Heartsaver Product & Course Orientation
The American Heart Association is pleased to introduce new course materials and curriculum updates to the Heartsaver course. These course enhancements will make a big impact on the way you teach. This Product and Course Orientation focuses on the new Heartsaver course design and resources for instructors.
The AHA developed course enhancements in direct response to suggestions offered by our valued instructors. Candid feedback from our instructors enables us to better understand what is most helpful to you and equips us to continually improve our training content. This document will guide you to incorporate these updates into your classes and provide your students with a quality learning experience.
Course Delivery Options
There are 2 delivery options for Heartsaver training. Instructor-led training takes place in a classroom setting and includes both the cognitive and psychomotor components of skills practice and testing.
The blended-learning format uses online learning to deliver the instructional portion of the course. Students focus on skills practice and testing with an instructor during the classroom portion of the course.
- Instructor-led training. Instructor-led training takes place in a classroom setting and includes both the cognitive and psychomotor components of skills practice and testing.
- Blended learning. The blended-learning format uses online learning to deliver the instructional portion of the course. Students focus on skills practice and testing with an instructor during the classroom portion of the course.
Heartsaver Courses
There are a variety of Heartsaver courses designed for anyone who wants to be prepared for an emergency.
- Heartsaver Complete First Aid CPR AED. The Heartsaver Complete First Aid CPR AED Course trains participants in the lifesaving skills of first aid, CPR, and the use of an automated external defibrillator (AED). This comprehensive course is designed for anyone with little or no medical training who needs a course completion card for their job or licensing requirements for local safety and health protocols and other regulatory agencies, or for anyone who wants to be prepared for an emergency in any setting.
- Heartsaver CPR AED. The Heartsaver CPR AED Course trains participants to give CPR and use an AED.
- Heartsaver First Aid. The Heartsaver First Aid course trains participants in the lifesaving skills of first aid.
New Course Content
We’ve added or revised several topics to educate students on some of the major health issues in our communities. These include smoking and vaping, opioid overdose, and the benefits of a healthy lifestyle.
We’ve also partnered with the Stop The Bleed® campaign to provide students with comprehensive training on external bleeding.
Course Videos
The new videos are offered in a digital format through the AHA’s eBook application. The videos may be streamed or downloaded to a device for offline use.
Instructor Manual
The AHA has updated the instructor manual to provide additional support for you. It’s important to spend time reviewing the information detailed in each section when you prepare to teach the course.
Part 1. All AHA instructor manuals have been reorganized, placing general information in Part 1 and course-specific information throughout the other Parts. Part 1 of the instructor manual provides everything you’ll need to prepare for teaching with the course delivery option you’ll be using.
Part 2 of the instructor manual contains information on teaching the course, including how to use lesson plans, interacting with students, and course agendas. It covers both the instructor-led course and the blended-learning course. The hands-on portion of the blended-learning course can now be taught either in an in-person classroom or virtually.
Part 3 of the instructor manual has information on testing. This section will help you understand the skills testing checklists and the optional exam.
Skills testing checklists are available that you can fill out and save electronically on Atlas.heart.org.
Part 4 of the instructor manual contains course outlines, skills testing checklists, critical skills descriptors, and frequently asked questions about CPR and first aid.
Parts 5 through 7 of the instructor manual contain lesson plans for the instructor-led course and the classroom or virtual hands-on portion of the blended-learning course. Lesson plans include specific objectives, instructor tips, and icons to visually guide you throughout the lesson. Course videos are available in digital format online.
Exams
The AHA has an open-resource policy for exams. Open resource does not include open discussion with other students or the instructor. Acceptable resources for the exam may include:
- Student manual (printed or eBook)
- Any notes the student took during the course
Remediation
Effective remediation is an important part of the teaching and learning process. Knowing when and how to provide remediation appropriately can help instructors guide most students to successfully complete the course. Encouraging students to use the skills testing checklists, the critical skills descriptors, and the provider manual will also increase the likelihood of successful skills testing.
If a student requires formal remediation, speak with them privately immediately after testing, then follow the below steps for successful remediation:
- Be respectful, courteous, positive, professional, and diplomatic.
- Review the objectives for a particular scenario or skills station with the student.
- Give positive feedback when desired actions are observed; ask open-ended questions when nonpreferred actions are observed.
- Use the same scenario until the student accomplishes the objectives.
- Don’t assume that poor performance is associated with a lack of knowledge. There may be other factors that are influencing the student’s performance.
- A change of instructor may be necessary.
- The instructor may need to examine their own style of remediation.
Student Workbook
There are 2different Heartsaver student workbooks to choose from, depending on which version of the course you’re teaching. Make sure your students have the correct student workbook for your course.
Heartsaver student workbooks
- First Aid CPR AED
- CPR AED
As part of your teaching preparation, familiarize yourself with the student workbook. It helps the AHA ensure consistency from course to course.
During the course, encourage your students to use the workbook. It contains valuable information that students can reference before, during, and after the course.
