DALLAS - March 4, 2026 (NEWMEDIAWIRE) - 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.

Additional Resources:

• Multimedia is available on the right column of release link.
• For additional information about Self-Guided Learning, visit CPRFinder.com.
• To learn more about the Association’s CPR Instructor-led and blended training options and find available courses, visit cpr.heart.org.
• Visit rqipartners.com, the partnership between and service provider for the Association and Laerdal, for information on digital CPR training programs.

About the American Heart Association

The American Heart Association is a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives. Dedicated to ensuring equitable health in all communities, the organization has been a leading source of health information for more than one hundred years. Supported by millions of volunteers, we fund groundbreaking research, advocate for the public’s health and provide resources to save and improve lives affected by heart disease and stroke. Connect with us on heart.org, Facebook, X or by calling 1-800-AHA-USA1.   

About Laerdal Medical 

Laerdal is dedicated to our mission of helping save lives. Laerdal Medical is a world leader in healthcare education and resuscitation training that uses immersive technologies and data-centric insights to increase survival and improve healthcare quality. Improving the quality of care is part of our mission, to help save more lives. And we have established the goal to help save one million more lives. Every year. By 2030. However, we can’t do this alone. This is a shared goal of the Laerdal Group. A group of companies that develops healthcare-related solutions and programs focused on a common mission to help save lives, together with our Partners. Laerdal is a global company in 30+ countries worldwide with its head office located in Stavanger, Norway. For more information, visit www.laerdal.com.

Media Inquiries:

American Heart Association: Sarah D. Williams; 214-706-1156; sarah.d.williams@heart.org

Laerdal Medical: Inger Johanne Stenberg; 479-059-5829; inger.johanne.stenberg@laerdal.com

For Public Inquiries: 1-800-AHA-USA1 (242-8721)
heart.org and stroke.org 

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