Grant Wood Area Chapter - Take a Class - Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

Allison Wilhelm

Allison Wilhelm of Cedar Rapids and became an unlikely hero just two weeks after learning CPR skills for her job.

Certification Period

First Aid certificates expire three years from the date of issue. CPR certificates expire one year from the date of issue. Your certificate should be ready for you at the end of your class.

Certification Requirements

Certification requirements dictate students be present for the entire class as well as to demonstrate partner skills on the floor. You will be eligible to receive a certificate if you participate in all activities, perform skills competently, demonstrate the ability to make appropriate decisions for care and pass a written exam.

Recommended Dress

Students should wear comfortable clothes. CPR and First Aid classes require practice on the floor and frequent movement. See Physical Conditions for accommodations.

Language Needs

Students who have a primary language other than English or who have difficulty reading English should notify the person scheduling the course, alternate testing arrangements may be made.

Physical Conditions

In order to learn the CPR and First Aid skills taught in the course you will be practicing on a partner and on a manikin. One of the required elements of this training is the ability to get down on the floor and to perform skills in order to receive certification. Accommodations, however, can be made if you inform the American Red Cross in advance that you will be unable to practice on the floor for any reason.

If you have an acute or chronic infection, or a condition that would increase your risk or the other participants’ risk of exposure to infections, we recommend postponing your enrollment. You should postpone participation in training, if you:

Have a respiratory infection, such as a cold or a sore throat.
Believe or know you have recently been exposed to any infection to which you may be susceptible.
Are showing any signs and symptoms of any disease, such as a cold, chicken pox, or mumps, or if you have a fever.
Have any cuts or sores on your hands, or in or around your mouth (for example, cold sores or a recent tooth extraction).
Know you are seropositive for hepatitis B surface antigen (HbsAg), indicating that you are currently infected with the hepatitis B virus.

Other infections and conditions are chronic, or required a longer recovery period, making it impractical to postpone training. In this instance, for your safety and the safety of others, it may be appropriate for you to request a separate manikin after you have discussed your participation with your private physician. Anyone may request the use of a separate manikin for any reason.

You should request a separate manikin if you:

Know you have any chronic infection such as indicated by long-term seropositivity (long-term positive blood tests) for hepatitis B surface antigen (HbsAg) or a positive test for antibodies to HIV (the virus that causes AIDS).
Have an acute infection or condition but are unable to postpone training.
Have a type of condition that makes you unusually susceptible to infection.

If, after reading this information, you decide that you may need to postpone your training, have your own manikin, or require other accommodations, please call the American Red Cross Hawkeye Chapter at (319) 234-8851 or the Grant Wood Area Chapter at (319) 393-3500. You will not be required to provide details in your request. If you have any questions at all about your ability to participate in this training, you should talk to the Health & Safety staff or to your physician.

American Red Cross Course Refund and Cancellation Policy
A refund will be issued for cancellations made at least five business days prior to the start of the course. When notice is given within the five day window, one transfer to a new course will be allowed without penalty. A $10 administrative fee for all other cancellations/refunds will apply. No refunds will be given for no-shows or unsuccessful completion of a course.

The American Red Cross reserves the right to cancel classes due to insufficient registration. We reserve the right to reschedule or cancel classes. If minimum enrollment is not reached two business days prior to the course date, we will either reschedule/cancel the class. Poor weather that may cause a safety hazard to class participants may also be reason for a class to be rescheduled/cancelled. If a course is cancelled, we make every effort to contact those registered by phone and/or email prior to the class. Registrants in these courses need to reschedule into another course or request a refund within 10 business days after the cancelled class.

Replacement Certification Card Request Form

If you have misplaced your Red Cross certification card, please call the Hawkeye Chapter at (319) 234-8851 or the Grant Wood Area Chapter at (319) 393-3500. A fee of $6 is collected for each replacement card requested.