How to save a life: Sauk Valley CPR offers first-aid and lifesaving classes

DIXON — A Sterling woman’s business is teaching people how to save a life, one class at a time.

Stephanie McLean is a registered nurse and an American Heart Association-certified CPR and first-aid instructor who previously worked for KSB Hospital in Dixon. Her business, Sauk Valley CPR, provides online and in-person classroom instruction on CPR, first aid, Heart Saver and Basic Life Support for healthcare worker classes, automated external defibrillator training, recertification services and more.

McLean opened Sauk Valley CPR in July 2023 after witnessing a need for the service following the retirement of several instructors in the area.

“I would listen to co-workers and friends tell me how they needed to get recertified but weren’t sure who to call,” McLean said. “A lot of times they would go to the Quad-Cities or Rockford or even by Chicago. I always thought it was ridiculous that someone would have to drive that far just to get certified for their job. There’s a lot of companies in the area that have to do first-responder training to meet OSHA requirements and this fills that need.”

Classes are held at the RiverWorks Coworking facility at 114 E. Everett St. in Dixon. McLean also travels to businesses and organizations to teach in their facilities.

There are two class options. Busy individuals can take advantage of McLean’s online learning option, which allows students to complete the educational portion of the class at their own pace. Once they are finished, students set up a time to meet with McLean for an in-person skills check to complete their certification.

Other students may benefit from the in-person, instructor-led option, featuring hands-on activities, video integration and one-on-one instruction. McLean said her CPR mannequins provide students with real-time feedback on their technique, and the class uses other training equipment to simulate real-world scenarios.

“Having that hands-on experience is invaluable,” McLean said. “I recently added a tourniquet kit. This is useful for factory workers and those working in industries where there is a risk for injury from machinery. They can practice putting a tourniquet on the mannequin arm to learn how to do it safely.”

Certifications are available 20 days after completing a program. They can be accessed and printed through an online link that is emailed to students from the American Heart Association. Although McLean is not an employee of the AHA, she teaches its curriculum; referring to it as “the gold standard in the industry.”

Classes range from two to four hours and students must pass a written and an in-person skills test. McLean said students get as much practice time as they need and those who fail the first time receive a remediation session with her to go over any problem areas, ask questions and practice before testing again.

“If somebody needs a little extra one-on-one with a certain skill they might be struggling with, I work with them and do remediation to make sure they get it,” McLean said. “My motto is: I don’t let anyone fail my class.”

For more information or to schedule a class, visit saukvalleycpr.com or call 815-564-8766.