Health and Safety FAQ’s

REGISTRATION

What should I know about registering for a class?
Will I receive a confirmation letter and can I get a receipt?
Can I transfer or cancel a class?
What is the difference between a review course and a challenge course?

CLASS INFORMATION

Which courses should I take?
Can I take a class if I have a medical condition or a special educational need?
How do I know what course to take for my workplace?
How actively must I participate in class?
What if I’m late to class?
What skills will I acquire by becoming trained through the American Red Cross?
Are class sizes limited?
Are there a minimum number of students the class must have in order for it to be held?
What is the Anti-Discrimination Policy for the American Red Cross?

CERTIFICATION INFORMATION

Can lost certificates be replaced?
How long is an American Red Cross certification valid for?

What should I know about registering for a class?
Class registrations are taken on a first come first serve basis and are taken until the course fills (maximum allowed in a class is 12 students). If you have a course that needs to be completed by a certain date, we recommend registering a few weeks in advance. Course fees must be paid at the time of registration that is the only way to reserve your spot in the class. Please keep in mind that these fees are NON-REFUNDABLE unless the class is cancelled by the Red Cross. In that case you can either get a full refund or transfer to another class at no charge.

Will I receive a confirmation letter and can I get a receipt?
Yes, if you register by phone or mail, you will receive a class confirmation letter and receipt for class payment. If you register online, you will receive a confirmation letter only as you will be able to print out your own receipt. Remember to verify the date and time of your training session as it appears on your confirmation.

Can I transfer or cancel a class?
If you need to transfer or cancel a class, please let us know at least five full working days in advance so we may fill your space. Please be sure to call during regular business hours (Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m., excluding major holidays.) We will make every effort to accommodate your request, but refunds and transfers may not be honored if made without sufficient advance notice. A re-registration fee will be assessed if we cannot fill your space or if you miss your scheduled class. Please remember there is a $10 transfer fee and course fees are NONREFUNDABLE unless the course is cancelled by the Red Cross.  NOTE: we have a new fee associated with all transfers and cancellations.

What is the difference between a review course and a challenge course?
A “Review” class requires that the student has a current and valid certification in the class. It consists of a review of the course material, followed by a test.  Review courses are denoted in the Course Schedule with an ®. 

A “Challenge” class does not require a student to have certification. It is a testing session only; containing no review or teaching component. Students must provide their own books for both Review and Challenge classes.

Which courses should I take?
Learn new skills such as Adult CPR, Automated External Defibrillation (AED), First Aid, Injury-Control Modules, Infant and Child CPR, Preventing Disease Transmission (Blood borne Pathogens) and Oxygen Administration.  Courses are offered at convenient times and locations throughout Charlotte, Statesville, Lake Norman and surrounding areas.

Can I take a class if I have a medical condition or a special educational need?
We will work with you to accommodate medical conditions or disabilities as much as possible, although certification requirements vary among classes. For more information, or to pre-arrange a class, call the Health and Safety department at 704.376.1661.

How do I know what course to take for my workplace?
It depends on your organization. Please check with your employer about which certification is required.

How actively must I participate in class?
You’ll learn more—and have more fun—by participating as much as possible. Most classes include videos, group discussions and skills practice that require you to participate in hands-on activities. Since some of the skills practice takes place on the floor, please wear comfortable, non-restrictive clothing.

To receive certification, you must attend all class sessions and pass both skills and written testing.

What if I’m late to class?
Since the core of most programs is taught at the beginning of class, you won’t want to miss a minute of class time. In order to maximize training time, session starting times are firm. Late arrivals are admitted at the discretion of the instructor, but tardiness may affect certification. If you arrive too late or miss a scheduled class, a re-registration fee may be assessed to register for another class.

What skills will I acquire by becoming trained through the American Red Cross?
Learn rescue breathing, how to clear an obstructed airway, and how to perform one-rescuer CPR on victims eight years of age or older. Course also includes basic first aid skills such as how to treat life-threatening bleeding, burns, musculoskeletal injuries, shock and sudden illnesses.

Are class sizes limited?
Yes, the class can only have 12 students.

Are there a minimum number of students the class must have in order for it to be held?
Yes, we need a minimum enrollment of 4 students in order for the class to be held.

What is the Anti-Discrimination Policy for the American Red Cross?
No person will be excluded from service or classes because of race, ethnic origin, religion, handicap, gender or sexual orientation.

Can lost certificates be replaced?
We can send you replacement certificates for any courses taught at the Great Carolinas Chapter as long as your certification is still valid. Simply provide the course name, location and completion dates when making your request. A $10.00 processing fee will be assessed for each replacement certificate issued.

How long is an American Red Cross certification valid for?
The CPR/AED certification is valid for one year and the First Aid is valid for 3 years. Other Red Cross certificates such as Bloodborne Pathogens are valid for 1 year and there is no expiration date for our Babysitter’s Training certifications.