FIRST RESPONSE HEALTH & SAFETY TRAINING
2025 AHA GUIDELINE CHANGES SUMMARY FOR CHILDCARE PLAN MEMBER INSTRUCTORS
Effective for all new course versions released April 2026
The American Heart Association released its 2025 Guidelines for CPR and Emergency Cardiovascular Care (ECC) in October 2025. While many CPR and First Aid principles remain unchanged, several important updates affect childcare CPR/AED and Basic First Aid training programs. These changes have been incorporated into all First Response Health & Safety Training courses and skills evaluation forms.
MAJOR CHANGE #1
ADULT & CHILD CHOKING (FOREIGN BODY AIRWAY OBSTRUCTION)
Previous Teaching
Primarily abdominal thrusts (Heimlich Maneuver)
2025 AHA Guidelines
Give 5 Back Blows
Follow with 5 Abdominal Thrusts
Continue alternating 5 Back Blows / 5 Abdominal Thrusts
Continue until the object is expelled or the victim becomes unresponsive.
Instructor Reminder
This is the most significant change affecting Adult and Child CPR skills evaluations.
MAJOR CHANGE #2
INFANT CHOKING
Current Procedure
5 Back Blows
5 Chest Thrusts
Repeat as necessary
The AHA now specifically emphasizes alternating:
5 Back Blows
5 Chest Thrusts using the heel of one hand
Continue until the object is expelled or the infant becomes unresponsive.
Abdominal thrusts are NOT performed on infants.
MAJOR CHANGE #3
INFANT CPR COMPRESSIONS
The long-standing two-finger chest compression technique is no longer recommended because research demonstrated it may not consistently achieve adequate compression depth.
New Recommended Techniques
Use:
Two-thumb encircling hands technique, or
Heel of one hand technique (when appropriate)
MAJOR CHANGE #4
CHAIN OF SURVIVAL
The use of both a Pediatric and Adult Chain of Survival, was changed to one universal chain of Survival
MINOR CHANGE # 1
Basic First Aid Patient Movement Recovery Position was changed slightly The previous method is still acceptable.
Instructor Reminder
This change required revisions to all infant CPR skill evaluation forms and practical testing procedures.
These updates are now incorporated into all First Response Health & Safety Training CPR/AED and Basic First Aid courses.
SKILLS EVALUATIONS AFFECTED
The following practical skills stations were updated:
✓ Adult Choking Relief
✓ Child Choking Relief
✓ Infant Choking Relief
✓ Infant CPR
✓ Electronic Skills Submission Forms
✓ Practical Testing Checklists
INSTRUCTOR ACTION REQUIRED
Use only the current 2026 skills evaluation forms.
Ensure all students are taught the updated choking procedures.
Ensure infant CPR is taught using the revised compression methods.
Review all new course materials before conducting skills evaluations.
Continue to follow all First Response Health & Safety Training policies and critical skills requirements.
ALL COURSES CONTAINING BASIC FIRST AID ARE NOW UNIVERSAL WHICH INCLUDES BOTH ADULT & PEDIATRICS.
NEW SUBJECTS COMBINED AND/OR ADDED TO BASIC FIRST AID:
Electrical Shock , Abusive Head Trauma (Shaken Baby), Drowning, Cardiac Emergencies, CVA/TIA Emergencies (Strokes), Poisoning & Overdoses, Environmental Emergencies, Illness Related Emergencies
COURSE VIDEO SEGMENTS RELATED TO THE 2025 CHANGES ARE AVAILABLE BELOW.
Note: Unmute to listen.