I've been coming here to donate blood, platelets, and plasma for around three years, and it is always a good donation process. The staff are always thankful, and the phlebotomists always do a great job of finding veins. I highly recommend this location! read more

I came to this Red Cross location to do some training one Saturday morning. The drive from LA took a little over an hour, which was not bad at all. The only thing that sucked about it was the fact that this was farther inland, and thus it got hotter during the day. This building is farther away from the main freeways that connect San Diego to LA and the IE. It is still a nice, calm drive. The instructor hosting the training was a chill person. We connected well, as we're both veterans. The other students were a mixture of healthcare professionals, event planners, law enforcement, and industrial managers. We were training to be instructors, so this made sense. The class was more fun than anything. It flew by fast. Once we all got a turn teaching a section and getting feedback, we were good to go. The building is clean, spacious, and comfortable. The only thing is, if you come to do training here, make sure to bring food, or to plan it accordingly. The food places are a bit far from here. Overall, the training was fun in a comfortable setting. I would recommend this place, whether you come here for recerts or to certify as an instructor. read more

Just donated platelets and plasma for the second time and the phlebotomists were great (always my #1 concern). I've been donating blood and red cells for years and it's always been sort of hit and miss as to whether I get a great phlebotomist or one who seems to still be learning the ropes. My only (reluctant) complaint would be regarding the shirts which tend to be overly colorful verging on gaudy. I'm happy to donate and to promote the Red Cross, but simpler designs on black or white shirts would be preferable. One other (reluctant) complaint - the Red Cross is forever advertising various incentives for donors like gift cards to various businesses and other things. "Donate now and receive a $20 Amazon gift card!" "Donate now and receive a $10 Starbuck card!" "Donate now and receive a free limited edition (whatever)." In all the time I've been donating, I have never received nor been offered anything other than pretzels and orange juice. Of course I don't donate to get free stuff, but it might behoove the Red Cross to stop advertising in this way. It's annoying to receive multiple emails every week with all sorts of offers that never seem to materialize (at least in my experience). That said, I appreciate all the things the Red Cross does for the nation. Keep up the good work. read more

I love the American Red Cross!!! I have volunteered with the company for years and seen how much they help and take care of numerous individuals who are in the need for help. Wether it be CPR, Resiliency, Training on programs, or just assistance with an issue Red Cross has always been a great organization and resource. The parking in this area is good and there's always someone up front who is helpful and who greets you with a smile. The employees and volunteers here are great and the morale and positivity they spread is amazing!!! The American Red Cross is phenomenal!! Thank you so much for everything you do and a definite huge thank you for everyone you help!!! read more

I just finished the CPR/First Aid training class with Adriana Casanova, and what a wonderful experience! I'm applying to become a soccer coach and needed my CPR certification, so I signed up for the class and figured it would be a super boring experience. I was pleasantly surprised when I had an interactive and engaging class, making my Friday a lot more enjoyable than I ever thought I could have had! Super knowledgeable, patient, and intuitive, Adriana went above and beyond. Highly recommend!! read more

I can't count the number of times I have gotten my certification. Outside of this one, they feel like they have all been quite silly. Students taking the courses understand the seriousness and are attentive. The instructor was well informed and also had a since of humor which helped the classes roll along. There are quite a few updated procedures to keep in mind. In the end, I am quite proud I received an official pin to wear with pride on a lanyard. Hello, my name is... It looks like you are choking. I know CPR and can help. Would you like me to assist? read more

American Red Cross - The American Red Cross has modified its training. - CPR Classes Near Me - San Diego, California

YAY, I'm finally CPR certified!!! Yes, I'm in healthcare, but since I practice the business aspect in the field, it's not a requirement for my line of work. I have always wanted to partake in this event, but was never able to get my butt up early enough to get downtown on a Saturday morning. For the 7am session, I woke up at 4am and got there around 615am. The sessions fill quickly, so ensure your timeliness!!! 1. Watch a 45 min video - DRINK YOUR COFFEE PEOPLE!!! I didn't have my caffeine fix and I was struggling to keep awake. Fortunately, it only gets better. 2. Take a 20 question scantron test and you must achieve 16/20. 3. People skills session, to include the Heimlich Maneuver. 4. CPR skills session whereby you practice on mannequins. The entire process took approximately 2 hours and 15 mins. All the volunteers were AMAZING to take time out to teach these important skills. It doesn't hurt to have a little education and knowledge that may one day be useful in a life threatening situation. NOTE: For the ARC, the certification is now valid for 2 years. read more

