Air Bag Replacement

2001 Chev Tracker air bags were deployed I have purchased a new set both driver and pasanger air bags as well as a controll modual. I have been told buy two body shops to disconnect battery and wait at lease 2 hours then plug in new componets then reconnect battery. At this point the ARS system should go though a self test. If the ARS light goes out everything should be OK. If it does not go out then it will throw the system into a safty mode. Then the codes need to be checked to see why the light is still on.

Does this sound right?
Is this safe?
Can I check codes with out a T1 or T2?
Where can I get a code list?

Thanks
Joe