Safety Training Seminars
Safety Training Seminars
Taking an infant and child CPR class is one of the most important things you can do as a grandparent. It equips you with the skills to respond confidently and effectively in an emergency. If you help care for your grandchildren, knowing how to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) can make a life-or-death difference.
More than 7,000 children in the United States die from an injury each year, and many of these incidents happen at home. While we all hope you never have to use these skills, emergencies can happen when we least expect them. Being prepared means you can act quickly until professional medical help arrives.
As a grandparent, you play a unique and vital role in your grandchildren’s lives. Whether you provide regular childcare or visit occasionally, your presence brings joy and support to the family. With this special role comes a responsibility to ensure their safety. Accidents can happen quickly, and being prepared can change the outcome of a serious situation.
Common emergencies for infants and children include choking, drowning, and sudden cardiac arrest. According to the American Heart Association (AHA), about 21,000 infants and children experience cardiac arrest each year in the U.S. Immediate CPR can double or even triple a person’s chance of survival.
Many of these incidents occur at home, where a grandparent might be the only adult present. Without proper training, it is natural to feel helpless or panicked in such a high-stress situation. A CPR class replaces that fear with knowledge and confidence. You learn how to recognize the signs of an emergency and what steps to take next, ensuring the child gets the best possible care before first responders arrive.
CPR guidelines have changed significantly over the years. If you learned CPR a long time ago, your knowledge is likely outdated. For example, the sequence of compressions and breaths has been updated, and the emphasis is now on “push hard and fast” for compressions to maintain blood flow.
Modern CPR classes also teach different techniques for infants, children, and adults, because their bodies are different. An infant’s body is fragile, and the way you perform CPR on them is very different from how you would on an older child. Taking a refresher course or a new class ensures you’re using the most current and effective methods recommended by organizations like the American Heart Association and the American Red Cross.
Perhaps one of the biggest benefits of taking a CPR class is the peace of mind it provides. It reassures you and the parents of your grandchildren that the children are in safe hands. Knowing you are prepared to handle a crisis allows you to relax and fully enjoy the precious moments you spend with your family.
Parents often worry when leaving their children with others, even with trusted family members. When they know you have up-to-date CPR and first-aid training, it eases their anxiety. It demonstrates that you are a proactive and responsible caregiver, which strengthens the trust within your family unit.
Infant and child CPR classes are designed to be practical and hands-on. They focus on the specific skills needed to help a young person in distress. These courses are often tailored to be accessible and clear for everyone, regardless of prior medical knowledge. Here is a breakdown of what you can expect to learn.
The first step in any emergency is recognizing that something is wrong. Instructors will teach you how to quickly assess a situation to determine if an infant or child is unresponsive or not breathing normally. You will learn the “check, call, care” sequence: check the scene for safety and check the person, call 911 for help, and then begin to provide care.
Infants require a delicate touch, and the techniques for CPR are specific to their small size. In your class, you will practice these skills on infant-sized manikins to build muscle memory. Key skills include:
As children grow, the technique for CPR changes slightly to accommodate their larger size. Using child-sized manikins, you will learn:
Choking is a common and terrifying emergency for any caregiver. The class will teach you the specific techniques for dislodging an object from a child’s airway, which differ by age.
You will also learn what to do if the child becomes unconscious during a choking incident.
Many public places, including schools and community centers, now have AEDs available. These portable devices can analyze the heart’s rhythm and deliver an electrical shock to restore a normal heartbeat during cardiac arrest. Most comprehensive CPR courses include AED training. Instructors will show you how to use an AED on children and infants, as pediatric pads and settings are often required for younger patients.
Not all CPR classes are the same. As a grandparent, it’s important to find one that fits your needs, schedule, and learning style. Here are a few factors to consider when selecting a course.
Look for classes certified by nationally recognized organizations. The main providers in the United States are:
Local hospitals, fire departments, and community centers often host classes from these organizations. Reputable private companies, like Safety Training Seminars, are official AHA training centers that offer certified courses daily.
Some organizations offer classes specifically for new parents, grandparents, and other caregivers. These courses are often shorter and focus only on the essential skills for infant and child emergencies. They may also be non-certification courses, which can be less expensive and less intensive. However, a full certification course provides a more comprehensive learning experience.
We understand that as a grandparent, you want the best for your family. That’s why we offer American Heart Association (AHA) certified Pediatric CPR & First-Aid classes designed to give you the confidence and skills to protect your loved ones. Our blended learning format makes it easy to fit this essential training into your life. You start with an online course you can complete at your own pace, followed by a brief, hands-on skills session at one of our 70+ locations across Northern California.
Our courses are taught by experienced instructors who create a supportive and comfortable learning environment. You’ll practice on state-of-the-art manikins and receive your certification card on the same day you complete your skills test. With our low-price guarantee and daily class availability, there’s no better time to get prepared. Join the thousands of caregivers who have trusted us since 1989 and take the next step in becoming a prepared grandparent. You can view upcoming courses and book your appointment directly on our website.
While CPR requires physical effort, our instructors teach techniques to use your body weight effectively, making it manageable for adults of all ages and strengths. Classes for older adults often focus on these modifications. The most important thing is to start compressions immediately. Doing something is always better than doing nothing.
Most CPR certifications, including those from the American Heart Association, are valid for two years. After that, you will need to take a recertification course to refresh your skills and learn about any new guidelines. Regular practice helps keep your skills sharp and your confidence high.
Many reputable organizations, including the AHA and Red Cross, offer online components to their training, known as blended learning. However, for full certification, a hands-on skills session is almost always required. Be wary of online-only courses that promise certification without any in-person assessment, as they may not be recognized or provide adequate training for a real emergency.
Infant CPR (for babies under 1) involves using two fingers for compressions and delivering small puffs of air. Child CPR (for ages 1 to puberty) uses one or two hands for compressions and larger breaths. The techniques are tailored to the size and fragility of the person to ensure safety and effectiveness.
Yes, many certified instructors and training centers offer private group training. This can be a great option for the whole family to learn together in a comfortable and familiar setting. You can often schedule it at your home for added convenience.