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I am a year round donor. I have always had a good experience here--the receptionist and staff are all very friendly, attentive, well-practiced (!!!!), courteous, caring and make sure all donors remain comfortable throughout the visit. The snacks after and observation area is always clean and well stocked. I feel cared for there and encourage others to donate blood or platelets. Paula S read more

I took a BLS class in Laurel, MD with Instructor Ramsey Brown. I was very nervous about taking this class, but from the moment i walked into his class he began interacting. He is so energetic and knowledgable. He walked us through several scenarios and never once let us go on to the next step until we understood how to do each step forward to help save a life. I have taken several classes before but never one like this. He was fun and serious at the same time. I now feel confident in helping save someones life if needed. read more

This is not a basic course in basic life saving. It has a section where you even have to give a caesarian section, for crissakes! Ridiculously long too! read more

I'm not going to lie , because of the low rating I was a little anxious but all was well. Very nice experience, and I felt quite comfortable and accomplished. Thank you read more

This is a review for "Adult and Pediatric First Aid/CPR/AED" classroom class only! While taught in a nice room inside the Four Points Sheraton, this class was an overall disappointment. First, they overbooked the class and kicked 4 people out, only to have them return after getting "authorization." The course material was ok, but the instructor Greg wasn't much to talk about. He was just going thru the motions to get thru the class. He failed to properly demonstrate how to do things things they were teaching, like the CPR compressions, or the Heimlich. After seeing others clearly doing them wrong, he didn't even correct them! This class isn't taught by the Red Cross. It's contracted out by some company that is clearly disorganized and doesn't care much about the quality of the classes. I'll have to try elsewhere in 2 years because I know there is better out there. read more

Who is CPR/AED certified? This girl, right herrrrrr. http://s605.beta.photobucket.com/user/makeupndesign/media/CPR_zps3b237e52.jpg.html For those that know me, I am a gym freak. I am working towards getting my AFAA Certification for Group Fitness Instructor, as well as my Zumba Certification, both of which requires you to have a CPR/AED card under your belt. I don't know why you wouldn't have one as I feel it would be negligent to teach without one. Just sayin'. Lucky for me, my CPR partner just happened to get her Zumba certification a month ago so it was a match made in heaven...I'm so glad I took the seat next to her and introduced myself. Katie and Rachel did an excellent job at training the class on the basics of CPR, how to work an AED (Automatic External Defibrillator), and First Aid. This class was held for roughly 6 hours. There were several videos to be watched, then live demonstrations where you paired up with a partner, worked with plastic mannequins to perform CPR while using simulated AED devices. We also learned different First Aid techniques on how to treat wounds, depending on the severity. I never felt more like a mummy during this part. We did not complete a written test, however, we were quizzed verbally throughout the duration of the class. I highly recommend you jot down notes as we were not given any material to take with us besides whatever we had stored in our brains from the 8 hour session. Aside from my fitness goals, I am just happy I know how to potentially save a life...it's a great feeling of accomplishment and I plan on going back for a refresher in 3 months. Highly recommend! read more

If there is not a place for you to perform skills check, you will waste $35 and a lot of time.

What a great place to get certifications, volunteer, interact with the community, and build relationship! I wouldn't want to spend my time anywhere else. The Red Cross does more than certify people in CPR. They promote safety and preparedness for disasters, work with youth to give back to their communities, and work with our military/veterans. read more

I haven't even been able to start the online portion of my blended class that I need done before my in person class and I keep getting some error that requires me to contact my "system administrator". Tried multiple computers and nothing. My friend who is taking the same class with me is having the exact same problem. Not worth the stress/ hassle. DON'T DO THE BLENDED CLASS. read more

I bought an online course but was unable to complete it before they migrated to a new online training platform. My course did not get migrated and I couldn't log in. After spending over 2 HOURS on the phone for technical assistance, I was finally escalated to Yolanda, a manager. And her help? "Sorry, there is nothing we can do. We can refund the course and you can rebuy it for an additional $5 dollars." What? So your technical incompetence is going to cost me $5 more on top of the time wasted trying to get this all sorted out? And you can't give me access to the product I ALREADY BOUGHT? And your customer service can't do anything about it? No thanks, I'll look elsewhere for an online course! Good riddance and learns some customer service please. read more

