Take a Class Resources Blog Instructor Kit Buying Guide

  • Instructor Kit Buying Guide: First Aid/CPR/AED, BLS, CPRO and Lifeguarding

    List of Instructor Kits from the Red Cross Store.

    Date Published: February 24, 2025

    How to Choose an Instructor Kit

    When it comes to selecting the best instructor kit, there’s no one-size-fits-all solution. Choosing an instructor kit to buy at the Red Cross Store depends on which classes you are teaching. The ideal instructor kit depends on the specific Red Cross course you will be teaching, whether it is First Aid/CPR/AED, Basic Life Support (BLS), Lifeguard, CPRO or other courses. And if you're teaching adult, child or infant CPR (or all of the above).

    Each course has unique requirements (see Suggested Instructor Kits section), that may require different combinations of CPR manikins, CPR Masks/BVM/Pocket Maks/Face Shields, Manikin Lungs & Shields, and First Aid and CPR training kits. Understanding the specific needs of your course will help you choose the most appropriate and effective instructor kit.

    To get started teaching First Aid/CPR/AED, do I need the starter kit and instructor kit with books?

    You must have the equipment and training supplies (CPR manikin(s), AED trainer, face shields/ CPR masks and first aid training supplies). Certified Instructors who are affiliated with a training provider can access the instructor manual and videos online within the Red Cross Learning Center platform; however, it is recommended to have a printed instructor guide with reference guide. (First Aid/CPR/AED Deluxe Instructor Kit with Skill Boost Training Supplies; item 765215)

    Teaching First Aid/CPR/AED Courses?

    Visit redcross.org/store/first-aid-cpr-aed-equipment-supplies-materials/instructor-equipment to buy the required and optional materials, equipment and supplies for First Aid/CPR/AED course.

    Teaching Lifeguarding Courses?

    Visit redcross.org/store/new-lifeguarding-materials-2024/lifeguard-instructor-equipment to buy the required and optional materials, equipment and supplies for our Lifeguarding r.24 course.

    Teaching BLS, CPRO and Lifeguarding Courses?

    In BLS, CPRO and Lifeguarding students learn how to use a BVM and in lifeguarding students learn the jaw-thrust maneuver and therefore should use a CPR manikin that is jaw thrust enabled (designed to open the airway by moving the jaw).

    • Teaching Adult, Child and or Infant CPR? There are different manikins for Infant CPR versus Adult & Child CPR!
    • Interested in both types of CPR manikins? The Red Cross guidance allows for an adult manikin to be used for Child CPR training.

    For more information, see ‘Suggested Instructor Kits’ section for Instructor Kits by Course as well as recommended ‘Books & DVD Kits’ by course.

    Teaching Adult or Infant CPR, First Aid, BLS, CPRO or Lifeguarding Classes?

    The instructor kits include training supplies, such as CPR manikins, AED trainers and other equipment and supplies which are needed to teach different classes to help your instructors hit the ground running to begin teaching.

    Common Instructor Kit FAQs

    Are the Water Safety Instructor and Lifeguard Instructor courses teaching materials different?

    Yes, WSI Instructors need a Water Safety Instructor Candidate Kit. This convenient kit includes the two textbooks needed by a WSI to teach the various Learn to Swim courses including:

    Can I order the supplies even if I am not an instructor?

    Yes, anyone can order the supplies. However, Instructors must be certified prior to teaching students Red Cross courses. Visit our Instructor and Bridging page on how to become a Red Cross Instructor.

    Can BLS and Lifeguard Instructors teach First Aid/CPR/AED courses?

    Yes, instructors must teach from the First Aid/CPR/AED Instructor course materials with relevant training supplies.

    Is it cheaper / more cost effective to order an Instructor Kit or to purchase items individually at the Red Cross Store?

    Yes.

