Below is today’s ECC Beat.  Things to note:
  • 2025 Guidelines Release Information.  Guidelines will be released on 10/22/25 and updated BLS and Heartsaver materials will be available for purchase on 10/22/25.
  • Instructors have 90 days to transition to the new materials
  • Instructors have 90 days to complete the required update course
  • Course listings in the AHA “Find a Class” tool must meet AHA requirements.  An email was sent out earlier this week to all instructors we believe have a website or post classes about this.  If you did NOT receive that email from us, please let us know!
Related info:  Next month’s Instructor Newsletter will have a lot of information about the AHA’s Training Center Accountability Project, our upcoming Open House, and Instructor Updates/Professional Development.
Take care,

Gail Klanchesser, MPA TCC

Coastal CPR & First Aid, LLC

603/834-3177 | gail@coastalcpr.com

www.CoastalCPR.com

Aligned with Coastal CPR & First Aid, Hampton, NH USA

From: American Heart Association ECC Beat <email@heartemail.org>
Sent: Friday, April 25, 2025 4:11 PM
To: Gail Klanchesser <gail@coastalcpr.com>
Subject: ECC Beat – April 25, 2025

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ECC Beat - American Heart Association
April 25, 2025
The Pulse This Week…
Note: To view information in some links, you will be required to login to your AHA Atlas account.
2025 Guidelines Information and Resources
Now Available

In an email communication that was sent Monday, April 21, 2025, the American Heart Association (AHA) shared important information regarding the release of the 2025 Guidelines for Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and Emergency Cardiovascular Care (ECC). The Guidelines are currently scheduled to be released October 22, 2025. AHA is expected to simultaneously launch new, updated courses and materials for Resuscitation Quality Improvement® (RQI®) and HeartCode ® programs, healthcare products in the core disciplines of Basic Life Support (BLS), Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS), and Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) and for the Heartsaver® First Aid CPR AED product line on October 22.

Once the Guidelines are released, there will be a 90-day transition timeline during which AHA Instructors will need to take an Instructor Update course for each discipline they teach. Beginning at 12:00 a.m. CT March 1, 2026, Instructors need to use the new, updated course materials to teach the updated courses.

For additional information about the timeline and Instructor Updates and a list of new, updated courses and materials that are expected to launch on October 22, please visit the 2025 Guidelines Communications webpage (Atlas log-in required).

Ethan Rutherford (center) with his parents, Mark and Erin
Teen’s Brush with Death Inspires Remarkable Journey of
Resilience and Achievement

Ethan Rutherford, a 14-year-old from Wooster, Ohio, was eager to help his neighbors with snow removal during a severe snowstorm in January 2019. After clearing several driveways, Ethan and his father, Mark, attempted to fix their broken snowblower in the basement workshop. Suddenly, Ethan collapsed and showed signs of a seizure. His father quickly called for help, and his mother, Erin, dialed 911 twice as Ethan’s condition worsened. Mark performed CPR while Erin sought assistance from neighbors. Paramedics arrived and managed to revive Ethan after multiple defibrillator shocks, stabilizing him for transport to the hospital.

At the hospital, doctors determined Ethan needed more specialized care, but the snowstorm prevented helicopter transport. Instead, a coordinated effort by snowplow crews cleared a path for the ambulance to reach a trauma center in Akron. Despite the delay, Ethan was placed in a coma due to concerns about brain damage from lack of oxygen. After three days, his condition improved, and he regained consciousness. Although his favorite hobby, go-kart racing, was no longer an option, Ethan received an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) to monitor his heart.

Ethan spent two weeks in the hospital, undergoing tests that couldn’t pinpoint the cause of his cardiac arrest. Despite lingering worries, Ethan focused on activities that brought him joy. He joined the varsity bowling team, achieved the rank of Eagle Scout, and earned his state degree from the National FFA Organization. Now 18, Ethan is set to start a diesel mechanics program at a trade school. Reflecting on his journey, Ethan credits his faith for his resilience and accomplishments, while his father, Mark, admires his son’s newfound appreciation for life. Check out the full article for this inspirational story.