It takes a lot for me to write a review, I'm not one to talk negatively. However, I registered online for a CPR course, an email was supplied with the location. The start time was 6:00. I had unfortunately turned into the wrong area which led me to arrive at the front door of the facility at 6:02. No doors were open, which i understood from a cautionary stance, however there was no assistance from anyone to get in and all lights were off- leading me to potentially believe this place might be closed?? This led me to Try each and every door - included the delivery door- ringing multiple door bells and knocking on windows. Still no answers. While all this is happening I find a faded sign on the window stating if you are late for a CPR class to call a number to assist you getting into the building, I did just that as I am walking around the building attempting to get in. However, this number brings you to one of those automated systems where it takes 15 mins (you hope) to get a live person on the phone. While I'm still at the front door ringing the doorbell, on the phone trying to reach a representative, I luckily see a Red Cross employee pull in. I ask if he could check to see if the class was happening bc at this point I'm thinking it was cancelled. He found the instructor somewhere inside who came out and said "I can't let you in being that shes 25mins into the class" I reply i was at the door at 6:02 and desperately trying to get in since then. She told me she checked at 6:05 - which was a blatant lie- and told me I should have been there earlier and didn't allow me in. To anyone going to the kearny Mesa location- make sure you are SUPER early bc apparently you only have one shot to get in. ***If you are holding a program or session at your establishment allow your customer better access into the building!! This was a complete nightmare!!*** I have gotten CPR completed 5 additional times in my life and DEFINITELY would recommend NOT using this site! Especially for being penalized for being late TWO minutes! read more

I like the Red Cross it's a very good cause but they have to be more selective when they hire their personnel because most of them don't know what customer service is nor people skills, I'm a regular blood donor, it pleases me to be able to give blood to help others in need. Unfortunately I will not donate to Red Cross any more I'm tired and frustrated to be treated with so much disrespect. I have gone to diferente areas to donate, Upland Rancho Cucamonga, Pomona, Claremont Glendora and everywhere it's the same from the greeter that never greets to the registration clerk to the phlebotomist They are all very rude and inattentive, and sometimes they get angry if we don't answer right away I don't know if they are paid or volunteers, but regardless, they don't have to be so rude, blood donors are volunteers too. In 1 occasion right after the phlebotomist connected me, in a very bad mood, she left and never came back to disconnect me my bag was full so I had to call another one to disconnect me, the sad part is that the Red Cross is doing nothing to better the situation, I have some members in my family as well as friend that don't donate to Red Cross anymore they still donate but through a different company the Red Cross is a very good cause but sadly these people are misrepresenting it in a very negative way read more

*Adult & Pediatric First Aid/AED/CPR Class* upon arrival, the instructor asked to see proof that we completed the online portion. I presented a printed version of my "Certificate of Completion" which lists my name, class completed via online version from American Red Cross, date completed, valid proof, & certificate ID. The instructor told me that my "Certificate of Completion" does not state that I completed the course. I passed it back to him and pointed out everything proving that it was complete & he told me that I needed to log into the website and provide proof. I went back to my seat to retrieve my phone, logged in, and showed him the course bars stating that I've reached 100% of the course then he accepted that. I ended up having to wait and sign in last because of this. I looked at my watch during class & he asked if I had somewhere to be as if I didn't know that I purchased a 2 hour class & I replied, I didn't tell u that I had to go somewhere & he said oh I thought you had somewhere to be. Meanwhile, my partner sitting directly next to me was texting on her phone & nothing was said to her. Also, during pediatric CPR he said that we could use knuckles to compress the chest if we had long nails or it was difficult to use fingers. I began my compressions using my knuckles & he began to yell Mam, Mam that's not how you do it, you're doing it wrong. I then replied, you said that we were able to..... & he cut me off mid sentence and said oh you didn't allow me to finish, you are able to use knuckles to accommodate. However, his sentence was already finished, he told me that I was doing it wrong & then when I began to mention what he said previously, he tried correcting himself. I spent the whole class with him trying to correct me on things that I did not do wrong & some that I did, while quite a few classmates weren't compressing properly, not flipping the infant over properly, not plugging the adult nose during CPR, texting and looking at their phone, but he was so busy "keeping an eye" on me the entire time that he missed quite a bit that was going on right under his nose! BTW, The class was supposed to be 2hrs 15 min but ended up running about 20/30 minutes after.... so I dealt with the nit picks for quite a while. I guess it was pick on the only black/brown person in the class day! I was beyond relieved to be done with that class! Definitely looking elsewhere when I'm due for recertification! read more

