ECC Beat 6/20/2025

⏳The Countdown to the 2025 American Heart Association Guidelines
for CPR & ECC Release Begins!

We are happy to share the launch of our new section dedicated to the 2025 AHA Guidelines for CPR & ECC as we count down to the release of this major scientific statement on October 22, 2025, which is also when new, updated products are expected to debut. This section will be another source for guidelines-related information featuring helpful guidance, valuable resources, and fun facts and tidbits. Whether you are a longtime Instructor or new to the Training Network, our countdown will keep you informed as we approach this milestone.

What are the AHA Guidelines for CPR & ECC?

The Association creates the guidelines to help healthcare professionals and the public perform effective resuscitation on individuals who suffer cardiac arrest. For decades, the Association has led the development of these evidence-based guidelines, which are updated and translated into actionable recommendations and form the foundation of all Association first aid, CPR, and ECC courses globally.

Don’t forget to bookmark the Guidelines Communication webpage (log in required) to ensure you have the latest information at your fingertips. Join us in counting down to October 22nd when we will learn about the latest advancements in CPR & ECC practices.

ICYMI: 2025 Guidelines Transition Timeline and Process for
US Customers Now Available

As a reminder, an email was sent on June 13 informing the US Training Network that the American Heart Association has announced a timeline for transitioning existing 2020 Guidelines eProduct inventory to the new 2025 eProducts, which are expected to launch on October 22, 2025, following the release of the 2025 AHA Guidelines for CPR and ECC.

This update is relevant for US customers who may have questions about their existing 2020 eProduct inventory. The transition of the following 2020 eProducts will occur at 11:59 p.m. on February 28, 2026, to incorporate the updated 2025 Guidelines:

• HeartCode® programs
• Heartsaver® eLearning courses for students
• eCards
• Heartsaver student workbook eBooks that are part of the new Heartsaver Bundle options

However, 2020 streaming videos and 2020 eBooks in the BLS, PALS, and ACLS product lines, as well as 2020 Heartsaver student eBooks not part of the Heartsaver bundle options, will not transition.

The transition timeline is available on the Guidelines Communications webpage, and the Association encourages the Training Network to review this resource for planning and preparation.

 Explore Omics in Action: The Periodic Table of Food Initiative Science Trainings
Now Available 

Join the global effort to decode what’s really in our food—with open-access modules now live on the American Heart Association’s Professional Education Hub

Ever wondered what’s really in your food? Nutrition labels tell only part of the story. Behind the scenes lies a vast world of biomolecules—many still unnamed, and their functions unknown. Thanks to advanced omics technologies, researchers are now uncovering the intricate links between food composition, food processing, agricultural practices, and human health.

Now you can be part of that discovery.

Introducing The Periodic Table of Food Initiative Science Trainings by Food EDU —an open-access educational platform advancing translational research and empowering learners to address critical food and health challenges. This engaging eLearning series equips students, researchers, and educators with the foundational knowledge and standardized omics methods needed to explore the molecular complexity of food and contribute to global food composition research.

What you’ll learn:

• The scientific principles guiding The Periodic Table of Food Initiative and overview of standardized omics methods
• Practical applications of standardized omics tools for use in fields such as food science and biochemistry
• How to participate in the global effort to map the planet’s edible biodiversity

What’s included:

• Six Interactive, self-paced modules, each one hour in length, hosted on the Association’s  Professional Education Hub
• Application activities, learner guides, note-taking templates, and access to an online community of practice
• High-quality content developed by experts from institutions like UC Davis and Colorado State University
• A course completion certificate is available upon the completion of each module.

Whether you’re supplementing a course, researching food composition, or onboarding PTFI methods in your own lab—these trainings are built for you.

Start learning today—at no cost to you—on the Association’s Professional Education Hub. Have questions or want to use the materials in a course or lab? Reach out to us at FoodEDU@heart.org or PTFI@heart.org .

Food EDU is facilitated by the American Heart Association and the Alliance of Bioversity and CIAT as co-secretariats of the Periodic Table of Food Initiative. Food EDU is supported by the Rockefeller Foundation and the Fourfold Foundation.

 Volunteer EMT Overlooked His Own Health –Until Chest Pain
Knocked Him to His Knees

TJ Smith, a volunteer EMT in Powhatan, Virginia, knew the importance of regular health checkups but hadn’t seen a doctor in over a decade. His lifestyle had deteriorated since the COVID-19 pandemic, leading to poor diet and lack of exercise.

Despite experiencing severe fatigue and breathlessness, he avoided medical care due to the high cost of health insurance. However, a sudden chest pain incident during a rescue call prompted him to take a nitroglycerin pill from his EMT bag, which provided immediate relief. This scare led him to move up his doctor’s appointment, where tests revealed critical blockages in his arteries, necessitating triple bypass surgery.

Post-surgery, TJ focused on recovery and improving his health with his wife, Jesse. They started with short walks that gradually became longer, and TJ incorporated swimming and virtual reality fitness apps into his routine. Now 52, TJ shares his story to encourage others to prioritize their health and regular checkups, emphasizing that early medical intervention could have prevented his ordeal.

Find the full story here.

Registration is Now Open! Join the American Heart Association
at CASSummit 2025

Guidelines for Class Addresses in the Atlas Find a Class Tool

To follow best practices when using the American Heart Association Atlas “Find a Class” tool, ensure that the addresses you use for advertising courses are locations where you have proper permission or a formal agreement. Non-permissible addresses should not be used.

Please adhere to the guidance outlined under “Atlas Find a Class” in the Training Center Policies and Procedures section of the Program Administration Manual (PAM) (log in required):

• Instructor Led and Skills Check Classes:
  • Use a legitimate physical address. Locations like city centers and parking lots are not acceptable. Ensure you have permission to use the location for Association training.
• BLS/Heartsaver Virtual Training:
  • Clearly state “Virtual BLS Training” or “Virtual Heartsaver Training” in the Class Location field.
• Class Location Field:
  • Include only the location/address information. Do not add extra details like discounts, phone numbers, websites, or advertisements.