Frequently asked questions.

AHA Heartsaver First Aid, CPR & AED is designed for workplace teams and community members. AHA Basic Life Support (BLS) is intended for healthcare professionals and medical students, with single-rescuer and team skills. Check the exact course your employer or school requires before choosing. Compare course options →

AHA Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) focuses on healthcare team communication and the recognition and management of serious cardiovascular emergencies. Choose the 16-hour, two-day Initial Provider course, an 8-hour Provider Update, or a 1-hour HeartCode skills-only session after separately purchased AHA online learning. Compare ACLS formats →

AHA Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) is for healthcare providers who respond to emergencies involving infants and children. Choose the 16-hour, two-day Initial Provider course, an 8-hour Provider Update, or a 1-hour HeartCode skills-only session after separately purchased AHA online learning. Compare PALS formats →

Yes. The course is open to people interested in learning bleeding-control skills, including students, teachers and community members. Training covers direct pressure, wound packing and tourniquet use. GMEC also offers it as an add-on to BLS or Heartsaver Provider training in Fairhaven; ask when arranging your class.

Yes. GMEC offers online continuing education for EMTs, AEMTs and paramedics, with live and self-paced learning options. Topics include airway care, documentation, responder safety and National Core Competency Program content. The published online subscription provides one year of access. Confirm that your selected courses meet your renewal needs.

Yes. GMEC offers CPR/AED on its own or combined with First Aid in one session. Tell the team what your workplace, school or organization requires so you register for the correct combination. Explore CPR & First Aid →

The scheduled AHA Heartsaver First Aid, CPR & AED course lasts 4 hours. The separate AHA Heartsaver Total course for captains and mariners lasts 4.5 hours. Explore First Aid and CPR training →

The AHA BLS Provider CPR Course lasts 4.5 hours. The AHA HeartCode BLS hands-on skills session lasts 1 hour. Skills-only students must purchase and pay for the AHA online course separately, complete it before class, and bring their completion certificate. Online learning time is additional. Explore BLS training →

For GMEC's blended CPR, BLS, ACLS and PALS courses, online learning is only one part of the course. You must also complete the required in-person skills session. Arrange that session with GMEC and check the course-specific completion requirements before booking.

Bring your AHA online completion certificate confirming that you finished HeartCode BLS Online before class. You must purchase and pay for the online course yourself through AHA. A purchase receipt alone is not proof of completion.

Purchase and pay for HeartCode ACLS Online directly through AHA, complete all online didactic coursework, then attend GMEC’s 1-hour hands-on skills session. Bring your AHA online completion certificate as confirmation. The $155 GMEC fee covers skills only; online learning is separate and must be completed before class.

Yes. Choose an AHA HeartCode PALS skills-session date from the calendar. The GMEC session is 1 hour and costs $155. You must purchase and pay for HeartCode PALS Online directly through AHA, finish the online didactic before attending, and bring your AHA online completion certificate. The online fee is not included.

GMEC offers an in-person evening program and a hybrid program combining online learning with a final in-person skills week. The programs are described as approximately 12 weeks. Exact cohort dates, meeting days and availability should be confirmed before enrollment. Explore EMT programs →

No. The hybrid program includes approximately 11 weeks of online coursework with weekly deadlines, quizzes, lectures and required online meetings. The final week is mandatory, full-day practical training in Fairhaven. Confirm every required day, including any Saturday sessions, before committing to a cohort.

The published evening format meets Monday and Wednesday from 6–10 PM, plus six Saturdays from 9 AM–5 PM during the course. Reading, quizzes and exams also require work at home. Ask for your cohort's complete calendar so you can plan around all required sessions.

GMEC's current program information says the daytime course is not being offered. Contact the office about future availability or compare the evening and hybrid options.

Core subjects include patient assessment, airway management, trauma care, medical emergencies and safe patient transport. Students combine coursework with practical skills and scenario-based learning. Course completion includes written and skills evaluations.

No. GMEC lists the state practical and national cognitive exams as separate from the course, with separate fees. Completing the class is one step in the certification process. Ask the office for the current exam schedule, fees and application instructions before making your final budget.

Both the evening and hybrid formats include work beyond scheduled class meetings. Evening students complete reading, quizzes and exams at home; hybrid students have weekly online assignments and required meetings. Review the full coursework and attendance expectations in your welcome materials and student handbook.

