Self-Guided Learning
Self-Guided CPR Training | BLS, ACLS, PALS & Heartsaver
Complete American Heart Association® training with the flexibility of Self-Guided Learning at Citywide CPR. Healthcare professionals can complete BLS, ACLS and PALS certification or renewal, while individuals can choose Heartsaver® CPR, AED and First Aid training at select locations.
Complete your online learning at your own pace, then complete your hands-on skills using simulation technology and real-time feedback. Whether you’re training for a healthcare requirement, CPR and First Aid certification, or need training for your staff, Citywide CPR offers flexible options to help you get started.
Getting Started
Learn BLS, ACLS & PALS on Your Schedule
Self-Guided Learning is a flexible American Heart Association® (AHA) way to learn and earn an AHA BLS, ACLS or PALS Course Completion Card. Self-Guided Learning combines self-paced online learning with a self-guided skills session completed at a CPR Verification Station™ learning center.
Complete the cognitive portion of your training online at your own pace, then schedule your required hands-on skills session at a participating Citywide CPR location. This flexible training model gives healthcare professionals and students another way to complete BLS, ACLS and PALS certification or renewal around work schedules, school, clinical rotations and other responsibilities.
What Is American Heart Association Self-Guided Learning?
Self-Guided Learning allows learners to complete the cognitive portion of their training independently and then complete the required hands-on skills using approved equipment that provides real-time feedback. For BLS, ACLS and PALS, learners complete self-paced online learning followed by a self-guided skills session at a CPR Verification Station.
The Process
How Self-Guided BLS, ACLS & PALS Training Works
Choose Your AHA Course
Select BLS, ACLS or PALS based on the certification required for your healthcare role, employer, school or clinical program.
Complete Your Online Learning
Complete the applicable American Heart Association online coursework at your own pace.
Schedule Your Skills Session
Choose a participating Citywide CPR location and an appointment time that works for your schedule.
Complete Hands-On Skills
Complete hands-on skills practice and testing at a CPR Verification Station™ using simulation technology with real-time feedback.
Complete Course Requirements
Successfully complete the required online learning and hands-on skills portion for your BLS, ACLS or PALS course.
Healthcare Certification
Choose Your Self-Guided Healthcare Course
Citywide CPR offers American Heart Association Self-Guided BLS, ACLS and PALS certification and renewal for healthcare professionals and students. Choose the course required for your healthcare role, employer, school or clinical program.
Self-Guided BLS Certification & Renewal
Need American Heart Association BLS certification or renewal for a healthcare job, nursing program, clinical requirement or another professional requirement?
Complete your applicable online BLS coursework at your own pace, then attend your scheduled Self-Guided BLS Skills Session.
Need the complete course?
Choose BLS Online + Skills.
Already completed HeartCode BLS?
Choose BLS Skills Only to complete your required hands-on skills.
Self-Guided ACLS Certification & Renewal
Healthcare professionals who need American Heart Association ACLS certification or renewal can complete their training through Self-Guided Learning at participating Citywide CPR locations.
Complete the applicable online ACLS coursework at your own pace, then attend your scheduled Self-Guided ACLS Skills Session.
Need the complete course?
Choose ACLS Online + Skills.
Already completed HeartCode ACLS?
Choose ACLS Skills Only to complete your required hands-on skills.
Self-Guided PALS Certification & Renewal
Healthcare professionals who need American Heart Association PALS certification or renewal can complete their training through Self-Guided Learning at participating Citywide CPR locations.
Complete the applicable online PALS coursework at your own pace, then attend your scheduled Self-Guided PALS Skills Session.
Need the complete course?
Choose PALS Online + Skills.
Already completed HeartCode PALS?
Choose PALS Skills Only to complete your required hands-on skills.
The Technology
CPR Verification Stations & HeartCode® Complete
What Is a CPR Verification Station™?
A CPR Verification Station™ is used to complete the hands-on portion of American Heart Association Self-Guided Learning for BLS, ACLS and PALS.
After completing the applicable online coursework, learners complete hands-on skills practice and testing using simulation technology that provides real-time feedback as they demonstrate the skills required for their course.
At participating Citywide CPR locations, healthcare professionals and students can schedule Self-Guided Skills Sessions for BLS, ACLS and PALS with flexible appointment options.
What Is HeartCode® Complete?
HeartCode Complete combines comprehensive online learning with hands-on skills practice and testing, allowing learners to complete applicable resuscitation training at a pace that works for them.
Learners complete the online portion independently and then complete their required hands-on skills at a CPR Verification Station.
For healthcare professionals completing BLS, ACLS or PALS, HeartCode Complete provides a flexible path that combines online learning with the hands-on practice and testing required to complete the course.
Choose Your Pathway
Do You Need Online + Skills or Skills Only?
Online + Skills
Choose Online + Skills when you need both parts of your applicable certification pathway: the online coursework plus the required hands-on skills session.
Available options include:
Skills Only
Already completed the applicable American Heart Association HeartCode online course?
Choose Skills Only when you have already completed the online course and only need the required hands-on skills session.
Available options include:
For Individuals
Self-Guided Heartsaver® CPR, AED & First Aid Training
Not a healthcare provider? Citywide CPR also offers American Heart Association Heartsaver® CPR, AED and First Aid training, including Self-Guided options at select locations.
Heartsaver training is designed for individuals who need CPR, AED and/or First Aid training for a workplace, regulatory or other requirement and do not require healthcare-provider BLS, ACLS or PALS training.
Complete the applicable online learning and then complete the required hands-on skills portion.
Self-Guided Heartsaver availability varies by course and Citywide CPR location.