Got CPR and First Aid Certified. Loved the class. It was definitely intriguing and I learned a lot of things that I didn't know beforehand and could've used in many situations. I loved how we had time for breaks and a long lunch to go out! read more

After waking up SUPER EARLY to attend this, i'm glad I did! (4am to be exact!) It was fairly busy for the first class at 7am and thankfully we got there early around 6:!5am! Heres the rundown... 1) PAY CLOSE ATTENTION TO THE 45 MINUTE VIDEO!!! 2) Take a 20 question scantron test 3) People skills -- Asking questions like "are you okay?" and performing the Heimlich maneuver. 4) The hard part came next... CPR skills. The volunteers were cool and very helpful. They were really helpful about answering any questions we had about emergency situations. Oh did i mention the best part, its 2 years of certification! Now I can save lives... I hope(?) read more

Make sure you actually attend the class you register for. If you don't, you CANNOT reschedule, and you forfeit your payment. Yes, this information-- the no re-schedule/no refund policy is all over their website, etc. However, I personally don't think this is the best way to run a business. (not customer oriented) Then again, if you are the RED CROSS, a national business, why worry about customer friendly service? If you read the other reviews, it becomes obvious that the Red Cross classes are simply a large business, with large classes, like an assembly line. When the representative asked if I would care to reschedule and RE-PAY them, my reply was a curt: "yeah, that's NEVER gonna happen." Personally, I would recommend using any OTHER CPR/First Aid training company. I know I will. read more

I had John and Monica for my CPR/AED for Professional Rescuers and Healthcare Providers class, from 9am-4pm. I read from other reviews that they played long videos, and that coffee was a must. It turns out they only had short videos (5 mins at the most), and they made sure to engage you with practical examples through dummies or a partner system. And I have to admit John, a retired Firefighter, cracked a few jokes that helped the time fly by. Monica was there always to help, and provided some much needed expertise if John needed any confirmation on anything. There was one question that no one seemed to ask in previous classes (15 compressions and 2 ventilations for children and infants when you have two responders, compared to 30 compressions and 2 ventilations when you have 1 one responder). Monica went to her supervisor and tried to get down to the bottom of it, even though it wasn't really necessary. Monica and John really seemed liked they cared that you learned the basics that you needed for this particular class, and really helped those that had a problem in certain areas. As long as you get 80% you pass, so make sure you pay attention! They tell you when they're telling you something that might be on the practical or written exam, so take some notes to help jog your memory if you need it. And if you don't get at least 80% or more, you paid $110 for some lessons, but no certification. SO PAY ATTENTION. Thankfully I passed with our instructors. They kind of went over some parts at the end really quick right before the test to finish in time, but at least it was fresh in our mind when we took the written exam. Overall, I had a good time, and I learned some lessons that might save a life one day. read more

**This is strictly a review for the CPR/FIRST AID training** Firstly I spend 3 hours completing the modules. Furthermore, I come in for the class and I am told "you're the only one here. There are no instructors." I call American Red Cross customer service and they inform me that class was cancelled yesterday night. Firstly, I did not even receive an email. Secondly, they were only able to reschedule me in 2 weeks. There is a class in 2 days, but they said the class is full and only the instructor can make an exception. So I asked, "would you be able to contact the instructor and let he or she know my situation?" She answers, "no, sorry. I am not allowed to contact the instructors." Is this some kind of joke? If the instructors can make the exception how can they even do that none of you guys can contact them. DO NOT DO NOT WORK WITH RED CROSS. HORRIBLY ORGANIZED AND AWFUL CUSTOMER SERVICE. THEY JUST HAVE THE NAME, BUT NOTHING ELSE GOING FOR THEM. read more

