CPR Instructor Course – (AHA 2025 Guidelines)

Course Type: Instructor Development Course
Target Disciplines: BLS Instructor (adaptable for Heartsaver instructor)
Total Course Time: 12–16 hours (plus monitored teaching session)
Format: Blended Learning – Online + In-Person Instructor Essentials + Monitored Teaching

Course Purpose

Prepare instructor candidates to teach American Heart Association (AHA) CPR courses using the 2025 Guidelines for CPR & ECC.
Candidates will learn teaching methodology, course management, skills evaluation, and quality assurance.

Course Learning Outcomes

Candidates will demonstrate the ability to:

• Teach CPR/AED/BLS skills accurately according to 2025 AHA guidelines
• Lead classes confidently using AHA Instructor methodology
• Evaluate students consistently using AHA skills checklists & testing standards.
• Manage all administrative tasks (rosters, eCards, equipment, documentation).
• Maintain instructor alignment, updates, and continuing education requirements.
   

Course Requirements

• Prerequisites

Candidates must:

• Hold a current AHA CPR provider card (BLS or Heartsaver, depending on track).
• Complete AHA Instructor Essentials Online (discipline-specific)
• Be aligned or seeking alignment with an AHA Training Center (TC)
• Be at least 18 years old.
   

Materials Needed (Instructor Candidate Must Bring)

• Certificate of completion for Instructor Essentials Online
• Current AHA provider certification
• Instructor manual (2025 BLS or Heartsaver)
• Student manual (2025 provider manual)
• Pen/paper or digital device
   

Training TS/TC Provides

• Manikins (adult/child/infant)
• AED trainers
• CPR feedback devices (compression depth/rate)
• First aid supplies (if applicable)
• Course skills testing sheets
• Administrative forms
• AV system, projector, screen

Course Goals (Learning Objectives for Instructor Candidates)

By the end of the course, participants will be able to:

• Demonstrate mastery of current 2025 AHA CPR & ECC science and guidelines. 
• Effectively teach CPR, AED, and First Aid (or BLS-level) skills to students, using AHA-approved materials and methods.
• Facilitate a course: plan and organize a class, manage logistics (materials, timing, space), conduct skills practice & testing, give constructive feedback, and evaluate students objectively.
• Manage course administration tasks appropriately: maintain records, issue student cards and eCards, align with a Training Center (TC), and comply with AHA course policies.
• Adapt teaching for different audiences (healthcare vs lay audience, adult vs pediatric, first-aid vs BLS/AED), understanding the scope and limitations of each course type.