American Heart Association (AHA)

 Best for medical professionals & emergency responders The American Heart Association is the gold standard in healthcare. Most hospitals, EMS agencies, and medical schools require AHA certification.

Who uses AHA:

• Hospitals & trauma centers
• EMS & Fire departments
• Medical & nursing schools
• Dental offices
• Specialty clinics and labs
   

You should choose AHA if you are:
✔ A nurse, CNA, MA, paramedic, EMT
✔ A doctor, PA, NP, or medical student
✔ Entering clinical rotations
✔ Working in a hospital or medical office

Why choose AHA:

• Most widely recognized in the medical field
• Required by most healthcare employers
• Advanced training options (ACLS, PALS, BLS)
   

May NOT be necessary for:
General public, schools, or non-medical workplaces, but still accepted everywhere.

 Best for schools, military communities, and public safety The American Red Cross is trusted worldwide and widely used across schools, community organizations, and the U.S. military for non-medical personnel and family readiness training.

Who uses Red Cross:

• Schools & childcare programs 
• Gyms, pools & recreation centers 
• Corporate workplaces
• Federal agencies
• U.S. Military community programs & base training
   

You should choose ARC if you are:
✔ A teacher, coach, or camp counselor
✔ A parent or caregiver
✔ Military base staff or spouse training
✔ Recreation/fitness professional

Why choose ARC:

• Globally recognized certifications
• Ideal for community & family preparedness
• Meets OSHA requirements
   

May NOT be accepted by:
Hospitals and medical training programs requiring AHA only

Best for industrial & corporate safety programs. HSI provides practical emergency training aligned with OSHA and workplace safety standards. Designed for real-world workplace emergencies.

Who uses HSI:

• Construction companies
• Industrial facilities & factories
• Manufacturing & logistics operations
• Corporate safety programs
• Security teams
   

You should choose HSI if you are:
✔ A safety manager or supervisor
✔ In construction or skilled trades
✔ Working in a factory or warehouse
✔ Leading corporate emergency planning

Why choose HSI:

• OSHA-compliant
• Practical workplace-focused training
• Great for group training
   

May NOT be accepted by:
Hospitals, nursing/medical programs, EMS agencies

Who it's for:
Paramedics, nurses, physicians, advanced providers, and clinical staff working in emergency or critical care environments.

What it covers:

• Advanced cardiac arrest management
• EKG interpretation & arrhythmias
• Airway management & medication administration
• Post–cardiac arrest care
• Team-based resuscitation
   

Best for:
Emergency departments, ICUs, cath labs, ALS transport crews, code-team members, and those responsible for advanced lifesaving interventions.

Who it's for:
Medical professionals who treat infants and children — EMS, ER, ICU, pediatric nurses, physicians, and allied health providers.

What it covers:

• Pediatric assessment and vital signs
• Respiratory and cardiac emergencies in children
• Pediatric arrest algorithms
• Fluid & medication management
• Pediatric airway & shock management
   

Best for:
Pediatric and emergency clinicians or anyone working with critically ill children.

Who it's for:
Healthcare and public-safety professionals — EMTs, paramedics, nurses, physicians, CNAs, MAs, dental providers, and clinical students.

What it covers:

• Adult, child & infant CPR
• AED operation
• Bag-mask ventilation
• High-performance team CPR
• Choking emergencies
  

Best for:
Anyone working in a medical or emergency environment or preparing to enter patient care roles.

Who it's for:
Non-medical professionals, workplaces, schools, childcare providers, and community members.

What it covers:

• Adult, child & infant CPR
• AED operation
• Choking emergencies
• First aid (injury, bleeding, allergic reactions, stroke, etc. — depending on course)

Versions available:

• Heartsaver CPR/AED
• Heartsaver First Aid
• Heartsaver First Aid + CPR/AED
• Heartsaver Pediatric First Aid + CPR/AED
   

Best for:
Teachers, coaches, childcare workers, fitness instructors, security personnel, workplace safety teams, parents, babysitters, and anyone who wants to be prepared.

Who it’s for:
Healthcare providers, EMS/fire personnel, teachers, corporate safety staff, and motivated individuals who want to teach CPR, AED & First Aid.

What it covers:

• Teaching CPR/AED & First Aid skills
• Running and organizing a class
• Testing & skill evaluation
• Student coaching & feedback
• Administrative requirements & certification process
   

Outcome:
You will become a certified CPR Instructor, able to teach and certify students in lifesaving skills.

Best for:
Those looking to grow professionally, teach for their organization, start a training business, or join the 910CPR teaching network.