AHA Heartsaver First Aid CPR AED study plan
AHA Heartsaver First Aid CPR AED · Give each week a clear focus.
8 weeks · About 6 hours per week
First Aid & CPR
Identify the three domains and their weightings and sequence study blocks accordingly
List the steps of the first aid chain of survival in order
Demonstrate the recovery position on a practice partner
State when to call emergency services versus when to treat and monitor
Your checkpoint
Written one-page summary of the first aid chain of survival with the recovery position steps in correct order
First Aid
Explain how to assess a scene for safety before approaching a victim
Describe how to check responsiveness and breathing for a first aid assessment
List the signs of a choking adult and infant and the correct response for each
Demonstrate back blows and abdominal thrusts on a training manikin
Your checkpoint
Completed choking-response checklist covering adult and infant scenarios, verified against course material
First Aid
Describe first aid for bleeding, including direct pressure and dressing application
Explain burn care steps and what to avoid applying to a burn
List signs of shock and the positioning and warming steps to take
Summarize first aid for suspected head, neck, or spinal injury
Your checkpoint
Written scenario responses for two injury cases (severe bleeding, burn) with ordered action steps
First Aid & CPR
Describe first aid for sudden illness including fainting, seizure, and low blood sugar
Explain the signs of stroke and the appropriate first aid response
State the adult CPR compression rate and depth and demonstrate compressions on a manikin
Describe the compression-to-breath ratio for one-rescuer adult CPR
Your checkpoint
Self-scored manikin practice log recording compression rate and depth for three timed one-minute sets
CPR
Demonstrate the full adult CPR sequence from scene safety through compressions and breaths
Explain how to give rescue breaths with a barrier device
Describe how child and infant CPR differs from adult CPR in depth, ratio, and technique
State when to start CPR versus when to use an AED first
Your checkpoint
Recorded full adult CPR sequence performed on a manikin with a written self-critique of each step
CPR & AED
Explain the purpose of an AED and when it should be applied during a cardiac arrest
List the steps to operate an AED from power-on through shock delivery
Describe how to place AED pads on an adult, child, and infant
State the safety precautions to take before delivering a shock
Your checkpoint
Written AED operation sequence card covering pad placement for adult, child, and infant and pre-shock safety checks
AED
Describe how to integrate CPR and AED use in a two-rescuer response
Explain what to do when an AED prompts no shock advised
List common AED troubleshooting issues and their fixes
Describe special situations such as a wet victim or a victim with an implanted device
Your checkpoint
Completed troubleshooting table mapping at least five AED prompts or problems to correct actions
First Aid & CPR & AED
Perform a full integrated scenario combining first aid assessment, CPR, and AED use
Demonstrate adult, child, and infant choking and CPR responses back to back
Answer a 30-question self-written practice quiz across all three domains with 90% or better
Review and correct every missed item from earlier weeks
Your checkpoint
Timed full-scenario run-through on a manikin plus a scored 30-question practice quiz with corrective notes
Milestones
Week 2: Can state the first aid chain of survival and perform choking response for adult and infant without notes
Week 4: Can demonstrate adult compressions at the correct rate and depth and list first aid steps for bleeding, burns, and shock
Week 6: Can perform the full adult CPR sequence and operate an AED from power-on to shock delivery with correct pad placement
Week 8: Scores 90% or better on a 30-question mixed-domain quiz and completes an integrated scenario without prompting