Free printable guides to help families, babysitters, and caregivers feel more prepared at home. Download them, print them, and keep them somewhere easy to find. And when you're ready to build real confidence, a hands-on class is the next step.
Three resources you can download right now and keep at home. Designed for babysitters, parents, and caregivers who want to feel more prepared, even before taking a class.
Printable guides are a great starting point. They help you know what to look for and what to do in common emergencies. But reading about CPR and actually performing it under pressure are two very different things. Hands-on practice with real manikins and an instructor who can correct your technique is what builds the muscle memory that shows up when it counts.
A practical, print-ready guide covering what to do before a babysitting job, how to handle emergencies, what information to get from parents, and how to stay calm and in control when something unexpected happens.
Download Babysitter PlaybookA clear, step-by-step choking response reference for children and infants. Print it, stick it on the fridge, and share it with anyone who watches your kids. Knowing the steps before an emergency happens makes all the difference.
Download Choking GuideA fillable planning sheet for organizing emergency contacts, medical information, household meeting points, and important safety details. Fill one out for each adult in the household and review it with your kids once a year.
Download Family Emergency PlanNeed a custom resource for your organization? Contact Kyndra and she can help put something together for your team.
Credible, up-to-date information from trusted sources on CPR, AED use, and emergency preparedness.
Official CPR and First Aid resources from the American Red Cross, including how-to guides, videos, and information about classes nationwide.
Visit Red CrossVerify an existing American Red Cross certification online. Helpful for confirming a card is current before sharing with an employer or licensing board. Look up any Red Cross certificate by name or card number.
Verify a CertificationQuick, practical answers to the questions we hear most before people book a class.
The safest answer is to ask your HR department or supervisor before you book anything. Most employers, nursing homes, daycares, schools, and healthcare organizations require certification from a recognized provider. Vital Skills Solutions offers American Red Cross aligned training, which is one of the most widely accepted in the country.
A few things to check with your employer: do they require a specific provider, do they require the full CPR, AED, and First Aid course, and is there a minimum renewal window before your card expires. If you're not sure, contact Kyndra before booking. She'll help you confirm the right course for your situation.
CPR certification is valid for two years from the date you complete training. After that, a renewal class is required to stay current. Most employers and licensing boards require active, unexpired certification, so tracking your expiration date matters.
There's also a practical reason to renew on time. Research shows CPR skills start to fade within months of training without practice. A renewal class reinforces your technique and keeps your response sharp. If your card is close to expiring, or already has, a renewal class gets you back on track the same day.
Class is hands-on from the first few minutes. You'll practice chest compressions and rescue breaths on manikins, learn how to use an AED step by step, and work through choking response for adults, children, and infants. Basic First Aid is included in the full certification course.
No experience is required. All equipment is provided. Kyndra keeps classes small so everyone gets real practice time, not just a demonstration they watch from the back of a room. Most individual classes run 2 to 4 hours depending on the course. You leave the same day with your digital certification card.
Practical articles to help you understand CPR, First Aid, and certification before you take a class.
If you are with someone who is unresponsive and not breathing normally, act immediately. Call 911 or tell someone nearby to call. Begin chest compressions by placing both hands on the center of the chest and pushing hard and fast, about 100 to 120 times per minute. If an AED is nearby, have someone retrieve it while you continue compressions. Do not stop until emergency responders arrive or someone trained takes over.
Reading about CPR helps you understand the steps. Hands-on practice with a trained instructor is what gives you the confidence to act under pressure.
Standard CPR combines chest compressions with rescue breaths. It is the most complete form of resuscitation and is what you learn in a certified class.
Hands-Only CPR uses chest compressions without rescue breaths. It is recommended by the American Heart Association for bystanders who witness a sudden collapse in adults. It is easier to perform in stressful situations and is better than doing nothing.
For infants, children, drowning victims, and people who collapse due to respiratory causes, full CPR with rescue breaths is strongly recommended. This is one of the key things covered in a certification class.
Infant CPR is significantly different from adult CPR. Compressions are performed with two fingers rather than the full hand, and with much lighter pressure. The rate of compressions is similar, but depth is shallower to avoid injury.
Infant rescue breaths cover both the nose and mouth at the same time. The technique requires practice to feel comfortable. Parents, grandparents, babysitters, and childcare providers especially benefit from hands-on infant CPR training, which is why we offer a dedicated Infant CPR session.
Child CPR falls between infant and adult technique depending on the size of the child. Both are covered in the full certification courses.
CPR certification is valid for two years. After that, a renewal class is required to stay current. Most employers and licensing boards require active certification, so it is important to track your expiration date.
Skills also fade over time. Studies show that CPR performance declines within months of training without practice. Taking a renewal class every two years reinforces the technique and keeps you ready to act confidently.
If you are unsure when your current certification expires, check your digital card or contact Kyndra.
Reading is a good start. A hands-on class is where real confidence comes from.
See available classes and book online in minutes.
View Individual ClassesPractical reminders for the people most likely to be first on the scene when something goes wrong at home. Print the guides above and keep these habits in place.
Common questions about CPR classes, certification, and training options.
It depends on your employer or situation. The CPR/AED + First Aid class is the most widely accepted and covers the most ground. If you only need CPR and AED, the Adult and Child CPR/AED class covers that. For parents or caregivers focused on infant safety, the Infant CPR session is the right fit. Not sure? Call or text Kyndra at (515) 446-9011 and she will help you figure it out before you book anything.
Vital Skills Solutions offers American Red Cross aligned training with a two-year certification. Most employers, schools, daycares, nursing homes, and healthcare organizations accept this. If you have a specific employer requirement, contact Kyndra before booking and she will confirm the right course for your situation.
Certification is valid for two years from the date of your class. You will receive a digital certification card the same day you complete training. When your certification is close to expiring, you can take a renewal class to stay current. If you are unsure when your card expires, check your digital card or contact Kyndra.
Classes are hands-on from start to finish. You will practice CPR compressions and rescue breaths on manikins, learn how to use an AED, and work through choking response and basic First Aid skills. No prior experience is needed and all equipment is provided. Most individual classes run between 2 and 4 hours depending on the course.
Yes. Vital Skills Solutions offers on-site group training for workplaces, schools, daycares, churches, clinics, gyms, and other organizations across Central Iowa. Kyndra travels to your location with all equipment and certifies your entire team the same day. Pricing is based on group size and course type. Learn more about group training or contact Kyndra directly to discuss scheduling.
Still have a question?
Kyndra is happy to answer anything before you book. Call, text, or send an email.
Printable resources are a solid first step. A hands-on CPR, AED, and First Aid class is where real confidence comes from. You'll practice on manikins, work with a real AED, and leave the same day with your American Red Cross aligned certification.