Class Offerings
- CARDIOPULMONARY RESUSCITATION (CPR) COURSES
- FIRST AID COURSES
- FIRST AID AND CPR INSTRUCTOR TRAINING
- PET FIRST AID/CPR
- WORKPLACE TRAINING COURSES
- AQUATICS COURSES
CARDIOPULMONARY RESUSCITATION (CPR) COURSES
CPR certification is valid for one year.

- Douglas County Instructor Kristy Wempe checks the skills of a student performing rescue breathing on an infant manikin during a CPR for the Professional Rescuer class.
- ADULT CPR
This course focuses on adult victims (9 years and older). Learn to recognize and care for signals of a heart attack, respiratory and cardiac emergencies.- Course Length: 4 hours
- Course Fee: $30
- Course Dates: May 3, May 31, June 28, July 12, August 9
- ADULT CPR WITH AED
The purpose of this course is to prepare individuals to provide for breathing emergencies, perform adult CPR, and use an automated external defibrillator (AED) for victims of sudden cardiac arrest.- Course Length: 4.5 hours
- Course Fee: $40
- Course Dates: May 6, May 20, June 5, June 18, June 25, July 2, July 17, July 29, Aug. 14, Aug 26
- INFANT/CHILD CPR
This hands-on skills training in infant and child CPR applies to children up to 8 years old. Learn to deal with choking, respiratory, and cardiac emergencies. Identify ways to reduce risk of injury to infants and children.- Course Length: 4.5 hours
- Course Fee: $40
- Course Dates: May 14, May 29, June 12, June 25, July 10, July 22, Aug 5, Aug 20, Aug 23
- COMMUNITY CPR
This comprehensive course teaches how to recognize and care for life threatening emergencies in infants, children, and adults.- Course Length: 7 hours
- Course Fee: $65
- Course Dates: TBA
- CPR FOR THE PROFESSIONAL RESCUER WITH AED ESSENTIALS
This course is especially for those who have a duty to respond. This course includes Adult, Infant, and Child CPR, two man rescue CPR and the use of a pocket mask and bag valve mask. This is a required course for most nursing students and lifeguards.- Course Length: 8 hours
- Course Fee: $50
- Course Dates: May 10, June 14, July 19, August 16
- CPR FOR THE PROFESSIONAL RESCUER WITH AED ESSENTIALS REVIEW
This course is designed for individuals who want to renew their certification without taking the entire class again, but feel they need to review parts of the video and have the opportunity to ask questions of the instructor before being tested on the skills. Like the 8-hour course, this class is created for those who have a duty to respond, including most nursing students and lifeguards. To be eligible for this Review, you will have to have completed a CPR-PR course during the past 12 months. Participants will review the content and skills of the course through video, Q&A, and practice skills. This Review includes Infant, Child, and Adult CPR, two-man rescue CPR, and the use of a pocket mask and bag valve mask.- Course Length: 4.5 hours
- Course Fee: $40
- Course Dates: August 7
- Course Times: 5:30 to 10:00pm
- CHALLENGE OR REVIEW (Recertification Option)
- Challenge:
The Challenge is designed for people who want to renew their CPR and/or First Aid certificates without taking the class again. If you feel that you know the material and the skills well enough to "test out", a Challenge could be just right for you. If you have a current American Red Cross or American Heart Association certificate, you may re-take the challenge as many times as needed as long as your certificate remains current. If your certificate is NOT current, you may enroll in a Challenge one time only. If you do not have a current certificate and do not pass, you will be referred to the appropriate full-length class. The person challenging is responsible for reviewing the appropriate workbook beforehand. Do not expect the instructor to coach or train. You will be expected to demonstrate all the skills and pass a written test with 80% or better to earn a new certificate. - Review:
The Review is designed for people who want to renew their CPR and/or First Aid certificate without taking the whole class again, but feel they need to review parts of the video and ask questions of the instructor before performing skills. You will need to have good skills and have taken CPR within the past 12 months and first aid within the past three years to be eligible. You will review the skills and content of the course through video, question and answer, and practice skills. -
- Course Length: 1 to 3 hours
- Course Fee: Challenges — 1=$25, 2=$45, 3=$65; Reviews $ 1=$30, 2=$55, 3=$50
- Course Dates: Year round, by appointment only
- Challenge:
- ADULT CPR WITH FIRST AID
This course teaches hands-on First Aid and Adult CPR and explains the role of AEDs in emergency cardiac care. Course combines First Aid and Adult CPR.- Course Length: 5 1/2 hours
- Course Fee: $45
- Course Dates: May 3, May 31, June 18, June 28, July 12, August 9
FIRST AID COURSES
First Aid certification is valid for three years.