I came here to recertify myself in Adult First Aid/CPR/AED. The class goes from 8:30 AM-1:45 PM in a building in the middle of an industrial park. The course mostly consists of watching videos, End of Lesson reviews/questions, and the hands-on training. You are also given a CPR mask, gauzes, gloves, and a wrap in the beginning of class. For me, the biggest downside of the class is watching the videos. Sometimes I felt like I could've taken the course online and watched these from home. Yes, the videos aren't that long, but considering you spend most of the class watching them, it's a bummer. I feel like the videos should've supplemented the lecture not BE the lecture. The instructor did talk fast and despite the class asking her to slow down, I did get lost at times. She was, on the other hand, incredibly knowledgeable about every section she went over. Despite being here for a recertification, I was surprised by how many new things I took from this course versus refreshing myself. Since the class energy at times was low, I did appreciate her outgoing personality bringing the class back together. If you decide to take a class here, I would suggest bringing a lunch, a light snack, and some coffee. There aren't many food/coffee places in close proximity where you can order your food, eat it, and be back in the 30-minutes allotted for lunch. There is a vending machine you can purchase from across the hall. As unexciting it would be to attend a five-hour course, I think I would come back here to recertify myself only so I could refresh myself with the hands-on training. I think that's what the $70's truly cover, not the videos. Coming here, I thought I would remember most of the things I learned from my last Adult First Aid/CPR/AED course, but taking this class physically gave me a nice experience that I know I would not have gotten from taking online. read more

American Red Cross - The lecture - CPR Classes Near Me - San Diego, California

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Horrible website. Came home from work and needed to renew my BBP cert. Had no problem paying the $25. However trying to actually take the course is next to impossible. You just get sent to the same 3 pages in a rotation. Total pain. Called their customer service number for help. None to be found. Same thing, call was just circulated from recording to recording. None of the email links worked nor did the dirrect links from the site. I will not use the red cross again, its a total pain in the ass. But they still have my $$. read more

I don't know why ANYBODY would ever sign up to take a CPR class from the Red Cross. I was signed up to take a blended class for today but couldnt ever get to the online class. I called this morning & was told that the class had been cancelled (they told me that they saw that a cancellation email had never been sent.)The guy signed me up for another class but said his computer needed to be rebooted but that I'd get a confirmation within 10 mins. I called back 2 hours later only to be told that I still wasn't signed up for any classes. I told the woman that I want a refund & that I would tell every nurse that I know to NEVER take a class through the Red Cross. American Heart Association is really the way to go! read more

I am very let down with the American red cross cpr training. I signed up for a course for a new health care position I am received and purchased their online training for cpr and did not realize that the company that I am working for works with a local company, STAT CPR training and that they pay for the training and the training is in person instead of online. I explained this to the American red cross and they still are refusing me refund for the course. I am a single mother and working to make ends meet and this new position is a chance for me to do just that. Until I start working for the my funds are limited and even though it is not a lot of money to some, the fee for the course is a tank of gas for me or a meal on the table. I dont understand why they need to keep my fee and not refund it when I was simply misinformed. I know they help a lot of people but to me, refusing my refund simply because " they can" is not right. I would suggest finding a CPR training else where, especially one that is in person and not just online. i am extremely upset and disappointed in this association. read more

i was trying to use the blended course to make sure it fit the needs of the company i work for. The online course was great. i enjoyed it and it was very informational. Unfortunately, when i scheduled the hands-on portion it was canceled twice with no notice. Both times took time out of my work to drive 30 mins to get to the location; 1st time it was canceled with no notice; 2nd time i was sitting in the class when i was told it was canceled due to low enrollment (other attendees did not complete the pre-requisite). Its a joke. I've had bad experiences before and this was the last time. I can't continue to try to make it work. Their program is good but they're clearly no interested in helping, its all about the $, otherwise seeing that i was in the class already, it would have moved forward. read more

I have been trying to donate blood due to the need from three hurricanes and the mass shooting two days ago. I'm in San Diego. There was no way to donate on Tuesday when I thought of it. I tried to make an appointment and was willing to go to a blood drive. No appointments available on Tuesday. I made an appointment for today. Was given an address that was the for the whole campus of University of San Diego. No blood mobile was visible. No signage on any of the roads notifying someone not familiar with the campus, as to where to go. Then there was no parking in the structure nearest to the building having the blood drive. Not even pay parking. I gave up. My blood is a type that almost anyone can use it, and they lost it today. I'm seriously not happy. read more

