Millions of people in health care, workplace safety and emergency response roles globally are required to complete credentialed resuscitation training on a recurring basis, often while balancing demanding schedules and limited access to in-person instruction. To address these challenges, the American Heart Association (Association), the world's leading nonprofit organization focused on changing the future of health for all, and Laerdal Medical (Laerdal), one of the world leaders in medical simulation, health care education and resuscitation training, today announced the nationwide launch of Self-Guided Learning™, a flexible, science-based resuscitation training delivery model that enables learners to complete HeartCode® Complete required coursework and skills verification on their own schedule.
The Association is the first and only U.S. training organization directly involved in the creation of resuscitation scientific guidelines and education, leading the development of the official guidelines used by all other CPR and First Aid training providers in the U.S., as well as by many organizations in more than 90 additional countries. Laerdal, using immersive technologies and data-centric insights to help improve survival and health care quality, has collaborated with the Association to develop and bring resuscitation education and training to the health care market and local communities for more than 20 years.
Self-Guided Learning is an independent training delivery option, allowing 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 is comprised of a self-paced, online activity that can be completed using any compatible device and a hands-on, self-guided skills session, which is taken at a CPR Verification Station™ learning center. The station verifies skills using advanced simulation technology to provide real-time, audiovisual, objective feedback and coaching without instructor oversight.
This new Self-Guided Learning delivery model expands the Association's global CPR training footprint, currently encompassing instructor-led, blended learning and a digital CPR training solution that verifies competence every 90 days. Each training method offers BLS, ACLS and PALS courses, with learners receiving an American Heart Association Course Completion eCard upon successful completion of all required activities and sessions.
"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 currently available in 47 states, with expansion soon to all 50, and can be easily located using CPR Finder™. Students enter their ZIP code to view available learning centers in their area and are then directed to the website of a corresponding Premier Distributor 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, 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 ideal for the following audiences:
- health care professionals and students seeking flexible training options and who prefer self-paced, independent learning;
- allied health care providers;
- remote and rural health care and workplace staff;
- emergency medical services' professionals; and
- initial or renewal learners requiring an American Heart Association Course Completion eCard.