- Even 9-year olds can save a life! Lawrence resident, Elyse Boxberger, receives the Certificate of Recognition for Extraordinary Personal Action from Kristy Wempe, Health & Safety Marketing Director. Two weeks after receiving Red Cross Basic Aid Training, Elyse saved the life of her friend who choked on a popsicle and was unable to breathe.

- Douglas County residents (left to right) Kayla Duncan and Abbie Wise practice one of the three correct techniques for holding a baby that was taught in an American Red Cross Babysitting class they recently attended.
- FIRST AID BASICS
Learn to recognize and care for victims of sudden illness and injuries, control bleeding, care for muscle, bone and joint injuries, and give general care for burns. Does NOT include CPR.- Course Length: 3 hours
- Course Fee: $30
- Course Dates: May 7, May 28, June 4, June 19, July 8, July 23, August 13, August 28
- BABYSITTING TRAINING
This course is ideal for current or prospective babysitter's ages 11 to 15. The course teaches the best ways to be safe. Topics covered in this 8.25 hour course are safety, safe play, basic care, first aid, leadership and professionalism. Students will receive a safety and first aid kit. It is a roomy, zippered nylon bag which includes a first aid supplies pack, compact flashlight, notepads and much more. Must attend both sessions. Held through Lawrence Parks & Recreation. Call their office to register.- Course Length: 6 hours
- Course Fee: $30
- Course Dates:
- June 24 from 9:00am to 2:00pm at Red Cross offices. Call 785-843-3550 to register.
- FIRST AID FOR LITTLE PEOPLE
artoon kid characters, Harv and Marv, guide participants through scenarios that teach all about caring for common injuries and illnesses. Topics discussed include identifying specific emergencies, treating cuts, burns, fractures, how to get up, and what to do until help arrives. This course is designed for children ages 5 to 8.- Course Length: 1 hour
- Course Fee: $8 Must be prepaid by contacting Lawrence Parks & Rec at 785-832-3450
- Course Dates: To be announced
- SPORT SAFETY TRAINING
This course is designed to provide knowledge and skills necessary to help provide a safe environment for athletes while they are participating in sports and, in an emergency, to help sustain life and minimize the consequences of injury or sudden illness until medical help arrives. Course includes Adult CPR.- Course Length: 6 hours
- Course Fee: $35
- Course Dates: Contact office to schedule your group or organization.
- TILL HELP ARRIVES
This program provides information on how to recognize an emergency, how to summon help, and what to do until professional help arrives.- Course Length: 1 hour presentation
- Course Fee: Free
- Course Dates: By appointment only

- University of Kansas student, Dale Jones, in preparation for his summer job in Colorado, performs a First Aid Challenge on Health & Safety Director Kristy Wempe.
FIRST AID AND CPR INSTRUCTOR TRAINING
- FIRST AID AND CPR INSTRUCTOR TRAINING
To become an American Red Cross Instructor you must complete the following steps:- Complete Fundamentals of Instructor Training (FIT) — 4 hours
- Successfully complete the pre-course screening — 4 hours
- Successfully complete the CPR and/or First Aid Instructor Specialty course — 12 hours
- Course Length: 24 hours
- Course Fee: $150
- Course Dates: June 10-12, July 15-17
- Course Times: Contact office
- FUNDAMENTALS OF INSTRUCTOR TRAINING
This prerequisite course is designed to orient instructor candidates to American Red Cross policy, procedures and teaching methods used in basic level courses.- Course Length: 4 hours. Pre-requisite for instructor training.
- Course Fee: N/A
- Course Dates: To be announced
- PRE-COURSE SCREENING
Checks instructor candidate competency in the skills and knowledge necessary for their desired authorization or level. Students will be tested on skills and take the basic level written tests applicable to the courses they wish to teach. Candidates are responsible for preparation prior to this session.- Course Length: 4 hours. Pre-requisite for instructor training.
- **Candidates are responsible for preparation prior to this session.**
- INSTRUCTOR SPECIALITY COURSE
Includes discussion of basic level instruction, instructor manual review, local Chapter policy and procedures, guidelines for conducting Red Cross courses.
PET FIRST AID/CPR
- NEW COURSE: PET FIRST AID/CPR
In partnership with the Lawrence Humane Society, we are excited to offer a premier training class that teaches pet owners how to respond to the emergency needs of their dog or cat. We know that when we help animals who are caught in a crisis, we would also be helping the people who care about them. Pet First Aid/CPR is the immediate and temporary care given to an injured dog or cat until it can be taken to a professional veterinarian for more definite medical care and attention. The goal of Pet First Aid is to protect both pet owners and their pets from further harm, injury, or suffering during emergencies by teaching prompt, effective actions and care that will safeguard the life of an injured pet. At the end of the course, the participant will be able to understand how to find vital signs and behaviors that are normal for a pet, identify signals of breathing emergencies and demonstrate how to provide CPR, identify life-threatening bleeding and demonstrate how bleeding can be controlled, and identify signals of sudden illness. Actual dog and cat manikins are used during this training.
Caution: An animal's behavior can become unpredictable when placed in an unfamiliar setting, around unfamiliar people and other unfamiliar animals. For the safety of our participants and our pets, animals are not allowed to attend this training!- Course Length: 3 hours
- Course Fee: $25
- Course Dates: June 11
WORKPLACE TRAINING COURSES

