The American Heart Association and Laerdal Medical today announced the nationwide launch of Self-Guided Learning™, a flexible resuscitation training delivery model that enables learners to complete HeartCode® Complete required coursework and skills verification on their own schedule. The initiative addresses the challenge faced by millions of healthcare professionals, workplace safety personnel, and emergency responders who must regularly complete credentialed resuscitation training while balancing demanding schedules and limited access to in-person instruction.
The American Heart Association is the first and 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 many organizations in over 90 countries. Laerdal Medical, a world leader in medical simulation and healthcare education, has collaborated with the Association for more than 20 years to develop and deliver resuscitation education.
Self-Guided Learning allows learners to complete HeartCode Complete courses in Basic Life Support (BLS), Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), and Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) at a time and location that fits their schedule. The training consists of a self-paced online activity compatible with any device, followed by a hands-on skills session at a CPR Verification Station™ learning center. These stations use 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. All training methods offer 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 states soon. Students can locate nearby centers using CPR Finder™, which directs them to a Premier Distributor’s website for steps and instructions 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, CEO 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.”
The self-guided model targets 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 AHA Course Completion eCard. For more information, visit cpr.heart.org or rqipartners.com.
