ECC Beat 7/2/2025

What year did the American Heart Association develop the first CPR guidelines?

• 1945
• 1966
• 1950
• 1958

Based on your valuable feedback, we’ve enhanced the Find a Class tool in Atlas (log in required) to make it easier and faster to find the right training. You can now apply filters—such as location, course type, class format, date range, and distance—before clicking “Search.” This improvement helps you surface relevant classes more efficiently and better support your learners.

Thank you for helping us make the tools you use even better!

We are excited to announce the launch of our new Heartsaver^® Bundles, effective July 1, 2025! These bundles are designed to provide better value and convenience for our customers.

Below are some helpful points about the Heartsaver Bundles:

• Specific to Heartsaver: These changes apply only to Heartsaver products. Other Association disciplines (e.g., BLS, ACLS) are not offered in bundles at this time.
• Ordering Process: The ordering process remains largely the same, but now includes the option to purchase materials as a bundle for cost savings.
• Security ID Requirement: A security ID will be required when purchasing these bundles as they include e-cards or course completion cards.
• Individual Purchases: Course completion cards, print student workbooks, and eBooks can still be purchased individually.
• Access and Assignment: The method for accessing and assigning the individual components remains the same as the current process.
• Transition of Unused Products: Any unused or inactivated individual products purchased as part of these bundles will transition to the new, updated products that are expected to launch on October 22, 2025.
• Cart Display: Bundles will appear as a single line item in your cart, with all individual components included. You can update the quantity as needed.

If you would like to know which individual product numbers are included in the bundle, you can select “View Included Products” which will bring up a sub-menu with the individual product descriptions and numbers (image 2).

If you have additional questions regarding the Heartsaver Bundle options, please contact your Account Lead.  We hope these new bundles will enhance your experience and provide greater value. Thank you for your continued support!

From June 5 – 7, 2025, heart health advocates gathered in Washington, DC, for the 5th Annual National CPR & AED Awareness Rally and March. Organized by Every Second Counts CPR and supported by the American Heart Association, the event aimed to raise awareness about sudden cardiac arrest (SCA), CPR training, and the life-saving potential of (AEDs). Highlights included a march from the Washington Monument to the U.S. Capitol and the White House, CPR training stations, and a heart advocate dinner discussing national policy efforts.

The final day focused on hands-on learning and remembrance, featuring free CPR and AED demonstrations, family-friendly activities, and a mass CPR Relay. The event also included the “Turning of the Tide” project, displaying 5,000 red flags honoring those impacted by SCA. The rally emphasized the importance of awareness, education, and access to life-saving tools.

Visit here to urge Congress to support legislation that expands CPR education and access to AEDs, helping ensure more people are prepared to act in a cardiac emergency. You can also become part of the Nation of Lifesavers by learning CPR and advocating for policies that make lifesaving skills more accessible to everyone.  Follow this link for the full story!

During a Fourth of July weekend at a water park, Tara Yell, who is a 39-year-old mother, suddenly felt dizzy and sick. Diagnosed with supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) in 2020, she had beta blockers for such episodes. However, this time felt different, and she asked her husband, Tyler, not to leave her alone with their children. Moments later, Tara collapsed in a restroom. Tyler found her unresponsive and not breathing. A lifeguard and firefighters performed CPR and used an AED to revive her. Tara had experienced cardiac arrest and was placed in an induced coma to minimize brain damage.

As Tara emerged from the coma, doctors were unsure what caused her heart to stop, as it wasn’t SVT. She received an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) to monitor and correct her heart rhythm. Tara faced a challenging recovery, undergoing physical, occupational, and speech therapy to regain her strength and cognitive abilities. Her determination and support from family helped her progress, though she initially struggled with daily tasks and mobility.

Tara’s recovery journey included outpatient rehab and adjusting to life at home with the help of family. Despite the challenges, she remained positive and focused on her goals, such as caring for her children. The Yell family also embarked on a mission to visit national parks, embracing the motto “Enjoy every moment.” Follow for a more detailed account of Tara’s story that highlights her resilience and the importance of support in overcoming health crises.

In 1966, the American Heart Association developed the first cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) guidelines.

Sharpen Your Skills and Expand Your Network

As a reminder, a maritime student with the US Coast Guard (USCG) must be taught all elective sections of the Heartsaver First Aid with CPR AED (AMERHA-216). Instructors should provide a USCG Approval Certificate to any maritime personnel that requires the certificate to accompany their Heartsaver First Aid CPR AED course completion card upon successful completion of the course with all options completed as well as the written exam.

The certificate is found in Atlas (log in required) on the course Information page for Heartsaver First Aid CPR AED under Additional Course Information in the Miscellaneous section.