Kona CPR is now a thriving CPR and first aid business in Kona, Hawaii, USA, but that wasn’t always the case. After becoming an Emergency First Response Instructor in 2007, Kara Osada issued just seven completion cards. But, since that modest start, her business has produced more than 230 Emergency First Responders and is on track to exceed that mark this year. In this interview, Osada shares her perspective and experiences implementing Emergency First Response programs.
The Responder (TR): To what do you attribute the success of your EFR business?
Kara Osada (KO): Not just doing the basics, but making it a fun, enjoyable and quality class. Kona CPR fills a prefect niche in Kona, Hawaii. Kona CPR has been able to come in and provide quality training classes weekly for individuals or groups at business locations. I have started classes as early as 7 am or as late as 6 pm – depending upon the participants’ needs.
TR: Do you have a specific market that you target and if so, how did you identify that market?
KO: When I started, I thought I would be teaching mostly fisherman and scuba groups, but I was so wrong. I teach massage therapy students, teachers, industrial workers, construction workers, tour operators, nurses, physical therapist, baby sitters, health care workers, day care centers and so many more. The people I have met through teaching tend to be the most amazing people as they have chosen careers that offer assistance and care to others.
TR: What is your marketing and advertising strategy? How do you attract new participants?
KO: Build a great website. I have also used the paper, though word of mouth works wonders once you get started.
TR: What, if any, challenges did you encounter during the development of your business?
KO: The biggest struggle I face is people not knowing the name of Emergency First Response. I have spent a lot of time getting Emergency First Response programs approved by companies for their employees. I have also run into problems because of the temporary card that is issued at the time of completion. Many people are applying for jobs that same day and need cards that don’t say temporary on them. I have found that keeping Certificates of Completion on hand is helpful in these cases.
TR: From a business perspective, what has been your most important lesson as an Emergency First Response Instructor?
KO: As a new company, you have to find your niche. Here, it was providing quality training at times when people could make it. In other places, it may be as simple as having a large space for companies to send large groups when they cannot hold training at their site. It’s all about looking at your market and seeing what might work!
TR: What do you think is the ideal class size and participant to mannequin ratio?
KO: I teach with one mannequin for every two people. I have found that with three to one ratios, participants grow tired at the length of the course. I think the most learning occurs with class sizes of six to eight. It’s big enough that one participant doesn’t feel pressured, yet small enough that I can watch and comment on technique.
TR: How do you use the EFR materials to efficiently teach your courses?
KO: I hand out guides and books at the start of the course. For the participants I work with, it’s not practical for them to review material prior to the course. Participants fill in knowledge reviews while watching the video. We go through the knowledge review after the video. As participants go through the skills sets, I refer them to the book on sections for further reading and review.
TR: What are some of your favorite role-playing scenarios for the final exercise?
KO: I can’t say I have a favorite. I try to pick scenarios they will be likely to see. For individuals who work as health care providers, we talk about how they can manage on their own. With large companies that have many employees getting certified, we talk about how they can best manage a scene without having everyone do the same thing. I really try to personalize the training with exercises for the group I’m training, which also makes it fun for me, as every class is unique.