Veterans Day 2026: The Skill That Lets You Give Back When It Counts Most

Excerpt: Veterans Day is a time to reflect on service and the communities we share. Learning CPR and AED skills is one practical way to be ready to help veterans, their families, coworkers, and neighbors.

Veterans Day gives us a moment to recognize people who have served and to think about how we can serve one another in everyday life. For me, community readiness is one meaningful place to start: people who know what to do in an emergency can take helpful steps while professional responders are on the way.

CPR and AED training is not about expecting the worst. It is about practicing a clear response, becoming more familiar with the equipment, and feeling less uncertain about how to help. Those skills can matter at a veterans’ organization, a workplace, a senior living community, or at home with family.

I’m David Onori, the sole instructor at Code Blue Safety Skills. I travel to training locations throughout San Diego County, Temecula, Murrieta, Menifee, Lake Elsinore, and Rancho Murrieta. This Veterans Day, I’m inviting community groups and workplaces to consider a practical 2026 safety goal: prepare more people to respond.

A practical way to honor service

Service is often described as stepping up when someone needs help. CPR and AED training gives that idea a practical shape. A trained person may be better prepared to recognize when help is needed, call 911, follow the dispatcher’s instructions, and use an AED if one is available.

This is not a guarantee of an outcome. CPR does not guarantee survival, and training does not replace calling 911. It can, however, help a bystander approach an emergency with practiced steps rather than facing the moment without any preparation.

The International Liaison Committee on Resuscitation (ILCOR) encourages communities and emergency services to support community initiatives that improve access to basic life-support training and increase public awareness. Its review describes encouraging signs for community training, while patient-outcome findings were mixed. That is a good reason to support preparedness without promising more than training can deliver.

Make readiness part of the places veterans gather

Veterans’ organizations and the places that serve veterans can be natural settings for preparedness. A VFW or American Legion post, a senior living community, a veterans’ service organization, or a workplace employing veterans can consider a few simple questions:

• Who on-site has current CPR/AED training?
• Where is the nearest AED, and can people access it when the building is open?
• Does everyone know the exact location address to give to 911?
• Have staff or volunteers discussed who will call, who will assist, and who will meet arriving responders?
• Would a refresher or group class help more people feel ready?

These are useful questions for any organization, not only those serving veterans. A familiar plan can reduce confusion: someone calls 911, another person follows the dispatcher’s instructions and begins appropriate care, and another retrieves the AED if available. In training, practicing those roles helps participants see how a response can work as a team.

I can bring training to a workplace, community hall, or other suitable site, so a group can practice together without needing to travel to a public class. For groups, a shared session can also create a chance to discuss the organization’s own AED location and emergency procedures.

Hands-on practice helps build confidence

A course card is useful, but practice is what helps the steps feel more familiar. During a hands-on session, learners can practice compressions on a manikin, handle an AED trainer, listen to device prompts, and rehearse communicating with other responders.

I teach each class myself and focus on practical, supportive instruction. Participants have time to ask questions, take turns, and work through skills in a calm learning environment. My goal is for people to leave with a clearer understanding of what to do and more confidence in their ability to take an appropriate first step.

The American Red Cross offers CPR and AED training through instructor-led and blended formats. With my blended learning option, participants complete the online module first, then attend an in-person skills session with hands-on practice. That format can make scheduling easier while preserving the practical skills portion.

Choose training that fits the people you serve

Different groups may need different training. Here are some options I offer:

• First Aid + CPR/AED (All Ages): A broad option for people who want first aid, CPR, and AED training across age groups.
• Pediatric First Aid & CPR/AED (Pediatric Only): For parents, caregivers, and teams whose responsibilities focus on children.
• Basic Life Support: For healthcare providers and clinical teams.
• Stop Life-Threatening Bleeding: Hands-on bleeding-control training for community and workplace learners.
• Certification renewals: For learners who need to refresh skills and renew their certification.

American Red Cross certification is standard. HSI certification is available only when a client specifically requests it. You can review course options or contact me to discuss which class fits your organization and certification needs.

A practical 2026 safety goal might be to review who needs training, plan a class before certifications expire, or check whether your emergency procedures are clear to everyone. Keep the goal manageable: a small group of prepared people is a constructive start, and a scheduled refresher can help keep readiness on the calendar.

A simple Veterans Day readiness checklist

If your organization wants to take a first step, consider this short checklist:

1. Identify who may respond. Think about staff, caregivers, volunteers, and regular visitors who are often on-site.
2. Check AED access. Confirm where the device is, who can reach it, and whether its status and supplies are maintained according to the manufacturer’s directions and your organization’s procedures.
3. Review the response plan. Make sure people know how to call 911, share the site address, and direct responders to the right location.
4. Plan hands-on training. Choose a course that fits the roles and ages of the people your organization serves.
5. Practice and renew. Include a refresher in your 2026 safety goals and make renewal timing easy to track.

The Sudden Cardiac Arrest Foundation also shares public CPR/AED awareness resources and community preparedness information. Its materials can help organizations talk about readiness and encourage participation.

Mobile training for Southern California groups

I provide mobile on-site training across San Diego County, Temecula, Murrieta, Menifee, Lake Elsinore, and Rancho Murrieta. You can choose classroom training or, where available for the course, blended learning with online modules followed by an in-person skills session. I work with individuals as well as organizations planning training for employees, volunteers, caregivers, or community members.

For appointment-only scheduling, email d.onori@codebluesafetyskills.com or call (951) 669-4177. Please include the specific dates you want for the class, your preferred location, the course you need, and your approximate group size. Possible near-term dates to ask about are Thursday, November 12; Friday, November 13; and Monday, November 16, 2026. These are requests rather than confirmed bookings; I’ll confirm availability when you contact me.

Veterans Day is a fitting time to recognize service and consider how we can care for the people around us. Learning CPR and AED skills is one practical step. It cannot guarantee survival, and it does not replace calling 911, but hands-on practice can help you feel more prepared to act while professional help is on the way.

Sources

• American Red Cross: CPR classes
• Health & Safety Institute: CPR, AED, and first aid training
• ILCOR: 2025 Education, Implementation, and Teams consensus chapter
• Sudden Cardiac Arrest Foundation: Ready to Respond