    Suggested Adult Manikins for CPR, BLS, CPR & Lifeguarding

    Training Courses Instructor Kit Includes
    First Aid/CPR/AED Adult and Infant First Aid/CPR & AED Instructor Starter Kit for Adult & Infant CPR/AED and First Aid Training (765403)
    • 4 - Red Cross AED Trainers with Adult and Child Adhesive Gel Pads - FOR TRAINING PURPOSES ONLY (764500)
    • 1 - Prestan Adult CPR Manikin with CPR Monitors - (4 Pack), Tan Skin, includes 50 Adult Lung Bags and Red Cross branded carry case (PP-AM-400M-RC-MS)
    • 1 - Prestan Infant Manikins with CPR Monitors (4-Pack), Tan Skin, includes 50 Infant Lung Bags and Red Cross branded carry case (PP-IM-400M-RC-MS)
    • 8 - CPR Keychain, Face Shield with 1-Way Valve, 1 Pair Latex Free Nitrile Gloves, included as an after class take-away for course participants (ARC-CPR-03)
    • 10 - First Aid and CPR Training Kit, with Triangular Bandages (Non-Woven) (761401)
    • 1 - Red Cross Instructor Backpack (Empty), made with a durable black and red heavy ballistic 1680D material with 4 outside pockets, 2 water bottle holders, 2 inside computer sleeves, clear pocket sewn on front, custom Red Cross zipper pulls, and extra padding on the back panel and straps for added comfort. (150801)
    Adult & CPR Instructor Starter Kit (765400)
    • 4 - Prestan Ultralite Manikins without CPR Feedback (PP-ULM-400-RC-MS)
    • 50 - Prestan Ultralite Face-Shield/Lung-Bags
    • 4 - AED Trainers with Adult and Child Gel Adhesive Pads (764500) - FOR TRAINING PURPOSES ONLY
    • 10 - First Aid and CPR Training Combination Training Kit (761401)
    • 8 - CPR Key Chains (ARC-CPR-03)
    • 1 - Red Cross branded Instructor backpack
    First Aid/CPR/AED Instructor Starter Kit for Schools for Adult CPR/AED & First Aid, without CPR feedback manikins (765415)
    • 1 - Prestan Adult Ultralite CPR Manikin - (4 Pack), Tan Skin, includes 50 Ultralite Lung Bags and Red Cross branded carry case (PP-ULM-400-RC-MS)
    • 4 - American Red Cross AED Trainer, with Adult and Child Gel Adhesive Pads - FOR TRAINING PURPOSES ONLY (764500)
    • 1 - American Red Cross First Aid/CPR/AED DVD, R.21 (754104)
    • 1 - American Red Cross First Aid/CPR/AED Participant's Manual, R.21 (754100)
    • 1 - American Red Cross First Aid/CPR/AED Instructor's Manual, R.21 (754101P2)
    • 1 - 1.5 Inch Round, 3-Ring Binder (374814)
    Instructor Training Supplies Kit (765302)
    • 1 - American Red Cross Instructor Back Pack (150801)
    • 10 - First Aid and CPR Combination Training Pack (761401)
    • 4 - American Red Cross AED Trainer, with Adult & Child Gel Adhesive Pads (764500)
    • 8 - CPR keychains (ARC-CPR-03)
    Instructor Training Supplies Kit with Tourniquet Trainers (765301)
    • 1 - American Red Cross Instructor Back Pack (150801)
    • 10 - First Aid and CPR Combination Training Pack (761401)
    • 4 - American Red Cross AED Trainer, with Adult & Child Gel Adhesive Pads (764500)
    • 8 - CPR keychains (ARC-CPR-03)
    • 4 - ARC Tourniquet Training Arm (760129)
    First Aid/CPR/AED Deluxe Instructor Kit with Skill Boost Training Supplies (765215)
    • 1 - American Red Cross First Aid/ CPR/ AED Participant’s Manual, Rev. 2021 (754100)
    • 1 - American Red Cross Pediatric First Aid/ CPR/ AED Ready Reference, Rev. 2021 (754102)
    • 1 - American Red Cross Adult First Aid / CPR/ AED Ready Reference, Rev. 2021 (754103)
    • 1 - First Aid/CPR/AED Instructor's Manual, Rev. 2021 (754101P2)
    • 1 - First Aid/CPR/AED DVD, Rev. 2021 (754104)
    • 1 - Red Cross Tourniquet Training Arm (760129)
    • 1 - ARC Tactical Medical Tourniquet (SOFTT-W-RC)
    • 1 - Nasal Spray Training Device for Naloxone/Opioid Overdose & Anaphylaxis Training, 5-Pack (765216)
    • 1 - Epinephrine Auto injector Training Device for Anaphylaxis (765201)
    • 1 - Practi-Inhaler, Training Device for Asthma, (EACH) (765202-EACH)
    • 1 - Spacer Trainer for Practi-inhaler (765204)
    • 1 - American Red Cross Instructor Backpack (150801)
    • 1 - Binder (374814)
    Basic Life Support (BLS) Basic Life Support Instructor Starter Kit for BLS training (765401)
    • 4 - Red Cross AED Trainers with Adult and Child Adhesive Gel Pads - FOR TRAINING PURPOSES ONLY (764500)