- The Lawrence division of Hallmark Cards has an enviable record of job safety. Nancy Smelser (pictured), long-time American Red Cross trainer at the plant, is proud that they provide special training to all their employees to prevent workplace accidents. With over 15 departments in operation, there is a Red Cross CPR and First Aid-trained employee "on the clock" in every department and on all three shifts. The Douglas County Chapter congratulates Hallmark Cards for setting the standard for quality workplace training programs.
American Red Cross Workplace Training Programs are an investment in your employees safety!
Medical emergencies and accidents on the job cost American companies billions of dollars each year in lost wages, health care expenses, lawsuits and worker's compensation claims. Reduce these costs by teaching your employees how to prevent workplace emergencies and how to properly respond to them when they do occur.
Courses offered by the Douglas County Chapter include:
- Workplace Training Adult CPR and AED
- Workplace Training Standard First Aid
- Workplace Training Back Injury Prevention
- Workplace Training Violence Awareness
- Workplace Training Slips, Trips, and Falls
- Workplace Training Ergonomics
- Preventing Disease Transmission
- Healthy Pregnancy/Healthy Baby
- NEW COURSE: BLOODBORNE PATHOGENS Learn how bloodborne pathogens are spread, how to help prevent exposure incidents by following work practice controls, using engineering controls and personal protective equipment. Learn how to recognize, report and follow up on employee exposures to infectious materials. This course satisfies OSHA compliance training requirements.
- Course Length: 2 hours
- Course Fee: $15
For more information on conducting any of these courses at your workplace, please contact our Health and Safety Programs Director at our office, 785-843-3550 or email us at redcrossdgco@sunflower.com
AQUATICS COURSES

- Kristin Tirabassi and RJ Kaleal, Lifeguard and Water Safety Instructors at the Lawrence Aquatics Center, love the professional and personal growth that their jobs offer. They both agree that the responsibility and decision-making skills required for this job is preparing them for their future careers.

- Annette McDonald, Instructor Trainer for the Douglas County Chapter, checks the skills of students enrolled in a Water Safety Instructor class.
- LIFEGUARDING TRAINING
Are you looking for a great summer job or a challenging career? American Red Cross Lifeguarding is the best place to start! Lifeguarding puts you in an exciting position, working as part of a team to help people safely enjoy the water. - This course includes training in the prevention, recognition and rescue techniques required of professional lifeguards. Training also includes First Aid, CPR for the Professional Rescuer, and AED.
Requirements include:
- 15 or older
- 300 yards of continuos swim (front crawl and breaststroke)
- Swim 20 yards, retrieve a 10 pound brick from the bottom of the pool and swim back to the wall in 1 minute and 40 seconds
- Pass all tests and skills
- Course Length: 37 hours
- Course Fee: $150
- Course Dates:
To be announced
- LIFEGUARD INSTRUCTOR
This course prepares individuals to train Lifeguards in prevention, recognition and rescue techniques. Instructor training also includes First Aid and CPR. Requirements include:- Must be 17 years of age prior to end of training (bring proof of age)
- Current Lifeguard and CPR certification
- Able to demonstrate lifeguard and CPR skills and knowledge
- Course Length: 40 hours
- Course Fee: $175
- Course Dates: To be announced

- A bond issue and half-cent sales tax increase paved the way for the new Eudora Aquatics Facility that opened in 2007. Kellian Harrell, Assistant Director, is thrilled with all the special features of the new pool such as the lazy river and zero-depth entry. With a lifeguarding crew of just ten, Kellian enjoys the family atmosphere amongst her staff and swimmers that a smaller community facility offers.
- WATER SAFETY INSTRUCTOR
The American Red Cross Water Safety Instructor Course provides instructor candidates the training needed to teach courses in the American Red Cross Swimming and Water Safety Program by developing their understanding of how to use the course materials, how to conduct training sessions and how to evaluate participants' progress. Requirements include:- 16 or older
- Currently certified in CPR, First Aid and AED
- Swim 25 yards in good form of: front crawl, back crawl, elementary backstroke, and sidestroke and 15 yards of butterfly
- Maintain position while floating in deep water for one minute
- Tread water for one minute
- Pass FIT training and skills tests
- Course Length: 36 hours
- Course Fee: $175
- Course Dates: May 27, 28, 29, 30 from 9:00 to 5:00pm at Knox Natatorium at Lawrence High School
