Frequently Asked Questions
Is this class certified with the American Heart Association?
Yes. Our Basic Life Support class is certified with the American Heart Association (AHA). We also offer BLS, CPR, First Aid, and Babysitting certification through the American Red Cross. In addition to our safety classes, we also offer DCF certified Parenting Classes.
How long is the class?
The full instructor led BLS class is scheduled to be 4 hours, the BLS renewal class is scheduled to be 2 hours, and the BLS skills session is scheduled to be 1 hour. Times may vary based on the number of students and if you need remediation in order to pass the class. First Aid classes are typically 3-4 hours long. DCF Parenting Classes are either 4, 8, 12, or 16 hours long.
How long is the certification good for?
All Heart Association and Red Cross certifications are good for 2-years. DCF certificates have no known expiration date.
How large are the classes?
We try to maintain small class sizes. Our classroom holds a maximum of 12 students, a single instructor is only allowed to have 9 students, but we try to keep our classes to 6 or fewer students.
Is this class good for working at a hospital?
Yes. our BLS classes meet the requirements for all hospital and nursing settings, including nursing homes. We are also an authorized provider for Lakeland Regional Hospital.
Is the BLS class for professional providers/healthcare providers?
Yes. All BLS classes are for professional providers/healthcare providers.
Is the BLS class a CPR class?
BLS Classes are all considered CPR/AED classes and they are all geared at professionals that have a duty to respond to medical emergencies. There is no such thing as a BLS class that is not CPR/AED. You are NOT required to be a medical professional to take a BLS class.
What's the difference between a BLS class and a regular CPR class?
A regular CPR class is for lay-responders. A lay responder is a person that likely has no formal medical training outside of the CPR class (teachers, daycare workers, and the like). BLS classes are for professional providers whom are required to act in medical emergencies while on duty (RNs, CNAs, Medical Doctors, Dentists, Pharmacists, and the like).
Do I get a CPR card after taking the class?
You will receive your card immediately after successful completion of the class. The majority of the cards are electronic and will be emailed to you in PDF.
Do you offer other classes?
Yes, we offer a wide variety of classes that may not appear on our schedule because they are not offered on a regular basis. We offer an American Red Cross Babysitters certification with First Aid/CPR once or twice per year. We also offer a Wilderness First AID/CPR class one or two times per year. New classes are added on a regular basis as we develop new curriculum and obtain new certifications.
What if I want to be an instructor?
We are one of the quickest, easiest, and most affordable ways to become an instructor, with excellent support services. We are an Authorized Training Center for the American Red Cross and we are a Training Site for the American Heart Association. If you are already an instructor for either of the two major certification bodies, we are taking on new instructors to be aligned with us. We are teaching American Heart Association Instructor classes and our Instructor schedule is located on our booking site along with our provider courses.
What's the difference between a Provider class and a Renewal class?
A renewal class is for a person that has a current, valid, unexpired card of the same type, from the same issuing authority. For example, if you want to take the American Heart Association BLS Renewal class, you must posses a current (unexpired), valid (shows up on the AHA verification website). If you card is expired, you must take the full provider course. If your card cannot be verified on the AHA website, you must take the full provider course. If your card is issued by another certifying body, such as ASHI, you cannot take an AHA renewal class, but you can take an ASHI renewal class.
My certificate from another school is not showing up on the certifying body's website. Why is that?
Unfortunately, some instructors (at other schools) have avoided some of the cost association with conducting these types of classes and have not officially submitted their paperwork to the certifying body (AHA or ARC), only giving out a physical card. When this happens, you are unknowingly putting yourself and your employer at legal risk. When you go to another school or instructor that does things legitimately, you are not able to complete a renewal class, but they will always provide you with the full course. We have never engaged in this practice at Discite Institute, and we never will. All of our certified classes result in an official certification that can be verified by the certifying body. You and your employer are legally covered when you take our classes because you receive official certificates.
