Community Resilience

Get American Red Cross certified in CPR, First Aid, and AED for adults and pediatrics in Arcadia, FL. Hands-on training to save lives during everyday emergencies and hurricane season. Open to families, volunteers, and the DeSoto community and beyond.

Be Ready to Save a Life – Get Certified in CPR, First Aid & AED

At Hope DeSoto Long Term Recovery Group, our mission is to help our DeSoto County neighbors fully recover from disasters and build lasting resiliency. When storms hit or everyday emergencies arise, professional help can be delayed. That’s why we partner with the American Red Cross to offer high-quality CPR, First Aid, and AED certification training right here in Arcadia.

Whether you’re a parent, grandparent, teacher, coach, church volunteer, business owner, or Hope DeSoto volunteer, these life-saving skills give you the confidence to act when it matters most—for adults and for children.

What You'll Learn

Our in-person course covers essential skills for all ages:

Adult CPR, First Aid & AED

  • Recognizing cardiac and breathing emergencies
  • Performing high-quality CPR
  • Using an Automated External Defibrillator (AED)
  • Treating common first aid emergencies (cuts, burns, sprains, heat exhaustion, etc.)

Pediatric CPR, First Aid & AED

  • Infant and child-specific techniques
  • Choking relief for babies and young children
  • Age-appropriate first aid and response

Courses combine the latest science-based guidelines with practical, hands-on practice so you leave feeling prepared and confident.

Course Details

  • Format: In-person skills sessions
  • Duration: Typically 4–5 hours depending on the class
  • Certification: American Red Cross Adult & Pediatric First Aid/CPR/AED – valid for 2 years
  • Cost: $85 per person (includes materials and certification)
  • What to bring: Comfortable clothing; we provide manikins, AED trainers, and a light lunch or snacks

Upcoming Classes in DeSoto County

[Limited seats – register early!]

Group trainings available – Perfect for churches, businesses, schools, or volunteer teams. Contact us to schedule a private session at your location.

Who Should Attend?

 

  • Parents and caregivers
  • Teachers, coaches, and childcare providers
  • Hope DeSoto volunteers and disaster response teams
  • Church groups and faith-based organizations
  • Small business owners and employees
  • Anyone who wants to be ready to help family, friends, or neighbors

 

Why Get Certified with Hope DeSoto?

 

  • Protect your family and neighbors — Learn adult and pediatric skills, including how to respond to choking, bleeding, heat-related illness, and cardiac emergencies common in Florida.
  • Strengthen community resiliency — Certified individuals become an extension of our disaster response network, helping during hurricanes, floods, and shelter situations.
  • Meet professional and volunteer requirements — Certification satisfies many workplace, school, and volunteer obligations (OSHA-compliant).
  • Hands-on, expert-led training — Small classes with experienced American Red Cross instructors and realistic manikins.
  • Two-year certification — Upon successful completion, you receive a digital certificate valid for 2 years, plus access to refresher resources.