Photo of a synthetic heart and textbook on lab table

Saint Joseph's University's CPR, AED and First Aid Program

Whether you’re a health care professional or a community member, we offer a variety of courses designed to meet your needs.

About the Program

cpr trainer teaching a class

Life Support Classes

We offer six life support classes tailored to students and health care professionals, plus hybrid learning courses and instructor training.

nurses in emergency room performing cpr on patient

Heartsaver CPR

Learn how to save lives with basic CPR and other first aid skills in this class approved by the American Heart Association (AHA).

Two nurses giving patient cpr and oxygen mask

Basic Life Support (BLS)

The AHA’s BLS courses reinforce healthcare professionals’ understanding of the importance of early CPR and defibrillation, performing basic steps of CPR, relieving choking, using an AED and the role of each link in the Chain of Survival.

In this classroom-based course, healthcare professionals learn to recognize several life-threatening emergencies, provide CPR to victims of all ages, use an AED and relieve choking in a safe, timely and effective manner.

Key changes in basic life support, reflecting the new science from the 2020 American Heart Association Guidelines for Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation and Emergency Cardiovascular Care:

  • Critical concepts of high-quality CPR
  • The American Heart Association Chain of Survival
CPR nurse tilting manikin head to hear breath

About Heartsaver CPR

While Heartsaver CPR isn’t the required course for those in healthcare, it’s ideal for:

  • Community members
  • Boy Scout and Girl Scout troops
  • Churches
  • Schools

Over the course of three in-person classes, you’ll practice head tilt/chin lift maneuvers, compressions and breaths. Registration includes the following:

  • Face mask valve
  • Student manual
  • Provider card
  • Two-year certification

Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) 

Build on a foundation of basic life support skills with our advanced cardiac life support class. Upon course completion, you’ll receive an ACLS certification. You can also register to renew your ACLS certification.

  • Build on a foundation of basic life support skills and improve your quality of care to pediatric patients in emergency situations. Upon course completion, you’ll receive a PALS certification. You can also register to renew your PALS certification.

  • This course is designed to improve outcomes in complex cardiovascular, respiratory and other emergencies. It expands upon core ACLS guidelines and encourages critical thinking and decision-making. You’ll enhance your skills in the differential diagnosis and treatment of pre-arrest, arrest and post-arrest patients.

  • Get the knowledge and skills you need for the emergency evaluation and treatment of seriously ill infants and children. In PEARS, you’ll learn how to:

    • Recognize respiratory distress, shock and cardiac arrest
    • Provide appropriate lifesaving interventions
    • Improve quality of care and patient outcomes

Airway Management

Learn, practice and demonstrate your ability in applying airway skills used in resuscitation. This course includes bag-mask ventilation, airway adjuncts and other units that can be customized to meet your needs. These methods can include endotracheal tubes, esophageal tracheal airways (or Combitube™), impedance threshold devices and laryngeal mask airways.

Register for a class or receive more information by contacting our American Heart Association (AHA) Training Center.