I would give zero stars if I could! I took my class back on January 4th for a final I had on January 22 for school I am required to obtain a adult CPR/AED certification. I scheduled the last far enough in advance that I thought I would have my certificate emailed to me as with in a few days to a week. It's now January 25 and I still do not have my certificate. I have opened multiple cases about tthis issue made multiple calls spoke to multiple people and I gett the same lame response that thE instructor has to close the class out in order for my certificate to be emailed to me and that they will forward I it to the innstructor management team or whatever they calll it that day.i think I have 13-14 cases opened with them and all I get is aahahaha email either stating the above or that my casse has been resolved and it has not! This is tHe worst organization ever!!! The instructor was decent he got the information across but he can't seem to figure out how to close a class. His name is Greg. Whe I asked them if there was any way to circumvent having to wait for the instructor they said no.. which is insane!! I hate the American Red Cross I will never use them again and I will make sure to let anyone and everyone I know to avoid this organization especially when getting a certification. read more

**This is strictly a review for the ONLINE portion of the blended CPR/FIRST AID training** I spent nearly 3 frustrating hours trying to get through the little test modules they make you do; 3 levels each for CPR and FIRST AID (6 total) consisting of several sloooow videos within each level; so were talking about like 18 videos that you cannot skip through. This wouldn't have been so frustrating if the information was given and then you were tested on it. No, they make you do a trial and error until you gather enough info to then move on to the next video. This takes forrrrrevver because when you include in all the lag times between their server and your connection you will have to repeat and repeat and repeat and repeat. The best way to describe this is like calling an 800 number and having to go through several layers of prompts only to get disconnected..... I highly recommend doing the in-person training, because this online module actually takes way more time to complete. read more

I have had a terrible experience with the Red Cross. I am an ACE certified personal trainer and have to keep an Adult CPR and AED certification. I signed up for my first class on February 25th 2020. It got cancelled for low attendance they said. So I tried again two weeks later that class was also cancelled, on a Friday. I jumped on the website and seen there would be a class the next morning on Saturday at 9:00 am. I quickly signed up for it and started the online testing part of the class. Worked on the online part and finished close to half of it by afternoon. I logged out and planned to finish the rest that night. When I logged back on around 7 that night everything was gone all my progress on the online test, and even my receipt to show I was supposed to take a class with the Red Cross the next morning. I logged onto my credit card account to make sure something didn't go wrong with my purchase. It was fine, but found another problem. The Red Cross had never refunded my money for the two cancelled classes even though I had gotten an email saying they would within 3 days. One class had been 16 days with no refund. So I called customer service. Explained everything that was going on. They were helpful and stayed on the phone for over an hour with me until my problem was fixed. I finally was able to finish my online learning at 10:00 p.m. the night before my test the next morning. I arrived at my test early and went into the Red Cross with 8 other students. The woman at the reception desk had no idea a class was being taught that morning. She had to call her manager and get him out of bed to come in. He got ahold of the instructor who was running late because he forgot something at home in Kentucky and had to go back to get it. The class was in Ohio. This wasn't a big deal it happens. The class started a half hour late. After finishing the class the instructor said our certification cards would be online in 3 days. I figure Tuesday maybe Wednesday since the class was on Saturday morning my card would be ready. It is now Thursday morning my card is not online. I called customer service again the guy told me he seen my receipt and everyone else's, but the instructor hasn't submitted that we finished the class yet he said check again to see if it is online in a few days. My review is that customer service isn't bad with the red Cross if you have hours of free time to talk and be on hold. They did finally give me my refund for the cancelled classes. I wouldn't recommend working with them if you have any other option it has caused me a lot of trouble. read more

I went to the CPR Saturday event this past weekend for the first time and was pleasantly surprised at how organized they were to handle such a large turnout. There was a group each hour and by the time I arrived at around 6:50, the 7:00 was full so I had to be in the 8:00 session. Registering was pretty easy once I found out the procedure, just an info sheet and waiver form. The certification took place with four stations. First was the video, which took the longest at about 45 minutes. The video just had demonstrations and reenactments of poorly paid actors/volunteers feigning conscious as well as unconscious discomfort. I rate the video circa early 2000s. After that was the written test station, which had everyone answer 20 questions on a Scantron form, 80% gets you a passing grade. After than came the People Skills station, which basically involved assessing the emergency and making sure the person is sleeping or unconscious, or choking. I was paired up with a nice lady who happened to be on the heavy side, and I was unable to completely wrap my arms around her waist while demoing the Heimlich maneuver. I felt a little awkward, she probably felt worse. Final station was practicing on the plastic mannequins. Two 1-second breaths and 30 chest compressions per cycle, and 5 cycles every two minutes. Got that? I was done by 10:00 which was less than the estimated 3.5 hours. I'm now a certified lifesaver for the next two years. I feel like a damn Boy Scout. read more

