FAQ for CPR certification in Orange County, Riverside & San Bernardino

CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) is an emergency lifesaving procedure used when the heart stops beating — cardiac arrest. Chest compressions keep blood flowing to the brain and other organs until advanced help arrives. The American Heart Association states that immediate CPR can double or triple a person’s chance of survival after cardiac arrest. Sunshine CPR Training teaches AHA-aligned CPR in BLS and Heartsaver classes for Orange County, Riverside County, and San Bernardino County.

The AHA describes cardiac arrest as an electrical problem: the heart malfunctions and stops beating unexpectedly. A heart attack is a circulation problem: blood flow to the heart is blocked. A heart attack can lead to cardiac arrest, but they are not the same. CPR is for cardiac arrest (unresponsive and not breathing normally). If you are unsure, call 9-1-1.

When the heart stops, blood flow stops. Immediate CPR — even if it is not perfect — can keep some blood moving and buy time for EMS and an AED. The AHA includes early CPR as a critical link in the Chain of Survival.

For adult out-of-hospital cardiac arrest, the AHA Chain of Survival is: recognize cardiac arrest and call 9-1-1; early CPR with an emphasis on chest compressions; rapid defibrillation with an AED; advanced resuscitation by EMS; post-cardiac arrest care; and recovery. Lay rescuers own the first three links. That is what Heartsaver and BLS certification prepare you to do.

Hands-Only CPR is for bystanders who see a teen or adult suddenly collapse. AHA steps: call 9-1-1, then push hard and fast in the center of the chest. No mouth-to-mouth. It is better than doing nothing. Full Heartsaver and BLS courses still teach conventional CPR with breaths, plus child and infant skills, AED use, and choking relief.

AHA high-quality CPR means pushing hard and fast (about 100–120 compressions per minute), using adequate depth (at least 2 inches / 5 cm for adults, not deeper than 2.4 inches / 6 cm), allowing full chest recoil, using proper hand placement, minimizing interruptions, and avoiding excessive breaths. We practice this on manikins in class. Reading about CPR is not a substitute for a skills session.

An AED (automated external defibrillator) can treat a shockable cardiac-arrest rhythm. The AHA stresses rapid defibrillation together with CPR. AEDs give spoken prompts. Heartsaver CPR AED and BLS both include AED practice.

Yes. The AHA encourages Hands-Only CPR for sudden adult or teen collapse even without a card. Certification still matters: you learn when to start, how deep and fast to push, how to use an AED, and what to do for infants, children, and choking. If you need a 2-year AHA eCard for work, school, or healthcare, take Heartsaver or BLS with Sunshine CPR Training.

Yes. Courses follow current American Heart Association CPR and ECC guidelines. Students who successfully complete the class receive an official 2-year AHA eCard. Training is taught by an AHA Aligned Instructor.

Individual Full Course starting prices: BLS Provider from $85; Heartsaver CPR AED from $79; Heartsaver CPR + First Aid from $89. Group and on-site training is a custom quote. Your exact rate may be lower for Skills-Only or returning Sunshine CPR students. Use Get your price to see your total. Payment for individual classes is collected when you book.

BLS (Basic Life Support) is the healthcare-provider course for nurses, dental teams, EMTs, and clinical staff. Heartsaver CPR AED is for workplaces, schools, coaches, parents, and the public — adult, child, and infant CPR plus AED. Heartsaver CPR + First Aid adds injury care, bleeding control, and medical emergencies. All are AHA programs with a 2-year eCard after you pass.

Healthcare providers and clinical teams who must hold a current AHA BLS Provider card. If you work in a hospital, clinic, dental office, EMS, or similar setting, choose BLS.

Teachers, coaches, office teams, parents, and anyone who needs workplace or community CPR with AED. Choose Heartsaver CPR + First Aid if your role also needs first aid (childcare, schools, many OSHA-style workplace plans).

Full Course is recommended. You complete knowledge and skills with us; you do not need to buy an AHA online lesson first. Choose Skills-Only only if you already finished the official AHA online portion and can upload/bring the completion certificate.

Typical Full Course times: BLS about 4.5 hours; Heartsaver CPR AED about 2.5 hours; Heartsaver CPR + First Aid about 4.5 hours. Skills-Only is shorter because the knowledge portion is already done.

Individual classes are limited to 8 students so everyone gets adequate manikin time. Larger workplace groups are quoted on the Group Training page.

Weekend classes, typically Saturday and Sunday between 9:00 AM and 6:00 PM, so you do not have to take a weekday off work.

Orange County, Riverside County, and San Bernardino County. Contact us with your city or full address and we will confirm whether we can serve your location before you book. Group training is on-site at the workplace when we accept the job.

In most cases, yes. After you successfully complete skills testing, we issue the official 2-year American Heart Association eCard the same day through an authorized AHA Training Center.

Individual classes are paid when you book on the calendar. Group and on-site training is quoted first; you do not self-book those on the public calendar.

Wear clothes you can move in and get on the floor. CPR practice is done kneeling at manikin level. Closed-toe shoes are recommended.

Yes. BLS and Heartsaver include adult, child, and infant CPR, AED, and choking relief, following current AHA guidelines.

Yes. Request a quote on the Group Training page. Include company name, headcount, full address, course type, and preferred dates. We confirm availability and send pricing. Do not use the public individual calendar for large on-site groups.

Returning Sunshine CPR students receive a renewal rate automatically in Get your price. If your card is from another provider, you are priced as a first-time student with us. Promo codes are for first-time students only and are not listed on the site.

AHA BLS and Heartsaver eCards are valid for 2 years. Renew before expiration. Returning Sunshine CPR students use Get your price and indicate they have trained with us before.

Use the group quote form and describe the card you need, or call (949) 264-3297. We will tell you if we can teach it.