The course calendar lists AHA BLS, Heartsaver First Aid/CPR, ACLS and PALS dates, plus EMT programs on their starting dates. Open a listing and select Register; the matching course date is selected for you. One registration covers both days of an Initial ACLS or PALS course. EMT students also choose a required package. Contact GMEC for mariner course dates. View the course calendar →

The $500 EMT registration fee is non-refundable and credited toward tuition. Choose registration now or pay tuition in full at checkout. Add one required package: Essential $319, Professional $419 or Premium $519. Registration-only checkout starts at $819, $919 or $1,019 before materials tax and optional shipping. Compare the student packages →

You can pay tuition in full when enrolling: $1,949 for the night program or $2,049 for hybrid, plus your required package. If you choose the $500 registration option, the remaining tuition is $1,449 for night or $1,549 for hybrid, arranged separately with GMEC. Financing is available for that remaining balance; contact GMEC for details.

Watch for an additional email containing your welcome letter and student handbook, along with the invoice for any remaining tuition. Read these materials for course expectations and next steps. If they have not arrived, contact the GMEC office before your program begins.

The 4-hour AHA Heartsaver First Aid, CPR & AED course is $90. The 4.5-hour AHA BLS Provider CPR Course is $75. The 1-hour AHA HeartCode BLS skills-only session is $60; purchase the online portion separately from AHA. For full BLS training, bring your required manual, buy one for $27, or choose the $7 day-of-class rental. Materials are subject to tax.

No. GMEC hands-on skills sessions cost $60 for BLS or $155 for ACLS or PALS. You must purchase and pay for the online didactic yourself directly through AHA: HeartCode BLS Online, HeartCode ACLS Online or HeartCode PALS Online. Complete it before class and bring your AHA online completion certificate. Check AHA’s website for current online pricing.

GMEC states that students receive their certification cards within 24 hours of completing the First Aid/CPR/AED course. For a blended course, complete both the online work and practical session. If your card has not arrived, contact the office with your name, course and completion date.

GMEC lists a two-year validity period for its First Aid/CPR/AED certification cards. Check the expiration date on your card and your employer's renewal requirements. Contact GMEC in advance to arrange the appropriate renewal training.

Yes. GMEC primarily delivers workplace training at client locations. Sessions can also be arranged at a GMEC training location or a suitable offsite venue when needed. Share your location, group size and training goals so the team can discuss the best arrangement. Explore onsite training →

GMEC's catalog includes First Aid/CPR, STOP THE BLEED®, fire-extinguisher training, respirator fit testing and OSHA 10- and 30-hour Outreach training. Other topics include bloodborne pathogens, hazard communication, emergency action plans, fall protection and workplace safety awareness. Online and in-person availability varies by course.

Yes. GMEC's Safety Division offers AED sales, rentals, service and management programs. The team can discuss your equipment, training and ongoing support needs together. Your assessment helps determine the service scope for your organization. Explore AED program management →

Yes. First-aid kit sales and restocking are part of GMEC's Safety Division services. Discuss the number of locations, the kits or cabinets you already use and the supplies your team needs. The office can explain an appropriate service arrangement. Explore ongoing readiness support →

Pricing depends on the course, number of participants and location. GMEC also notes that discounts may be available for larger CPR/First Aid groups. Share your course needs, group size, preferred dates and location to request a tailored quote. Start a workplace assessment →

No. OSHA limits Outreach instruction to 7.5 contact hours per day, so the 10-hour course requires at least two days. Breaks and administrative time do not count as instruction. GMEC will help you plan the course schedule around these limits.

No. OSHA describes its 10- and 30-hour Outreach programs as hazard-awareness training, not certification. They also do not replace the additional training an employer may need to provide for specific job hazards. Tell GMEC about your industry and responsibilities when choosing a course.

Yes. GMEC offers online safety-training options for individuals as well as instruction for workplace groups. Ask which format is available for your selected topic and whether a practical session or other completion requirement applies.

GMEC is located at 69 Main Street, Fairhaven, Massachusetts 02719. Office hours are Monday–Friday, 8 AM–2 PM. Class sessions may take place outside office hours, so follow the time and location in your course confirmation.

Use our contact form for course and enrollment questions. For training, AED services or safety support for an organization, complete the workplace assessment form. Include the course or service you are interested in and how we can help.

Contact the office directly with your name, course and scheduled date. Ask which rescheduling or cancellation terms apply to your booking before making changes. The EMT registration fee is specifically listed as non-refundable; do not assume the same terms apply to every other course.