Walking into your American Heart Association skills session is much easier when you know what to expect. Whether you’re completing BLS Certification, ACLS Certification, or PALS Certification, reviewing the required CPR techniques before your appointment can help you arrive feeling prepared and confident.
To support participants before their appointment, Citywide CPR offers the American Heart Association BLS, ACLS & PALS Skills Demonstration Video Library. These short instructional videos demonstrate the same skills you’ll perform during your skills session, giving you an opportunity to become familiar with the techniques before arriving.
Why Watch the Skills Demonstration Videos Before Your Appointment?
Many participants have questions about what happens during a skills session. Even experienced healthcare professionals may feel more comfortable after reviewing the required CPR techniques ahead of time.
The Skills Demonstration Video Library provides a visual overview of the hands-on skills performed during American Heart Association BLS, ACLS, and PALS skills sessions. Watching the demonstrations before your appointment helps reduce uncertainty so you can focus on performing each skill correctly during your scheduled session.
What You’ll Learn in the Video Library
The Citywide CPR video library contains short demonstrations covering several of the core skills required during American Heart Association skills sessions.
Participants can review videos covering:
- Adult and child CPR compressions
- Adult and child rescue breathing (ventilations)
- Infant CPR compressions
- Additional CPR techniques demonstrated during BLS, ACLS, and PALS skills sessions
Each video focuses on a specific skill, allowing participants to review individual techniques as often as needed before their appointment.
Watching the Videos Helps Build Confidence
Confidence comes from preparation.
Instead of arriving at your appointment wondering what you’ll be asked to demonstrate, you can watch the videos beforehand and become familiar with the sequence of skills you’ll perform.
Many participants find it helpful to:
- Watch each demonstration from beginning to end.
- Replay individual skills several times.
- Compare what they learned during the online HeartCode course with the demonstrations.
- Refresh their memory the day before their appointment.
Reviewing the demonstrations doesn’t replace your required online course, but it can reinforce what you’ve already learned and make your skills session feel more familiar.
A Helpful Resource for BLS, ACLS, and PALS Participants
The Skills Demonstration Video Library is valuable for participants completing:
- American Heart Association BLS Certification
- American Heart Association ACLS Certification
- American Heart Association PALS Certification
Whether you’re earning your certification for the first time or completing a renewal, reviewing the demonstrations can help you prepare for the required hands-on skills portion of your course.
Healthcare professionals, nursing students, respiratory therapists, EMS personnel, physicians, and other clinical providers often appreciate having a convenient way to review CPR techniques before their appointment.
What to Expect During Your Skills Session
After completing the required HeartCode online course (or bringing proof of completion for a Skills Only appointment), you’ll attend your scheduled skills session.
During your appointment, you’ll demonstrate the CPR skills appropriate for your certification level using American Heart Association-compliant simulation technology. Most Citywide CPR skills sessions are completed in approximately 30 minutes, although actual completion time varies depending on the course and participant.
Watching the demonstration videos beforehand helps you arrive better prepared to focus on performing high-quality CPR rather than wondering what comes next.
Review at Your Own Pace Before Your Appointment
One of the advantages of the Skills Demonstration Video Library is flexibility.
Participants can watch the videos:
- Before beginning the online course
- While completing the HeartCode course
- The evening before their appointment
- Immediately before traveling to their skills session
Since the videos are organized by individual skill, it’s easy to review the specific techniques you want to practice without having to search through lengthy training materials.
Why Citywide CPR Provides Free Skills Demonstration Videos
Citywide CPR understands that preparation improves confidence.
The Skills Demonstration Video Library was created to help participants become familiar with the CPR techniques they’ll demonstrate during their appointment. By providing these free educational resources, Citywide CPR helps learners arrive better prepared and more comfortable before beginning their American Heart Association skills session.
It’s one more way Citywide CPR supports healthcare professionals and healthcare students throughout the certification process.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are the Skills Demonstration Videos free to watch?
Yes. Citywide CPR provides the American Heart Association BLS, ACLS, and PALS Skills Demonstration Video Library as a free educational resource for participants preparing for their skills session.
Do the videos replace the HeartCode online course?
No. The demonstration videos are intended to supplement your preparation. Participants must still complete the required American Heart Association HeartCode online course or meet the requirements for a Skills Only appointment.
Which certifications are covered?
The video library includes demonstrations for American Heart Association BLS, ACLS, and PALS skills sessions.
Should I watch the videos before my appointment?
Yes. Reviewing the demonstrations before your appointment can help you become familiar with the skills you’ll perform and improve your confidence before arriving.
How long does a Citywide CPR skills session usually take?
Most skills sessions are completed in approximately 30 minutes, although completion time varies by participant and certification level.
Conclusion
Preparing before your appointment can make your American Heart Association skills session a more comfortable and confident experience. Citywide CPR’s American Heart Association BLS, ACLS & PALS Skills Demonstration Video Library provides participants with a convenient way to review key CPR techniques before arriving for their appointment.
Whether you’re completing BLS, ACLS, or PALS Certification, spending a few minutes watching the demonstrations can help reinforce what you’ve learned, reduce uncertainty, and prepare you for a successful skills session.
Getting ready for your American Heart Association skills session?
Visit the American Heart Association BLS, ACLS & PALS Skills Demonstration Video Library to review CPR techniques before your appointment. Watching the demonstrations can help you arrive prepared and confident for your upcoming BLS, ACLS, or PALS skills session.