For Organizations
CPR Training for Your Staff
Need to train multiple employees? Citywide CPR provides American Heart Association training options for both healthcare organizations and non-healthcare workplaces.
Healthcare Staff
Need BLS, ACLS or PALS for your healthcare team?
Citywide CPR can help organizations coordinate certification and renewal for healthcare professionals, with flexible training options designed for groups.
CPR, AED & First Aid for Staff
For non-healthcare workplaces, Citywide CPR offers American Heart Association CPR, AED and First Aid training options for employees and groups.
Onsite Training at Your Workplace
Prefer to have the training come to you?
Citywide CPR offers onsite group training for organizations that want CPR training delivered directly at their workplace.
Who It's For
Flexible AHA Training for Healthcare Professionals & Students
Self-Guided BLS, ACLS and PALS training provides a flexible option for healthcare professionals and students who need certification around demanding schedules.
Nurses & Nursing Students
Physicians
EMTs & Paramedics
Respiratory Therapists
Physician Assistants
Dental Professionals
Medical Assistants
Allied Healthcare Professionals
Medical & Healthcare Students
Clinical Professionals
Renewal Candidates
Whether you need certification for a new healthcare position, hospital requirement, clinical rotation, school program or upcoming renewal, Self-Guided Learning provides a flexible way to complete your required training.
Traditional Classroom Training
An instructor conducts both the cognitive and hands-on portions of the course, on a fixed class schedule.
VS
Self-Guided Learning
Learners complete the cognitive portion independently, then complete the hands-on skills portion using approved equipment that provides real-time feedback — offering greater scheduling flexibility around work, school and clinical rotations.
Get Prepared
See BLS, ACLS & PALS Skills Before Your Session
Preparing for your hands-on skills session? Explore Citywide CPR's Skills Demonstration Video Library to become familiar with CPR compressions, ventilations, two-person CPR and other hands-on skills you may complete during BLS, ACLS and PALS training.
Play Video about Thumbnail for the Adult & Child CPR Compressions skills demonstration video.
All Courses
Adult & Child CPR Compression Technique
This video demonstrates the proper adult and child CPR compression technique used during American Heart Association BLS, ACLS, PALS, and Heartsaver skills sessions. The compression-to-ventilation ratio varies by course (for example, PALS two-rescuer scenarios differ from BLS and Heartsaver), but the compression technique shown is applicable across certifications.
Play Video about Adult and child two-person rescuer CPR for AHA BLS and ACLS Skill #3
BLS & ACLS 2-Person
Adult & Child CPR
Watch the proper two-person CPR technique for adults and children used during American Heart Association BLS and ACLS skills sessions. This short demonstration helps you prepare for your Self-Guided Skills Session.
Play Video about Thumbnail for the 2-Person Infant CPR Skills Demonstration video used for American Heart Association BLS and PALS certification.
BLS & PALS
2-Person Infant CPR
Learn the proper two-person infant CPR technique used during American Heart Association BLS and PALS skills sessions. This short demonstration helps you prepare before your certification appointment.
Find Self-Guided CPR Training Near You
Complete your American Heart Association training with the flexibility of Self-Guided Learning. Choose the training you need, complete the applicable online learning and schedule your hands-on skills session at a participating Citywide CPR location. Whether you need BLS, ACLS, PALS, CPR, AED or First Aid training, Citywide CPR can help you find the right training pathway.
Common Questions
FAQ's About Self-Guided CPR Training
Self-Guided Learning is an American Heart Association training format where learners complete the cognitive learning portion independently and then complete hands-on skills using approved equipment that provides real-time feedback. For BLS, ACLS and PALS, Self-Guided Learning combines self-paced online learning with a self-guided skills session at a CPR Verification Station learning center.
A CPR Verification Station is used to complete the hands-on skills portion of Self-Guided Learning for BLS, ACLS and PALS. Learners use simulation technology that provides feedback as they complete required hands-on skills practice and testing.
HeartCode Complete combines online learning with hands-on skills practice and testing. Learners complete the applicable online learning and then complete the required hands-on portion at a CPR Verification Station.
Yes. Citywide CPR offers Self-Guided BLS certification and renewal options for healthcare professionals and students at participating locations.
Yes. Choose BLS Online + Skills when you need the complete certification pathway or BLS Skills Only if you have already completed the applicable HeartCode BLS online course.
Yes. Citywide CPR offers Self-Guided ACLS certification and renewal options at participating locations.
Yes. Citywide CPR offers Self-Guided PALS certification and renewal options at participating locations.
Yes. Citywide CPR offers American Heart Association Heartsaver CPR, AED and First Aid training, including Self-Guided options at select locations. Availability varies by course and location.
Learners complete required hands-on skills using simulation technology that provides real-time feedback as they practice and demonstrate the skills required for their course.
If you have already completed the applicable HeartCode online course, choose the corresponding Skills Only option to complete your required hands-on skills session.
Online + Skills is for learners who need both the applicable online coursework and hands-on skills session. Skills Only is for learners who have already completed the applicable HeartCode online course and only need the required hands-on portion.
Self-Guided Learning can be a convenient option for healthcare and nursing students who need an applicable AHA BLS, ACLS or PALS course for school or clinical requirements. Students should confirm which course their school or clinical program requires.
Use Citywide CPR’s Find a Location page to choose a convenient location and view available Self-Guided training options.
Yes. Citywide CPR offers training options for healthcare teams and non-healthcare workplaces, including BLS, ACLS, PALS, CPR, AED and First Aid training. Organizations can also request onsite training at their workplace.