CPR & First
Aid Classes

Someday... You May Need to Save a Life

Learn lifesaving skills through Orcas Island Fire & Rescue. Our certified instructors teach American Red Cross courses that could help you save a family member, friend, or neighbor.

What We Offer

Adult and Pediatric First Aid / CPR / AED

First Aid / CPR / AED courses are designed to help participants:

• Understand the important role a lay responder plays in an emergency

• Describe how to recognize a potentially life-threatening emergency and gain confidence to act

• Explain how to low the risk for infection when giving care

• Describe the emergency action steps: CHECK - CALL - CARE

• Explain how to check a person who appears to be unresponsive

• Explain how to check a responsive injured or ill person

• Identify when to call 9-1-1

• Understand the difference between heart attack and cardiac arrest recognition and care

• Demonstrate high-quality CPR and use of an AED for a person who is in cardiac arrest

• Recognize the signs and symptoms of, and describe appropriate first aid care for, specific life-threatening sudden illnesses (e.g. diabetic emergency, seizures, opioid overdose, stroke, etc.)

• Demonstrate the application of direct pressure to control life-threatening bleeding

• Explain when a manufactured tourniquet should be used and describe the basic principles of using a tourniquet

• Recognize the signs and symptoms of, and describe appropriate first aid care for, some injuries and environmental emergencies (e.g. burns, hypothermia, poison exposure, etc.)

This course is offered twice a month, once as a blended-learning course and once as a full-length in-person course. If you are an organizational leader looking to book a private class for your organization outside of our regular offerings, complete the CPR Request form at the bottom of this page.

BLS Provider

Basic Life Support (BLS) is designed to train responders including nurses, physicians, EMS professionals, and other healthcare and public safety personnel to respond to cardiac and other life-threatening emergencies in adults, children, and infants. These courses are not regularly scheduled but can be arranged by submitting the CPR Request form at the bottom of the page.

Skill Boosts

When arranging a class outside of our recurring monthly offerings, an organization could choose to add any of the following “skill boosts” to their training. A skill boost includes in-depth information about recognizing and giving care for each available topic.

• Asthma and Quick-Relief Medication Administration

• Anaphylaxis and Epinephrine Administration

• Opioid Overdose and Naloxone Administration

• Life-Threatening Bleeding and Tourniquet Application

• Injuries and Splinting

Recertification and Challenge Options

For individuals with an existing or recently (within the last year) expired certification, we have Recertification and Challenge options. Recertification provides an overview of key points from the full training and then allows participants to demonstrate their abilities in the testing scenarios. The Challenge option allows participants to jump straight to the testing scenarios to demonstrate their competency. For more information on these options or to arrange a recertification or challenge class for your organization, complete the CPR Request form at the bottom of the page.

Class Details

Recurring Offerings

Each month we have 2 regularly scheduled First Aid / CPR / AED options:

• 2nd Wednesday of the Month - the in-person portion of a Blended-Learning course (5:30pm to 8:30pm)

• 4th Saturday of the Month - a full in-person course (9:00am to 3:00pm with a 30-minute break for lunch)

Blended-Learning Courses

Train on your schedule, then practice with an instructor.

A blended-learning course combines flexible online training with an in-person skills session. Participants first complete interactive, self-paced online lessons covering first aid basics, CPR, AED use, and emergency response. After finishing the online portion, you’ll attend a hands-on skills session with a certified instructor to practice techniques and complete your assessment.

To participate in a blended-learning class with us:

• Register for the next blended-learning course at the bottom of this page

• You will receive an e-mail with information on how to complete the online learning portion

• Bring proof of online course completion to the in-person skill session

Because the online learning portion is self-paced and its duration changes depending on the results of a pre-assessment, giving an accurate duration for a specific individual is challenging. The American Red Cross indicates it could take anywhere from 30 minutes to 3 hours and 30 minutes, depending on the individual.

Recurring Class Logistics

Location: Eastsound Fire Station, 45 Lavender Lane in the Public Meeting Room (unless otherwise arranged)

Certification: through American Red Cross, lasts 2 years

Private Classes: Available for businesses, organizations, and groups of 3 people or more

Payment: Pay at registration below for individuals, payment by invoice is available for private groups

Why Get Certified?

Emergency response is slower on islands. Knowing CPR and first aid could save someone's life while waiting for professional help to arrive.

Skills everyone should have: These aren't just for first responders - they're for parents, grandparents, neighbors, and anyone who wants to be prepared.

Meets workplace requirements: Satisfies OSHA, WISHA, and L&I certification requirements.

Ready to Learn?

To register for one of our recurring courses, select “Register” for the appropriate class below. For general questions about our CPR courses, contact us:

Email:cpr@orcasfire.org
Phone: (360) 376-2331