1. What are the recommended renewal dates for the CPR cards?

Two-year renewal/expiration dates must be designated on all American Heart Association (AHA) course cards. Employers may determine if their employees need more frequent training. However, all AHA course cards are valid for 2 years.

2. If your card expires, is there a grace period?

AHA does not give grace periods. The AHA instructor card is invalid after the expiration date indicated on the card. If a candidate or instructor seeking renewal presents an expired card, he or she may not be eligible to participate in a renewal course and may have to retake the initial course.

3. I have lost my course card (Heartsaver, ACLS, etc). How can I get it replaced?

Contact DMS H.E.A.R.T. Replacement of lost cards costs $2.

4. Does the American Heart Association offer first aid?

Yes, the Heartsaver FACTS program is the product of a partnership between the American Heart Association and the National Safety Council. The Heartsaver FACTS course combines adult CPR and the use of an automated external defibrillator (AED) with basic first aid procedures. Students in this course will learn how to perform adult CPR, relieve airway obstruction by a foreign object, use a barrier device during rescue breathing, use an AED, and provide first aid for acute injuries and sudden illnesses.

5. How do I become a DMS H.E.A.R.T. CPR Instructor?

First, you must be either a medical or graduate student, or Dartmouth College faculty, staff or spouse of any of the above.

Following are some of the prerequisites for taking an AHA Instructor Course:

* Each candidate must be currently trained in the course he or she wishes to teach. (Must have current Card!)

* Each candidate must have a willingness and desire to teach in accordance with the scientific and program guidelines of the AHA.

* Each candidate must make a commitment to teach A MINIMUM 2 courses per year according to AHA guidelines.

6. When were the current training course materials (ACLS textbook, Healthcare Provider, etc) produced?

  All current training materials are the 1997-99 editions. After the AHA International Guidelines 2000 Conference on CPR, revised training materials will be available through AHA distributors by January 2001.

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