    • 1 - Prestan Diverse Skin-Tone Adult Manikins with CPR Monitors - (4 Pack), Tan Skin and Brown Skin, includes 50 Adult Lung Bags and Red Cross branded carry case (PP-AM-400M-RC-MSDS)
    • 1 - Prestan Diverse Skin-Tone Infant Manikins with CPR Monitors - (4 Pack), Tan Skin and Brown Skin, includes 50 Infant Lung Bags and Red Cross branded carry case (PP-IM-400M-RC-MSDS)
    • 4 - Ambu Adult SPUR II Bag Reservoir w/Pop-Off Valve, Adult Med. Mask, Manometer, 7’ O2 Tubing (523611030)
    • 4 - Ambu Infant SPUR II Bag Reservoir w/Pop-Off Valve, Infant Mask, (BVM) 10 Ft O2 Tubing (540212010)
    • 8 - Adult/Child CPR Mask with O2 Inlet & Infant CPR Mask, Soft Case (765420)
    CPR/AED, BLS, Lifeguard, CPRO Jaw Thrust AED, CPR & BLS Manikin Instructor Starter Kit (765402)
    • 4 - Red Cross AED Trainers with Adult and Child Adhesive Gel Pads - FOR TRAINING PURPOSES ONLY (764500)
    • 1 - Prestan Adult Jaw Thrust Manikins with CPR Monitors (4-Pack), Tan Skin, includes 50 Adult Lung Bags and Red Cross branded carry case (PP-JTM-400M-RC-MS)
    • 1 - Prestan Infant Manikins with CPR Monitors (4-Pack), Tan Skin, includes 50 Infant Lung Bags and Red Cross branded carry case (PP-IM-400M-RC-MS)
    • 4 - Ambu Adult SPUR II Bag Reservoir with Pop-Off Valve Adult Med Mask (523611030)
    • 4 - Ambu Infant SPUR II Bag Reservoir with Pop-Off Valve Infant Mask (540212010)
    • 8 - Adult/Child CPR Mask with O2 Inlet & Infant CPR Mask, Soft Case (765420)
    Brayden/BigRed™ Adult CPR & First Aid Instructor Starter Set (765419)
    • Brayden/BigRed™ Adult CPR Manikin with Red LED Light CPR Feedback (4-Pack)
    • Brayden/BigRed™ Carry Case for 4-Pack Adult CPR Manikins
    • Lung Bags for Brayden/BigRed™ Adult CPR Manikin with LED Light CPR Feedback (24-Pack)
    • Instructor Training Supplies Kit
    Lifeguarding Deluxe Lifeguarding Instructor Set - DVD, Manual, Deck Book, Backpack (755748)
    • Lifeguarding Manual
    • Lifeguarding Instructor Manual
    • Lifeguarding Instructor’s Deck Book
    • Lifeguarding DVD Set
    • 3 Inch Round 3 Ring Binder for Lifeguarding Instructor Manual
    • Red Cross Instructor Backpack (Empty)
    Lifeguarding Instructor Set – Manuals, Deck Book, Backpack (755747)
    • Lifeguarding Manual
    • Lifeguarding Instructor Manual
    • Lifeguarding Instructor’s Deck Book
    • 3 Inch Round 3 Ring Binder for Lifeguarding Instructor Manual
    • Red Cross Instructor Backpack (Empty)
    FAST See First Aid for Severe Trauma™ (FAST™) Training Resources  
    CPR for the Professional Rescuer (CPRO) CPR/AED for Professional Rescuers (CPRO) Deluxe Instructor's Set (w/DVD) (752174)
    • CPR/AED for Professional Rescuers (CPRO) Participant's Handbook
    • CPR/AED for Professional Rescuers (CPRO) DVD
    • CPR/AED for Professional Rescuers (CPRO) Instructor's Manual
    Responding to Emergencies (RTE) See Responding to Emergency (RTE) Resources  
    Emergency Medical Response (EMR) See Emergency Medical Response (EMR) Resouces  
    Water Safety Instructor Water Safety Instructor® Candidate Kit (751335)
    • Water Safety Instructor Manual
    • Swimming and Water Safety Manual

    What to Read Next

    Instructor Kits
    With complete BLS, First Aid, and CPR instructor kits, plus EMR materials, manuals, DVDs and more, we're here to help you get the instructor supplies you need.
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    CPR Manikins
    Shop competitively priced adult and infant CPR Training Manikins for your training programs.
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    Lifeguarding Instructor Training Equipment
    The Red Cross Store has the lifeguarding equipment and training supplies you need to get started teaching.
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    Take a Course or Become a Red Cross CPR Instructor

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    About Red Cross Training Services

    Training Services is a division of the American Red Cross. Our mission is to advance lifesaving education so you are better to prepared. Our robust training curriculum includes CPR and AED, First Aid, Basic Life Support (BLS), Babysitting and Child Care, Lifeguarding, Water Safety and more.