Find a Free CPR Class around San Francisco and the Bay Area

Free CPR Class in the Bay Area

Our instructors are sometimes asked by people about where they can get free CPR classes and first aid training in the Bay Area and around California.

Since these are such vital skills that could really make the difference between life and death for someone some day, we’re delighted to report that there are indeed a few options for free education nearby if you’d like to get some basic skills.

However, it goes without saying that a paid course will be more detailed, better equipped, and comes with proper certification, licensing, and support. See here for more details about what full courses like ours cover.

Who offers free CPR courses in the Bay Area?

If you are a regular citizen, your only option for completely no-cost training locally is the Hands Only CPR run by the American Red Cross and the American Heart Association. These run quite infrequently, only around once every 3 months. Also sometimes called CPR Saturday or Sidewalk CPR, you won’t receive any certification from these classes, but you can get some experience with the basic CPR steps and you’ll have the opportunity to practice on a manikin.

The second option is not free but is very low-cost at only $15 for 3 classes. This is an American Safety and Health Institute basic CPR course run by the Spots Basement in Walnut Creek. This is not a BLS course and thus not suitable for medical professionals. See more about BLS courses and renewal.

Free CPR Training for Charities and Non-Profits

Unfortunately it is very difficult to find free CPR classes, even for non-profits.  The cost of equipment and instructors, coupled with the fact that most CPR companies are small, family run buisinesses, makes it very difficult to discount.  We offer a 10% discount on CPR training for non-profits, but finding free training can be challenging.

If you own or work for a non-profit in the San Francisco Bay Area, feel free to contact us and tell us more about why you need the training, and for whom.  In limited cases, we’re able to offer further reduced rates.

CPR Certification Free? (With Cards)

Unfortunately, we are not aware of any typical option to get a CPR certification free of charge, where you get the offcial card. That’s because the courses which provide CPR cards are in-depth and incur lots of costs to run. The equipment they use, such as the AEDs and manikins, is specialist and expensive, not to mention paying the instructor, licensing fees, insurance, and so on and so forth.

We want as many people as possible to be CPR certified, but remember that trainers need to pay their bills, too! Of course there are many companies and government agencies that want to provide free training, but as with most things in life, the official CPR certification cards aren’t free.

Free CPR Certification Online

Also, beware that online CPR certifications are all a scam. You cannot get CPR certified online and any certificate you print off after a few minutes will be completely unacceptable if you are looking to get licensed to fulfil work requirements. Remember, as with anything you see online, if it seems too good to be true, it usually is.

Don’t waste your time and money on a fraudulent CPR course, get the real thing so you will be properly prepared for emergencies.

That being said, some online training programs will let you take the course for free and only charge you for the “certification”.  Generally speaking these courses have good information and are well asssembeled making them great for learning CPR in a didactic and informational way.  What you will not get, is the hands-on elements, the ability to discuss anything with a live instructor, or a valid certification.  If you don’t need these, online courses can be a great and free way learn all abour CPR, first-aid, and AED use.

Real CPR and First Aid Licensing

You need to take a real accredited course if you are a medical professional/student, want to get certified for work, or just want the most reliable training. CPR Education works all around the Bay Area and can help you figure out which course will meet your needs best.

View all of our courses here and locations here. We will also come to you at your place of work or even at home!

Certification validation is here