BLS EDUCATIONAL GUIDE
What Is AED Guide?
Review automated external defibrillator (AED) concepts before beginning your HeartCode BLS eLearning course.
Automated External Defibrillator (AED) concepts are an important part of the American Heart Association HeartCode BLS eLearning course. Healthcare professionals learn how an AED supports high-quality CPR during cardiac arrest and why early defibrillation is an important part of emergency cardiovascular care. This guide supplements—but does not replace—the official American Heart Association course materials.
WHAT IS AN AED?
An Automated External Defibrillator (AED) is a device designed to analyze heart rhythms and deliver a shock when appropriate for certain cardiac emergencies. During the HeartCode BLS eLearning course, students learn how AED concepts work together with high-quality CPR and effective team communication.
WHO NEEDS BLS CERTIFICATION?
Healthcare professionals commonly requiring BLS certification include:
- Registered Nurses (RN)
- Physicians
- Nurse Practitioners
- Physician Assistants
- Respiratory Therapists
- Paramedics
- Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs)
- Dental Professionals
- Healthcare Students
AED CONCEPTS
The HeartCode BLS eLearning course introduces the role of AEDs during emergency cardiovascular care while emphasizing patient assessment and high-quality CPR.
Topics commonly covered include:
- Recognition of cardiac arrest
- AED safety concepts
- Early defibrillation concepts
- High-quality CPR concepts
- Team communication
- Evidence-based emergency response
- Continuous patient assessment
How to Prepare
Reviewing AED concepts before beginning the HeartCode BLS eLearning course can help reinforce emergency response principles. The in-person BLS skills session focuses on demonstrating high-quality CPR skills.
- Complete the HeartCode BLS eLearning course before your skills session.
- Review AED concepts.
- Become familiar with high-quality CPR principles.
- Arrive prepared to demonstrate high-quality CPR skills.
- Key Takeaways
- AED concepts are introduced during the HeartCode BLS eLearning course.
- Early defibrillation supports high-quality CPR during cardiac emergencies.
- Patient assessment and teamwork remain essential.
- The in-person BLS skills session focuses on demonstrating high-quality CPR skills.
Frequently Asked Questions
American Heart Association BLS certification is typically valid for two years.
BLS certification is intended for healthcare professionals and healthcare students who may respond to medical emergencies requiring CPR and AED use.
Yes. BLS is designed for healthcare professionals and includes high-quality CPR, AED use, team dynamics, and emergency response concepts taught during the HeartCode BLS eLearning course.
Yes. Students complete the HeartCode BLS eLearning course before attending the in-person skills session, which focuses on demonstrating high-quality CPR skills.
