The American Heart Association (Association) and Laerdal Medical (Laerdal) have announced the nationwide launch of Self-Guided Learning™, a flexible resuscitation training delivery model that enables learners to complete HeartCode® Complete coursework and skills verification independently. This initiative addresses the challenge faced by millions of healthcare, workplace safety, and emergency response professionals who must regularly complete credentialed resuscitation training while balancing demanding schedules and limited access to in-person instruction.
The Association is the only U.S. training organization directly involved in creating resuscitation scientific guidelines and education, leading the development of official guidelines used by all other CPR and First Aid training providers in the U.S. and by organizations in over 90 countries. Laerdal, which uses immersive technologies and data-centric insights to improve survival and healthcare quality, has collaborated with the Association for more than 20 years to develop resuscitation education and training.
Self-Guided Learning allows learners to complete HeartCode Complete Basic Life Support (BLS), Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), and Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) courses at a time and location that fits their schedule. HeartCode Complete includes a self-paced, online activity compatible with any device and a hands-on, self-guided skills session taken at a CPR Verification Station™ learning center. The station uses advanced simulation technology to provide real-time, audiovisual, objective feedback and coaching without instructor oversight.
This new delivery model expands the Association’s global CPR training footprint, which already includes instructor-led, blended learning, and a digital CPR training solution that verifies competence every 90 days. Each method offers BLS, ACLS, and PALS courses, with learners receiving an American Heart Association Course Completion eCard upon successful completion.
“By expanding training options across the full spectrum, from instructor-led to self-guided learning, we are removing barriers to access while maintaining the science, skills validation and standards the American Heart Association is known for,” said John Meiners, chief of Mission Aligned Businesses for the American Heart Association. “Self-Guided Learning is an important part of that approach, helping prepare more people to act when lives are on the line and bringing us closer to our goal of doubling cardiac arrest survival by 2030.”
As of March 2026, Self-Guided Learning and CPR Verification Station learning centers are available in 47 states, with expansion to all 50 soon. Students can locate centers using CPR Finder™ by entering their ZIP code to view available learning centers and then accessing a corresponding Premier Distributor’s website for steps to complete their course requirements.
“Self-Guided Learning provides people who need BLS, ACLS and PALS training and prefer independent learning an easily accessible, effective and ideal training option to fit their schedule,” said Alf-Christian Dybdahl, chief executive officer of Laerdal Medical. “This delivery model represents another significant milestone in our organizations’ shared mission and collaboration to transform how CPR is taught and learned.”
Self-Guided Learning is designed for healthcare professionals and students seeking flexible training, allied health providers, remote and rural staff, emergency medical services professionals, and initial or renewal learners requiring an American Heart Association Course Completion eCard. For more information, visit cpr.heart.org or rqipartners.com for digital CPR training programs.
