Online CPR Instructor Courses and Classes Overview

CPR instructor courses are available to students interested in obtaining the skills required to perform and teach CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation). Available in online, hybrid and on-campus formats, CPR instructor courses prepare students to teach the skills that may help save the life of a friend, relative or stranger. Students receive training on CPR, first aid, blood borne pathogens, AEDs (automated external defibrillators) and CPR for children and infants.

Online CPR Instructor Courses and Classes

CPR instructor courses are offered at many colleges and career-oriented technical schools. Students enrolled in American Heart Association (AHA) CPR instructor courses can complete their core instructor training online but must meet additional requirements in person. These requirements include alignment with an AHA training center and completion of instructor courses in BLS (basic life support), Heartsaver, ACLS (advanced cardiac life support) or PALS (pediatric advanced life support). To become an AHA-certified CPR instructor, students teach an AHA course while being monitored by an experienced instructor.
Online CPR instructor courses and classes offer students a flexible way to gain the skills required to receive the American Heart Association Certification card as an instructor. Blended CPR courses, which combine traditional teacher-led classroom work with multimedia online courses, are the recommended learning method.
The AHA also recommends becoming certified in CPR and first aid before enrolling in CPR instructor courses; this initial certification can be earned partially online. Graduates can find employment as certified CPR instructors in hospitals, learning institutions, fire departments, emergency medical services or other medical facilities.

Online Requirements

Students enrolled in online CPR instructor courses need a computer, or access to one, with an Internet connection and an e-mail address. Cable, DSL or other high-speed Internet is preferred. Learning materials are delivered through various methods, including webinars, webcasts, DVDs, CD-Roms, printed material, audio casts, podcasts or satellite broadcasts with Web course archives.
Computers must have compatible Web browsers and media players. Students are required to purchase the course instruction booklets and any necessary media, such as CDs or DVDs. Depending on the course, computers may have basic hardware requirements, which can include sufficient processor speed, RAM and hard drive space.

List of Online CPR Instructor Courses

Heartsaver First Aid Course

The Heartsaver first aid course is aimed at employees training at businesses, companies or other organizations or individuals responsible for responding to first aid emergencies as part of their job description. Students learn about the fundamentals of adult first aid and dealing with injuries and emergencies, whether medical or environmental. This course, typically an online course, is usually the first half of a 2-part sequence, with the second half involving a skills course with an AHA instructor.

Basic Life Support Course

Basic life support (BLS) courses teach students CPR for adults, children and infants. Students also receive training on the use of automated external defibrillators (AEDs). BLS training is commonly offered in a 2-part online and in-person format; the course results in certification.

BLS and CPR Instructor Course

The main portion of this online course is the AHA's core instructor curriculum. The core areas of study include instructor professionalism, classroom management, lesson planning, teaching methods and student evaluation. Aspiring CPR instructors learn to prepare for and handle AHA classes, answer student questions and assess how well students have learned the CPR techniques.
After finishing the online core of this course, instructor trainees must usually attend an additional on-campus session, then complete their supervised teaching period. Successful candidates receive their certified CPR instructor card, which is valid for two years.