Questions & Answers

Q: What is the minimum age to learn CPR?

A: The AHA does not mandate a minimum age requirement for learning CPR. The ability to perform CPR is based more on body strength than age. Studies have shown that children as young as nine years old can learn and retain CPR skills.

Q: Why is AED training included in all your CPR courses?

A: The science in the official AHA Guidelines for CPR and ECC shows that victims have a greater chance of survival from cardiac arrest when high-quality CPR includes use of an AED.

Q: I need a general CPR course to prepare me to save the life of a loved one. Which course is best for me?

A: Family & Friends® CPR provides basic CPR training in a dynamic group environment using the research-proven practice-while-watching method. Find an AHA Training Center near you. You may also be interested in learning basic CPR skills using the AHA’s CPR Anytime kit, which you can share with family, friends and loved ones.

Q: Which CPR course should a "first responder" or “professional rescuer” take?

A: First responders or professional rescuers generally include fire, police, and emergency medical personnel. These types of prehospital professionals usually need to complete a Basic Life Support (BLS) course.

Q: Which course should a daycare provider take?

A: The AHA’s Heartsaver Pediatric First Aid CPR AED Course is designed to meet regulatory requirements for childcare workers in all 50 United States. The AHA offers this course in both blended learning and classroom-based formats. 

Q: Can I take an AHA CPR course online?

A: For American Heart Association courses that include psychomotor skills such as CPR, students must complete a hands-on skills session to obtain an AHA course completion card. With AHA blended learning, students will practice and test skills to ensure competency during the hands-on skills session. 

Q: Do the AHA’s BLS courses include first aid?

A: No, first aid is not included in the AHA’s BLS/CPR courses. 

Q: For the purposes of AHA’s CPR and first aid training, what age constitutes an infant, child and adult?

A: In CPR and first aid training,

• An infant is younger than one year

• A child is older than one year and has not reached puberty

• An adult is anyone who has gone through or is going through puberty