook to take this course.
eBook: https://worldpoint.com/aha-ebook-heartsaver-first-aid-cpr-aed-student-2015.html
Paper Version: https://worldpoint.com/aha-heartsaver-first-aid-cpr-aed-student-workbook.html
Heartsaver CPR/AED/First Aid
Course Content:
In addition to basic CPR and AED use for adults and choking care, this course encompasses basic first aid. Basic first aid includes topics such as how to call 911, use of protective equipment such as gloves, bandaging and bleeding control, environmental emergencies such as hypothermia and heat stroke, and recognizing serious medical conditions.
Who should take this course?
This course is designed for the general public to learn how to recognize and respond to serious medical emergencies, perform CPR and use an AED, and perform first aid skills that you can use to treat minor illnesses and injuries. No prior medical knowledge or experience is required.
Cost:
| Cal Poly Student/Staff | $35 |
| Non-Cal Poly Affiliate | $65 |
*Some classes include Child/Infant CPR, please register for the class which meets your needs.
All students must purchase a paper or electronic version of the textbook to take this course.
eBook: https://worldpoint.com/aha-ebook-heartsaver-first-aid-cpr-aed-student-2015.html
Paper Version: https://worldpoint.com/aha-heartsaver-first-aid-cpr-aed-student-workbook.html
AHA Basic Life Support (BLS)
Course Content:
This course covers both one and two rescuer techniques for CPR and AED use in adults, children, and infants, as well as choking relief. It also covers rescue breathing, BVM techniques, and use of BLS Airways.
Who should take this course?
This course is designed for professional rescuers and healthcare workers such as EMTs, paramedics, doctors, and nurses, and is usually required for anybody working in a medical setting. While not required, having taken a previous CPR class is helpful.
Cost:
| Cal Poly Student/Staff | $35 |
| Non-Cal Poly Affiliate | $65 |
All students must purchase a paper or electronic version of the textbook to take this course.
eBook: https://worldpoint.com/aha-ebook-2015-bls-provider-manual.html
Paper Version: https://worldpoint.com/bls-provider-manual.html
Online Skills Signoff
Online skills signoffs are offered for a variety of courses, including BLS and Heartsaver Courses. The skills signoff consists of a practice session and test, usually lasting around an hour. Skills signoffs are recommended as recertification courses (as opposed to an initial course), but can be done as an initial course under certain conditions.
Please contact our staff to arrange a skills session BEFORE paying for the online portion, as our ability to schedule the session depends on the availability of our volunteers. More information on the online component can be found at onlineaha.org
Price only includes the cost of the skills practice and test: online portion paid separately to the AHA.
Variable availability and pricing, please email us for more information.
Bleeding Control
Stop the Bleed:
This 90-minute course was designed by the American College of Surgeons and is designed to teach basic bleeding control techniques such as use of tourniquets and hemostatic agents to non-medical providers of the public so they can be prepared to save lives in the event of severe bleeding emergencies. Like in cardiac arrest, in severe bleeding, bystander intervention often makes the difference between life and death, whether it be caused by a car accident, shooting, or workshop/kitchen accident. Those who complete the course will receive a course completion certification from the American College of Surgeons.
More information is available from the American College of Surgeons at https://www.bleedingcontrol.org/
Cost: FREE
Please email CalPolyCPR@gmail.com for information on scheduling a course on campus for your department or student group.
Upcoming Classes are scheduled through Eventbrite:
https://www.eventbrite.com/o/cal-poly-health-center-cprfirst-aid-program-10693711632
Frequently Asked Questions
Will Cal Poly pay for my training?
Cal Poly recognized organizations may be eligible for a Cal Poly SUAAC grant to cover part or all of your training cost. Note that this is designed for organizations such as clubs or departments to organize a class for their members, not to cover a single student’s certification (so find a group of friends before applying for the grant).
Visit https://hcs.calpoly.edu/pulse/students/suaac-funds for more information.
I don't have any medical training, will I be able to pass the course?
Yes! Both the American Heart Association Heartsaver CPR/AED and Heartsaver First Aid courses are designed for people who have no prior medical training. With simple videos and helpful instructors, nobody should have a problem succeeding in the course.
What should I expect from the course?
The courses all consist of a lecture portion where a combination of instructors and videos will be used to teach the content. You will then have a chance to practice the skills you are learning with equipment and mannequins.
Can I be sued for doing CPR or providing First Aid?
If you are not a paid medical professional and you are doing only what you have been certified to do, you are protected by the Good Samaritan Law. As long as you stay within your scope, act in a reasonable manner, and are not being paid, the good Samaritan Law gives you immunity from liability. California Health and Safety Code Section 1799.102 (2) states: "Except for those persons specified in subdivision (a), no person who in good faith, and not for compensation, renders emergency medical or nonmedical care or assistance at the scene of an emergency shall be liable for civil damages resulting from any act or omission other than an act or omission constituting gross negligence or willful or wanton misconduct."
Will I hurt the person by doing CPR?
No! If a person's heart stops beating, they are good as dead without CPR. Therefore it is very difficult to make the situation worse, but you have a chance at saving their life. When in doubt, it is better to do CPR than not to.
What is an AED and why do I need to know how to use one?
An Automated External Defibrillator (AED) is a device used to restart somebody's heart when their heart stops beating (cardiac arrest). While CPR can help save somebody's life, the sooner their heart is restarted, the better the chance that they will survive. While most people don't own AEDs, more and more of them are being placed in public areas so that people who have been trained to use one can use them in the event they are needed. All public gyms and many buildings on Cal Poly’s campus have them.
Can and AED shock somebody who doesn't need to be shocked?
No! AEDs are automated, all you need to do it attach the pads to the patient and a computer will decide if they need to be shocked. They are designed so it is impossible for them to shock somebody who doesn't need to be.
How long are the certifications good for?
All American Heart Association’s certifications are good for two years, which is the standard across most (if not all) CPR and First Aid courses, and the maximum allowed for AED training by California law.
What should I wear to the class?
You should wear comfortable clothing that you can move around in, as you will be kneeling and bending over to do the CPR compressions.
Why should I take CPR from the American Heart Association instead of the Red Cross?
Both the American Heart Association and Red Cross are considered the gold standard for CPR and First Aid courses. The American Heart Association updates their courses based on the latest science, teaching the most effective CPR techniques.
Do you do bulk discounts?
Currently we do not offer any bulk discounts, however if you are a Cal Poly affiliated group, you may be eligible for a Cal Poly SUAAC grant to cover part or all of your training cost. Visit https://hcs.calpoly.edu/pulse/students/suaac-funds for more information.
Can you hold classes off campus?
Yes! If you are Cal Poly affiliated and have a group of people, we can hold courses off campus. If you are not affiliated with Cal Poly, we are unable to hold off campus classes, however, you can email us and we will send you recommendations for other programs which can.
Do I need a textbook?
Yes! The American Heart Association requires students to have a copy of the textbook during class and have access to it after the class, and we are not permitted to loan you one. Therefore, everybody must have a textbook. If you are a Cal Poly student and you already have a textbook, you may bring it with you and not purchase a new one. Make sure you have purchased a textbook with 2015 guidelines!