Which Course is Right for Me?

This guide will help you understand better which course is right for you. Skip to the following sections:

Contact us to set up customized training at your location today.

Members of the Community

For members of the community who do not work in healthcare, and do not need a certificate of completion for job requirements, we recommend attending an AHA Family & Friends® CPR Course. This course covers CPR, using an AED, and relief of choking for adults, children, and infants. In this course, you’ll learn the lifesaving skills needed to save your loved ones, coworkers, and any other person who might need emergency medical care. Want to know more about CPR and its importance, please see our What is CPR? page.

Professionals Who Require First Aid and/or CPR Training for Their Job

AHA Heartsaver® First Aid CPR AED Course

The AHA Heartsaver® First Aid CPR AED Course is designed for professionals with little to no medical training who need first aid and/or CPR training and a course completion card for job, regulatory (e.g., OSHA), or other regulatory or licensing requirements. This includes:

  • Lifeguards

  • Coaches and athletic trainers

  • Flight attendants

  • Correctional Officers

  • Restaurant staff

  • Security guards

The AHA Heartsaver® First Aid CPR AED Course contains the following modules, and can be taught in any combination:

  • First Aid

  • Adult CPR AED

  • Child CPR AED

  • Infant CPR

This course is offered in the following paths:

  • Heartsaver® Course Path - This shortened and targeted version of the course focuses on core curriculum and skills to put students on a fast track to refresh their skills. It is designed to be flexible for students who need to review only specific topics to meet course requirements to obtain a course completion card. However, it is not regulatory or Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) compliant.

  • Heartsaver® Total Course Path - This comprehensive curriculum is designed to meet licensing requirements for OSHA and other regulatory agencies.

  • Office Course Path - This sample profession-based course path for that is appropriate for office employees.

  • Educator Course Path - This sample profession-based course path for that is appropriate for office employees.

There is also an optional Heartsaver® Exam for those whose workplaces or regulatory agencies require the completion of an exam.

AHA Heartsaver® Pediatric First Aid CPR AED Course

The AHA Heartsaver® Pediatric First Aid CPR AED Course is designed for those involved in childcare who have a duty to respond to illnesses and injuries in a child or infant in the first few minutes until professional help arrives. This includes:

  • Childcare workers

  • Teachers and other school staff

  • Daycare staff

  • Camp counselors

  • Youth organization staff

  • Coaches for children’s sports organizations

  • Foster care workers

  • Also ideal for parents, grandparents, extended family, nannies, babysitters, and guardians.

The AHA Heartsaver® Pediatric First Aid CPR AED Course contains the following modules, and can be taught in any combination:

  • Pediatric First Aid

  • Child CPR AED

  • Infant CPR

  • Adult CPR AED

This course is offered in the following paths:

  • Heartsaver® Pediatric Course Path - This shortened and targeted version of the course focuses on core curriculum and skills to put students on a fast track to refresh their skills. It is designed to be flexible for students who need to review only specific topics to meet course requirements to obtain a course completion card. However, it is not designed to meet regulatory agency or Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requirements.

  • Heartsaver® Pediatric Total Course Path - This comprehensive curriculum is designed to meet licensing requirements for OSHA and other regulatory agencies.

  • Babysitter Course Path - Focuses on the first aid needs of babysitters.

  • Water Safety Course Path - Provides general information for the best safety practices around water.

There is also an optional Heartsaver® Exam for those whose workplaces or regulatory agencies require the completion of an exam.

AHA Heartsaver® Bloodborne Pathogens Course

The AHA Heartsaver® Bloodborne Pathogens Course is designed for anyone with a reasonable chance of coming into contact with bloodborne pathogens such as:

  • Correctional Officers

  • Childcare workers

  • Security guards

  • Maintenance workers

  • School personnel

  • Hotel housekeepers

  • Health and fitness club staff

  • Tattoo artists

The AHA Heartsaver® Bloodborne Pathogens Course teaches students how to act quickly and safely, protect themselves from blood or blood-containing materials, and clean the area that has blood or blood-containing materials.

Healthcare Providers and First Responders

AHA BLS Provider Course

All healthcare providers and first responders (see list below) must be certified in CPR and AED use for healthcare provider. The AHA BLS Provider Course provides the appropriate certification needed to fulfil this requirement.

Healthcare providers and first responders who require BLS Provider certifications include:

  • Physicians

  • Physician Assistants

  • Nurses and Nurse Practitioners

  • CNAs and LPNs

  • Dentists and Dental Assistance

  • Medical Assistants

  • EMTs and Paramedics

  • Firefighters

  • Police Officers

  • Respiratory Therapists

  • Sonographers

  • Radiologic Technicians and Technologists

  • Surgical Technologists and Assistants

AHA ACLS and PALS Provider Courses

More advanced providers (Physicians, PAs, RNs, Paramedics) must also be certified in more advanced courses such as Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) or Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS).

AHA Airway Managment Course

Healthcare providers whose daily occupation or volunteer activities require the knowledge and skills of airway management, should consider attending the AHA Airway Management Course. This course is a unique program specifically designed to give students the opportunity to learn, practice and demonstrate many airway skills used in resuscitation. This course is appropriate for:

  • Physicians

  • Physician Assistants

  • Nurse Practitioners

  • Critical Care Nurses

  • Medical/Surgical Nurses

  • Respiratory Therapists

  • Paramedics

  • Emergency Medical Technicians

  • House staff

  • Staff responsible for procedural sedation

  • Any professional in the field of resuscitation and airway management, such as scientists, educators, researchers, and manufacturers of medical devices

AHA ECG & Pharmacology Course

The AHA ECG & Pharmacology Course is designed for personnel in emergency response, emergency medicine, intensive care and critical care units such as physicians, nurses, paramedics, residents, respiratory therapists, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, clinical pharmacists and ECG technicians.

The course covers basic electrophysiology, normal ECG measurements, basic arrhythmias, and administration of appropriate drugs within the ACLS algorithms.

Contact us to set up customized training at your location today.