Sports Basement

Free CPR classes: why we do what we do

by Rich de Borba, general manager of SB Sunnyvale

Did you know that Sports Basement teaches free CPR and AED (Automatic External Defibrillator) classes? Over the last four years, we have certified 23 SB staffers as CPR instructors and certified approximately 6,500 people in CPR, for free! As the SB Training Center Director, I felt that it was about time to write a little bulletin about our classes, why we teach them, and what they’re all about.

Over the years, I’ve been lucky enough to receive several emails and phone calls from past students relating their stories about successfully using their training on coworkers and family members. These people are saving lives! Not only are these correspondences rewarding as an instructor, they illustrate the real reason why we continue to offer these classes for free; everyone should be allowed to learn how to save lives!

Our CPR program at Sports Basement was given life about four years ago in a meeting discussing what new, cool things we could do to serve our community. Eden Slezin, our Bryant Street store manager, had some connections with ASHI (American Health and Safety Institute) and was able to put us on the path to becoming a training center. Thus began one of the most widespread free CPR and AED programs in the Bay Area.

Today, all four of our Sports Basement locations are ASHI-certified training centers, teaching Adult, Child and Infant CPR with AED for the Community and Workplace. This brand of training is designed for teachers, gym instructors, workplace responder teams, or just for the lay person that wants to learn for their own reasons. Each class is about 2 to 3 hours long, and each of our locations generally teach about 2 to 8 classes a month. It’s important to note that our classes are not designed for people who use CPR as part of their jobs, like EMTs, nurses, or paramedics. Those classes are way more in-depth!

Interested in taking a class? Sign-up info, dates and times can be found here. Most of our CPR classes fill up in minutes, so it’s always good to plan way ahead. Please feel free to contact us with any questions you may have!

Rich is general manager of Sports Basement Sunnyvale. He is an avid cyclist, backpacker, kayaker, and Search and Rescue team member, and is always looking for a good outdoor adventure.

Posted on 10/18/2012 in All Stores, Inside the Basement, Store News | Comments (6)

6 comments:

Ellyn October 18th, 2012 at 12:49 pm
Hi Rich, I’m wondering when your next open spot is for you CPR/AED class. I have two people interested in signing up:

1. Ellyn Santos Rosa
2. Daniela Leyva

Thanks!!!
Jessica Blomstrom October 18th, 2012 at 12:55 pm
Hi Ellyn,

Our classes fill up pretty quickly, and we won’t be able to hold classes in December due to the crazy holiday season! As a result, we’re booked through until January. Be sure to keep an eye out at the CPR page linked in the article for new classes to be announced!
Roberto Velasquez October 18th, 2012 at 7:18 pm
Hi,

I got my CPR certificate with you, but lost my card. Just wondering, how do I go by getting another one? Got it this year back in Feb, March not sure.

Thanks,
Lina Fancy October 19th, 2012 at 12:56 pm
How can we sign up for January slots?? Everytime I have tried to sign up over the last few months, Presidio classes are always booked up.
Anyway, we can get on a list for January now?
Thanks so much!
Lina Fancy
Jason Stropko October 22nd, 2012 at 12:15 pm
Hello,
My partner and I are very interested in taking your next available CPR class. Please, please sign us up for the next slot: Jason Stropko, Birgit Deubner. I have not found the link leading me to the detailes for the class, can you please send me either the link or tell me when the next available slot is??
Thanks, Jason Stropko
Ariel Parrish October 22nd, 2012 at 2:05 pm
Jason,

Here’s that link again:
http://community.sportsbasement.com/free-classes/cpr/

The signup process and availability vary by store, so check that link to get the details for the store you want.