I was asked via PM to relate my CPR training on this site. I received the standard Red Cross refresher training that all military people get at least once a year. Actually because of some administrative error I ended up getting the training every six or eight months. So first of all please don't consider anything I say here as training, I urge you instead to get trained by a pro.
[You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]However, anecdotally the training lasted about three hours. We practiced on plastic dummies. They are pretty good, when you blow into the mouth the chest actually rises. The number of breaths to compressions has changed somewhat over the years so please seek out the latest training, they are always making medical advances. I've heard they even have compression only CPR training out there but I haven't done this yet.
We also used the AED which is the device that you see in movies when the doctor yells CLEAR and then zap. The modern AED's are pretty idiot proof. You attach the leads just like the picture on the device and it tells you in a computer voice what to do, it really is that simple.
I don't want to type too much here but instead urge you to please seek out professional training through your local American Red Cross.
After the class, if you pass the test which is both practical and written, you will receive a nice color book with all kinds of first aid tips and a certification card that is good for two years.
This training should be lifesaving 101 stuff for any class of RLSH. Remember the life you save could be mine.