American Heart Association (AHA)
or
American Safety and Health Institute (ASHI)
Which CPR Certification Training Should You Choose?

There are several organizations that provide certification courses in CPR. The two most preferred organizations are the American Safety and Health Institute and the American Heart Association. When required to get a CPR certification, you should know that most all organizations accept the nationally recognized American Heart Association and American Safety and Health Institute certifications. Both offer the same guidelines and are good for 2 years. So, what is the difference?

What Is AHA CPR Training? 
The American Heart Association (AHA) training is the most known choice for CPR certification as they have been around since 1924. AHA is the leader in CPR education in the United States and conducts all research in CPR/AED/First Aid. With this research they set the guidelines for all other groups follow such as ASHI and Red Cross.  
The AHA has CPR courses for all needs, whether it be for the layperson or for healthcare providers.  Currently, the AHA dominates the market for healthcare provider training and hospitals will not accept a healthcare certification if it is not from the AHA. 

What Is ASHI CPR Training?
The American Safety and Health Institute (ASHI), is gaining more and more popularity throughout the country and even the world.  ASHI CPR, AED and First Aid training programs are currently accepted, approved, or recognized as an industry credential meeting the requirements of more than 2,400 state regulatory agencies, occupational licensing boards, national associations, commissions, and councils in more than 550 occupations and professions such as:
  • OSHA
  • United States Coast Guard
  • Caring for Our Children Basics: Health and Safety Foundations for Early Care and Education.
  • Administration for Children and Families, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
  • 2011 Standards for First Aid and CPR training of the American Academy of Pediatrics, American Public Health Association and National Resource Center for Health and Safety in Child Care and Early Education
  • Caring for our children: National health and safety performance standards; Guidelines for early care and education
  • The criteria of the Boy Scouts of America for Wilderness First Aid Curriculum and Doctrine Guidelines
  • Recommendations of the U.S. Department of Labor Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
  • Best Practices Guide: Fundamentals of a Workplace First-Aid Program
ASHI CPR training programs follow AHA standards and treatment recommendations, guaranteeing that you can receive practical CPR guidance as part of an ASHI CPR class and is valid for two years.
So, if you have the choice between the American Heart Association and the ASHI CPR class, which one should you choose?  The answer lies in what type of training you need.  Although the ASHI classes are gaining popularity, the healthcare CPR market requires the American Heart Association.  For all other CPR courses, the American Safety and Health Institute will satisfy the requirements.  Better yet, the ASHI classes are usually less expensive than those of the AHA.



AHA strongly promotes knowledge and proficiency in BLS, ACLS, and PALS, and has developed instructional materials for this purpose. Use of these materials in an educational course does not represent course sponsorship by the AHA, and any fees charged for such a course do not represent income to the Association.
For a refund, contact us 48 hours or more before your class starts.
If canceling less than 48 hours, we are happy to issue a credit for the amount you paid for one year towards future classes.