New CPR guidelines: what changes in our BLS classes

Every few years the American Heart Association (AHA) reviews the science of resuscitation and updates its CPR guidelines. The 2025 Guidelines are now in all AHA Basic Life Support (BLS) courses: AHA instructors had until February 28, 2026 to complete their science update in order to keep teaching.

What is new in the BLS course

• New videos and real-life scenarios, both in the hospital and outside it — including scenarios of cardiac arrest in women.
• Infant CPR: both infant chest-compression techniques are now part of the skills test.
• Bystander hands-only CPR is added to the out-of-hospital skills scenario.
• Choking: the steps for severe airway obstruction were revised.
• An updated Chain of Survival, new algorithms and new illustrations in the provider manual.

What it means for you

The basics have not changed: call for help, push hard and fast in the center of the chest, and use an AED as soon as one arrives. What the update brings is more realistic practice, so you are ready for the situations you will really meet at work.

Our CPR & First Aid (BLS) classes run every day, and private sessions are available on request. Book your class.

Sources: American Heart Association – 2025 Guidelines FAQ (BLS) · ProTrainings – What’s new in CPR and First Aid