AHA at the Heart of the Cardiac Arrest Survival Summit

The American Heart Association became a founding partner of the Citizen CPR Foundation (CCPRF) nearly 40 years ago. This collaboration has helped advance the mission of strengthening the Chain of Survival through education, science, and advocacy.

The Cardiac Arrest Survival Summit(CASSummit) is CCPRF’s signature event. Held every two years, the Summit brings together the full spectrum of people motivated to improve outcomes from sudden cardiac arrest, from educators and practitioners to survivors and community advocates.

“CASSummit only comes around every two years… It’s a great networking and learning opportunity – and provides a fantastic opoortunity to connect with people representing all of the different links in the Chain of Survival. There is something for everyone in the resuscitation community at CASSummit.”
Comilla Sasson, MD, PHD
Healthcare Executive, Global Health
American Heart Association
This year’s conference addresses the first full scientific review of CPR and ECC Guidelines in a decade. Momentum is building. The Call for Presentations generated more than 200 submissions, the most in recent memory.

AHA’s long-standing partnership with CCPRF is a reflection of its commitment to shared learning, global impact, and helping more people survive cardiac arrest. Look for more updates as CASSummit 2025 approaches and consider how you can engage in this important event.

Important Reminder for Atlas Find a Class Tool

The ECC Compliance team at the American Heart Association wants to remind members of our Training Network to please refrain from overwhelming the Atlas “Find A Class” tool with multiple, identical listings.

Please review the updated Training Memo (Atlas login required) regarding the appropriate use of the “Find A Class” tool that was released on January 28, 2025, for more detailed guidance. Non-compliance with class listings may result in further action by the American Heart Association.

SHRM – Society for Human Resource Management
  • SHRM Conference Page
  • June 29 – July 2
  • San Diego, CA
  • Registration Link
    • Register in advance by using the link above
    • Booth # 2725
We look forward to seeing you there!
The Role of Pediatric AEDs

Volunteers in the Pediatric Emphasis Group of the AHA ECC Committee discuss the role of AEDs in pediatric cardiac arrests for healthcare providers and laypersons during this ECC Digital Digest podcast episode.

Listen to the podcast here.

AHA Podcast: “Leveraging Telehealth for Cardiovascular Care: A Johns Hopkins Perspective”

In this episode, we explore the growing world of telehealth in cardiology with Nino Isakadze, MD, MHS, who is a cardiac electrophysiologist at The Johns Hopkins Hospital and Kathy Byrne, MSN, CRNP, CCRN, who is a nurse practitioner at The Johns Hopkins Adult Congenital Heart Disease Center. They discuss how Johns Hopkins is incorporating telehealth to improve access to care for patients with chronic cardiovascular conditions, the challenges they faced, and the exciting future of telehealth in this field.

Don’t miss this enlightening discussion sponsored by the American Heart Association Center for Telehealth. Tune in to gain valuable knowledge from these experts and discover how telehealth is transforming cardiovascular care. Listen to the full episode now!

Introductory eCard Webinar
  • Wed., May 14
  • 2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. | Central Time (US & Canada)
  • Registration Link
    • Register in advance by using the link above.
Training Central Webinar
Take Your Training to the Next Level – AHA Blended & eLearning Webinar
(Please use the correct registration link below)
  • Thurs., May 22
  • 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. CT
  • Link
    • Register in advance for this webinar.
    • After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.
    • THE WEBINAR WILL BE HELD DURING CENTRAL STANDARD TIME
Do you want to be an AHA Volunteer on one of its Committees? Listen to the webinar and see how unique the experience is!
  • Link
  • Passcode: *6ecT1!!
  • Here is the link to sign up to be part of a great community of passionate people just like you!
    • ECC Subcommittee Application Link
Resources
Atlas Information & Resources Page
To serve as a central hub for educational Atlas information, the Atlas Information & Resources page offers a variety of informative “How-to” guides and video tutorials.

Be sure to visit the webpage regularly for updates and enhancements to Atlas.

The AHA’s digital health solution to assist clinicians in running codes and delivering bedside PALS care with actual patients.
Customer & Training Center Coordinator Support
1-877-AHA-4CPR (1-877-242-4277)
Monday – Friday 8:00 a.m., – 5:00 p.m., Central
Email: Atlas.support@heart.org

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ECC Beat 4/25/25
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