So you want to start a CPR and Safety Training Business​​

Starting a CPR training business isn't just about teaching skills, it's an opportunity to create your own income stream while making a real impact in your community. Like any business, it requires an initial investment and a business plan. A lot of CPR instructors start teaching CPR as a side hustle to generate supplemental income, while others expand and grow into a steady, reliable source of primary income. The demand for CPR and First Aid training remains consistently strong, making it a stable and sustainable business for anyone willing to learn. For example, all healthcare professionals from doctors and nurses to nurse aids, personal care aids and EMTs are required to have some type of CPR certification, in which renews every two years. This ongoing need creates a huge recurring and very reliable source of income in many communities.​​

How much is the investment ?​​

Becoming a CPR instructor is an investment in yourself but also an investment in equipment that can be used over and over again. The total cost really depends on how you choose to start. Some instructors begin small with just one adult and one infant manikin and build as they grow, while others invest in multiple manikins upfront to accommodate larger classes from the start. Whether you start with one manikin or six, your setup can be scaled based on your goals, budget, and how quickly you want to grow your business. The key is understanding that this is not a one time expense with no return. Its an investment into a skill and a business that can generate ongoing income.

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CPR Instructor Training

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To become a CPR instructor for The American Heart Association (AHA), you must take the training course. The cost for this course depends on your location and which course you are taking. The cost ranges  from $500 to $800. We teach the BLS instructor course which allows for you to become both BLS and Heartsaver certified. Our training course is $600. Unlike other training courses, ours includes business guidance, branding. marketing, equipment lists and even contract templates. In our course we dive into the business aspect and discuss ways to make money from your investment. Once certified as an AHA Instructor, you also have the opportunity to bridge to the American Red Cross and HSI at no additional cost. 

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CPR Manikins and AED Trainer

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Training equipment is the foundation of your CPR business. Hands on instruction cannot be done without it, so this is one of the most important investments you'll make starting out. We recommend Prestan Manikins as they include built in feedback system that help students meet proper compression depth and rate requirements. This allows you to confidently teach and ensure students are performing skills correctly. Depending on how you choose to start, your equipment investment can vary. A standard set of manikins including 1 adult and 1 infant model ranges from $520-600. While a 4 pack starts at $995, both models include AED devices and carrying cases. 

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If you're just getting started, you can start with a small set up teaching smaller, more controlled classes while you build clientele. As your business grows, you can reinvest and expand your equipment to accommodate larger groups. If you start bigger, investing in multiple manikins upfront allows you to teach more students at once and increase your earning potential from the beginning. Keep in mind, the recommended student to manikin ratio per AHA is 3:1. 

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An AED trainer is also required. These devices simulate a real defibrillator without delivering a shock and are essential for properly teaching CPR and AED use. The key is to start where you are, whether that's with one manikin or a full set, and scale your business as you grow.

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Bag Valve Masks

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Basic Life Support (BLS) students mainly consist of healthcare professionals and will probably make up the majority of your clientele. These students are required to renew their certification every two years, creating a consistent stream of repeat business, along with word of mouth referrals from coworkers and classmates. BLS courses also include instruction on the use of a Bag Valve Mask (BVM). These training devices typically cost approximately $29 each and are an essential component of your equipment. You will need both adult and infant BVMs. Cost of one adult and one infant BVM is approximately $54. 

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Mouthpieces and Manikin Lungs

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Each student must have an individual one-way valve to safely practice mouth-to-mask ventilations. These typically cost approximately $1 per unit. Replacement lungs are required for each manikin and should be changed between classes to maintain proper hygiene. These generally cost about $0.65 each. 

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Instructor Materials 

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All American Heart Association (AHA) and American Red Cross (ARC) courses include required instructional content that must be presented and used during every CPR training. Instructors are required to purchase the course videos for each course program they intend to teach. While this is another initial investment, it is also essential for maintaining compliance and delivering standardized, high-quality instruction and training in your classes. These materials are purchased directly from the AHA, with costs typically ranging from $170 to $400 depending on the course and materials purchased. For example a printed manual vs digital copy, or a USB downloaded video vs live streaming your videos. ​

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Audiovisual Equipment

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Now that you've obtained the required course videos, you will need a reliable method to present them during class. Many instructors begin by using an existing laptop, cellphone or iPad, which can help minimize initial startup costs. As your business grows, you may choose to invest in a dedicated device for instructional use and website management. Ensure your computer is equipped with an HDMI port or check to see if your TV offers mirrored video from a laptop, cellphone or iPad. Ensuring that you have a larger TV or projector can enhance visibility and the overall learning experience.

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​​​​​​​​​​​Website

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A professional website can be an essential added tool for your CPR training business. Select a hosting platform that offers user-friendly website builder tools to simplify setup and management. We currently use WIX and have found it to be a reliable and effective website. Its plug-and-play design makes building and maintaining a website straightforward, while also supporting scheduling, online booking, and credit card payments through both the website and mobile app.There are many other website builders available, so it is important to compare features and choose the platform that best fits your business needs. Sites can range from $40-90 monthly.

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Total initial investment

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After going over the basics, understand that starting a CPR business doesn't have to be a huge upfront purchase to start. 30 Compressions 2 Breathe, LLC started with 1 adult and 1 infant manikin, 2 bag valve masks, 2 AEDs and the BLS training video. No LLC, no insurance, no brick and mortar location or website. At the time, was only offering BLS CPR to healthcare workers at $50 per student five years ago. We used social media and word of mouth, even offering a buddy system for a free buddy to join. Spending roughly $850 to start, we hit the ground running. Offering CPR in the basement of a residential home, and doing mobile services at peoples houses, libraries and Panarea bread conference rooms. All of this to say, start where you are, move with ambition and your business will grow as you continue to work it. 

 

• Instructor Training $600 (our price)

• AHA Instructors Essential Online $42.65 +tax

• 1 adult and 1 infant manikins with AEDs $519 +tax

• 1 Adult and 1 infant BVM's $ 53.00 +tax

• AHA BLS Instructor Package $170 +tax

• TOTAL INITIAL INVESTMENT: $1,384.65 +tax

 

This initial investment can be reduced if you can rent manikins for the first few classes or until you make enough to reinvest. Your local Training Site or Center may provide equipment for rent. At 30 Compressions 2 Breathe we offer our training site and equipment to our instructors. Once you make your initial investment into your business, plan to further your business as soon as you teach enough classes to do so and continue to grow your business by adding on Heartsavers and First Aid classes and by obtaining a website, google business for reviews, LLC and insurance. A CPR business comes as both lucrative and heart warming even if left as a side hustle for extra income. 

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If you're interested in becoming an AHA CPR Instructor, reach out to us to find out how! We hold monthly small group classes. Let's get your business started! Click the button below to find out more about our instructor course and what's included. 

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