CPR/AED on line training. I had no choice because my work facility switched to the Red Cross training. First the on line course work takes way too long to complete but that is not my main complaint. The mannequins hooked up t computers are so frustrating and difficult after an hour on the adult mannequin I gave up. To do ventilations you have to hold the mannequin's head back as far as it can go. No one told me this so I kept doing all kinds of things to get breath in. The compressions have to be exact every time. AHA mannequins were more difficult than classroom mannequins we use to use but nothing like the RC ones. I finally after passing 2 parts and not able to perform the combination of ventilations and compressions gave up because I was getting dizzy and my arms were aching. I left the room frustrated and ran into a bunch of my colleagues. I have done hospital nursing for 40 years and told them what happened. And they said everybody cheats on this. They take another person or two in with them and get through it that way. As the day went on and I spoke to others they said there is no way you can pass that being in the room by yourself. RC should get out of the CPR business and whoever made the mannequins should be flipping burgers. read more

Terrible. I signed up for a Basic Life Support and CPR class because I need to renew my certification to work in the healthcare field. I chose a blended class because I wanted to minimize the amount of time in the classroom. The last certification I got was through the American Heart Association and that's who I will be going to for the rest of my career. I was astonished at how poor the American Red Cross online training portion was run. I was on the training site for 12 hours, probably 8 of them active. Two MAJOR downfalls of the online system is that in order to save progress, one must click SAVE and then log out of the system. If you finish the entire session through to the certificate but just close the window, all progress is lost. Seems like that's the sort of thing that should be in flashing red lights at the beginning of the training. Preeeettty important. The other thing is that the system can time out WITHOUT LETTING YOU KNOW. That's right, or at least what's what the obnoxious woman from the ARC web support team told me. I told her I would work on the training for a couple of hours, then get up and do some things around the house or run a quick errand, and come back to the computer pleasantly surprised that it hadn't timed me out. She said it did time out after two minutes, and the progress wasn't saved unless the trainee manually saved it. I said, it timed out and didn't display a window saying I was timed out and had to log in again? And it didn't freeze or give any indication that it wasn't working? She said she can't manufacture progress and yes I would have to do it all again. I asked for a partial refund for my trouble and she said snottily that she could cancel my enrollment and refund me the entire fee. I need to renew my certification by the end of June soo I think I'm stuck. But never again. I called a handful of times about this issue and the first-level call center people were all lovely. It was the snide woman at the web support team who refused to help in any way that really got under my skin...after using their utterly infuriating software. read more

Terrible experience with "blended" lifesaving class. After hours on line with the course, the system decided I had done zero progress....ZERO?I spent hours on the phone with the (800) customer support. There is no support. You do not get to speak to a technical person but a snide person who puts you on hold. There is no recourse. There is no actual technical support. I called five times and the last time, I thought I had reached helpful person, Tommy, who insisted on taking my number if we got disconnected. We got disconnected because the system automatically disconnects you if you are on hold for longer than 20 minutes. After 26 minutes..Tommy was gone. He never called me back. I had to do the course all over again. I screen shot each section as I did it. Never ever ever again...take the in person class unless you have a lot of time to waste. The ARC is a travesty. read more

This is strictly in regards to the online portion of the CPR AED for Healthcare Providers. What moron wrote the program is beyond me. They require you to get through three levels and several missions however there is NO feedback so you do not know what to fix or relearn. I have taught CPR for 35 years and it took me 8 hours to get through it. It was the most frustrating thing I have ever done. I couldn't tell you how many lives I have actually saved performing CPR as a health care provideder (to include a paramedic on an ambulance) and yet, I could not complete one of the missions. No, I am not dumb. Their program SUCKS! Customer support is hit or miss. I spoke with 5 different people throughout the day. 2 were great and helpful, the rest, were a waste of time. Do yourself a favor and get certified elsewhere. I for one will not return! read more

Red Cross online stinks. Its beyond frustrating and all Red Cross cares about is getting their 120. for the class. They couldn't care less the program you need to do takes 13 hours to get thru because its so outdated. Then I go to the hands on portion and I was NOT on the roster! Run away from this organization. Any other class would be far better. They have my 120. though and apparently thats really all that matters! read more