AHA Heartsaver First Aid, CPR, AED and BLS Certification Training

The first few minutes after an accident or medical emergency usually decide the outcome, and itmad is an authorised American Heart Association training provider. itmad delivers AHA Heartsaver First Aid CPR AED and Basic Life Support (BLS) certification courses to workplaces, on site or at itmad training facilities. itmad operates across the Middle East, Asia and Europe. Last reviewed: October 2026.

Why certified first aiders matter

Trained staff act immediately, which shortens the gap between an incident and professional medical care, and a correct first response limits how far an injury progresses. Training also builds general hazard awareness, and staff feel safer in a workplace where the employer invests in life-saving skills. Many employers must keep a minimum number of trained first aiders, set by regulation or by client contract and scaled to workforce size and risk. The requirement differs from country to country, so it should be checked locally.

The two courses

AHA Heartsaver First Aid CPR AED is the fuller programme, developed and endorsed by the American Heart Association for people with little or no medical background who need formal certification for work, for regulatory compliance or for personal preparedness. Over six hours including Q&A it covers recognising and responding to life-threatening emergencies; adult, child and infant CPR; use of an automated external defibrillator; relief of choking; bleeding, burns and wound care; recognising stroke, heart attack and allergic reaction; fractures, head and spinal injuries; and medical emergencies such as diabetic emergencies and seizures. Delegates receive an AHA course completion card valid for two years.

Basic Life Support (BLS) is a focused three-hour course on the interventions that most affect survival before emergency services arrive, aligned with the AHA Chain of Survival. It covers self-protection and barriers, the Chain of Survival, the primary survey of an unresponsive casualty, the recovery position, adult CPR, recognising and relieving choking, and, as an optional module, basic bleeding control and wound management. It suits frontline staff and anyone who might be the first responder, and it is a practical refresher for large groups.

Who should attend

Employees who must hold a valid first aid certificate, HR and HSE managers responsible for compliance, security personnel who are often first on scene, teachers and nursery staff, healthcare support staff such as reception and portering, hospitality and retail employees who serve large numbers of the public, construction workers and supervisors in high-risk settings, and anyone who wants to be prepared for an emergency at home, while travelling or in the community.

How the courses run

Sessions combine instruction with scenario-based practice on manikins and AED trainers, and groups are kept small enough for every delegate to be observed individually. Scheduled public courses and dedicated on-site sessions for corporate groups are both available, arranged to limit disruption to operations. Delivery is matched to the language of the group where possible, because training that a delegate cannot fully follow produces a certificate and not competence.

What delegates receive

Delegates receive the AHA course completion card for the Heartsaver programme, valid for two years after which a renewal or refresher is needed, a certificate of attendance and assessment, and renewal reminders ahead of expiry. Training records are supplied to the employer for its HSE management system.

Alongside certification and inspection

itmad also certifies management systems and inspects equipment. For an organisation that holds ISO 45001 certification or equipment inspection with itmad, first aider training records can be managed on the same renewal calendar as its inspection and certification schedules, which is what an auditor asks to see on arrival.

Frequently asked questions

How long is the AHA first aid certification valid?

The AHA Heartsaver course completion card is valid for two years, after which a renewal or refresher course is required. itmad provides renewal reminders ahead of expiry.

What is the difference between Heartsaver and BLS?

Heartsaver is the fuller six-hour programme covering CPR, AED use, wound care, burns, fractures and medical emergencies, and it ends with an AHA course completion card valid for two years. BLS is a focused three-hour course on CPR technique, choking relief and casualty management.

Can the training be delivered at our workplace?

Yes. Dedicated on-site sessions for corporate groups are available, which suits organisations certifying several employees at once with minimal disruption. Public scheduled courses are also offered.

Who is first aid training for?

For anyone who may need to respond to an emergency, including employees who must hold a certificate, HSE managers, security staff, teachers, healthcare support staff, hospitality and retail staff and construction workers. No medical background is needed for Heartsaver.

Is first aid training mandatory for employers?

Many employers must keep a minimum number of trained first aiders, set by regulation or by client contract according to workforce size and risk. The requirement differs from country to country, so employers should check the rules that apply to them.

What do delegates receive at the end of a course?

An AHA course completion card for Heartsaver, a certificate of attendance and assessment, and renewal reminders ahead of expiry. The employer also receives training records for its HSE management system.