Heartsaver First Aid and CPR AED
What are the Heartsaver First Aid and CPR AED Blended Learning Courses?
A: The AHA’s Heartsaver First Aid and CPR AED Blended Learning Courses have been updated to reflect
new science in the 2015 AHA Guidelines Update for CPR and Emergency Cardiovascular Care and the
2015 AHA and American Red Cross Update for First Aid.
Heartsaver First Aid and CPR AED eLearning Courses are the online portion of blended learning course
delivery, and are designed teach cognitive knowledge to adequately prepare students for hands-on
practice and testing of first aid, CPR, and AED skills. New eLearning courses include:
• Heartsaver First Aid CPR AED Online
• Heartsaver CPR AED Online
• Heartsaver First Aid Online
Heartsaver First Aid and CPR AED Blended Learning Courses are provide flexibility in training delivery
for students, employers, and AHA Instructors and can be a convenient alternative to Heartsaver
Instructor-Led Training.
Q: What is blended learning?
A: Blended learning uses online technology not only to supplement but also to transform and improve the
learning process. Successful blended learning can reach students with varying learning styles and in
different environments. It is a combination of eLearning, in which a student completes part of the course
in a self-directed manner, followed by a hands-on session with an Instructor.
Q: Specifically, what content is taught in the Heartsaver First Aid and CPR AED Courses?
A: At the end of the Heartsaver CPR AED Course, students will be able to:
• Describe how high-quality CPR improves survival
• Explain the concepts of the Chain of Survival
• Recognize when someone needs CPR
• Perform high-quality CPR for an adult
• Describe how to perform CPR with help from others
• Give effective breaths by using mouth-to-mouth or a mask for all age groups
• Demonstrate how to use an AED on an adult
• Perform high-quality CPR for a child*
• Demonstrate how to use an AED on a child*
• Perform high-quality CPR for an infant*
• Describe when and how to help a choking adult or child
• Demonstrate how to help a choking infant*
*Child and infant modules are optional.
At the end of the Heartsaver First Aid Course, students will be able to
• List the priorities, roles, and responsibilities of first aid rescuers
• Describe the key steps in first aid
• Remove protective gloves
• Find the problem
• Describe the assessment and first aid actions for the following life-threatening conditions: heart
• attack, difficulty breathing, choking, severe bleeding, shock, and stroke
• Use an epinephrine pen
• Control bleeding and bandaging
Heartsaver First Aid and CPR AED
• Recognize elements of common injuries • Recognize elements of common illnesses • Describe how to find information on preventing illness and injury • Recognize the legal questions that apply to first aid rescuers At the end of the Heartsaver First Aid CPR AED Course, students will be able to do all of the above. Target Audience Q: Who is the target audience for the Heartsaver First Aid and CPR AED Blended Learning Courses? A: Heartsaver courses are designed for anyone with little or no medical training who needs a course completion card for job, regulatory (e.g., OSHA), or other requirements. These courses can also be taken by anyone who wants to be prepared for an emergency in any setting. Course Format Q: What is the format for these programs? A: Heartsaver First Aid and CPR AED eLearning Courses use a variety of eLearning assets such as dramatizations, animations, self-directed learning, and interactive activities to teach students first aid, CPR, and AED knowledge. The online portion of Heartsaver blended learning programs contain required exercises which must be completed before the student can receive a certificate of completion. After completing the online portion, students will attend a structured, Instructor-led, hands-on session that focuses on meaningful coaching, skills practice, and skills testing. Course Length Q: How long does it take to complete the online portion of the Heartsaver blended learning courses? A: Depending on the student’s experience, approximate times for each online portion are listed below: • Heartsaver First Aid Online: Approximately 3.5 hours • Heartsaver CPR AED Online: Approximately 1 hour, 45 minutes • Heartsaver First Aid CPR AED (includes child/infant CPR AED): Approximately 4 hours, 45 minutes Q: What is the length of the Heartsaver blended learning Instructor-led hands-on session? A: Following the sample agenda included in the Heartsaver First Aid CPR AED Instructor Manual, the time for the Heartsaver First Aid CPR AED hands-on session is approximately 2 ½ hours, with optional lessons included. The hands-on session for Heartsaver First Aid is approximately 30 minutes, and the hands-on session for Heartsaver CPR AED is approximately 45-90 minutes (45 minutes if teaching only Adult CPR AED). Course Completion Requirements Q: Does successful completion of a Heartsaver blended learning programs result in receipt of an AHA course completion card? If so, what card? A: Upon successful completion of the full blended learning course (online program, followed by handson session), students will receive a Heartsaver course completion card. Each card is valid for two years. The table below indicates the card received for each program:
Course Card Received
Heartsaver First Aid Online Heartsaver First Aid (print or eCard)
Heartsaver CPR AED Online Heartsaver CPR AED (print or eCard)
Heartsaver First Aid CPR AED Online Heartsaver First Aid CPR AED (print or eCard)
Q: Is there an exam that must be completed for the Heartsaver blended learning courses?
A: The AHA does not mandate completion of an exam for Heartsaver courses; however, an optional exam
has been developed for Instructors to administer to students whose employers require completion of an
exam. This exam can be obtained by Training Center Coordinators, upon request, from the AHA
Customer Support Center.
Instructors who need to issue the Heartsaver optional exam should issue it to students during the
hands-on session of the course.
Q: Is a skills session/test required?
A: A hands-on skills practice session for first aid, CPR, and AED, and a skills test for CPR and AED skills
are required. During the skills practice session, students have the opportunity for one-on-one time with
an AHA instructor to ask questions, receive feedback, and gain confidence performing skills. A CPR and
AED skills test with the instructor is the final step to earning a Heartsaver First Aid with CPR & AED
Course Completion Card.
Heartsaver First Aid and CPR AED Online Portions Certificate of Completion
Q: What is required for student entry into a Heartsaver First Aid and CPR AED hands-on session?
A: Upon successful completion of the online portion, students receive a certificate of completion, which
they must present for entry into an Instructor-led hands-on session.
Q: How can BLS and Heartsaver Instructors verify the authenticity of Heartsaver First Aid and CPR
AED online portion certificates of completion?
A: Instructors can verify certificates at https://elearning.heart.org/verifycertificate.
Online Portion Features
Q: What are some of the unique features of the Heartsaver blended learning programs?
A: Following are features of the Heartsaver First Aid and CPR AED online programs:
• Students have the convenience of completing the course at their own pace at work, home, or wherever
Internet access is available
• Can be used for initial or renewal training
• Includes interactive exercises and videos to engage students and provide periodic points of knowledge
transference
• Certificate of completion available to print when the online portion has been completed successfully
• Students have access to all information in the online portion for 24 months after activation of their key to
help reinforce what they have learned
• Includes audio and transcript for students who may have a hearing or visual disability
• Screen and text-sized options help meet diverse learning needs
• Navigation controls provide students with the flexibility to move easily through content and customize
their learning experience
2015 Guidelines Heartsav
