Heartsaver CPR AED (American Heart Association)

The Heartsaver CPR AED course is a basic cardiopulmonary resuscitation course with the use of a defibrillator (BLSD). The training is suitable for all those who, without experience in the medical or health field, want for personal, professional or regulatory reasons to obtain a certificate that enables the correct use of the automatic external defibrillator (AED) and the execution of cardiopulmonary resuscitation maneuvers (CPR) on people (adults, children and infants) with sudden cardiac arrest.

The same course is practiced all over the world in the same way, with the same methods for theory and practical exercises using a method called “practice while watching”: a video provides the basic structure of the course and the students practice simultaneously with the watching this video. Some studies have shown that students who practice CPR with the guidance of a video acquire and maintain skills in a much better way than other teaching models. Although the instructions in the video provide the basic structure of the course, the instructor still remains a fundamental element of the course contributing to the training of students and facilitating the performance of each course in the classroom. The structure of the course ensures that instructors can devote themselves to the careful observation of students, providing feedback and guiding students’ acquisition of skills.

The ultimate goal is that the student, once the course is finished, is able to perform techniques to save a life. Practical training sessions are performed with the support of dummies and using a didactic defibrillator, with the direct supervision of the instructors. This training allows learners to perform practically the entire cardiorespiratory resuscitation sequence, including the use of the semiautomatic defibrillator, to interact directly with the instructors and to practice the skills acquired. At the end of the course, to receive the certificate of passing the course, each student will have to pass the assessment of skills (practical test).

Theoretical and practical aspects:

• Adult CPR and AED use
• Optional modules in child CPR and AED use and infant CPR, including child and infant choking
• Optional written exam

Weekly frequency

The course requires a preventive study of the manual which will be provided to the participants before the start of the course. The manual resumes all the topics covered within the course. Learners will participate in simulated clinical scenarios and learning stations.

Heartsaver CPR AED – AHA (American Heart Association)

Heartsaver/BLS Instructor – American Heart Association