AHA has published two training updates in the last few days that affect AHA courses and their delivery during the COVID-19 pandemic.  You can read them in their entirety on the AHA Instructor Network under Training Updates.  ALL AHA Instructors affiliated with NIHE are required to read these Training Updates and follow all AHA and state, federal, & local requirements during this crisis.  Failure to do so may result in your affiliation with NIHE being terminated.

Below is a summary of these recommendations.  Also, attached to this email is the AHA document you can give to your customers specifying that AHA Provider cards may be extended for up to 60 days after their expiration during this crisis.  Please note:  NIHE is following the AHA recommendations in this document and allowing for up to 60 days extension on Instructor renewals also.

AHA Recommendations

1. Follow all national, state and local authorities concerning closures & public gatherings.
2. Follow the AHA recommendations for equipment decontamination during AHA training with the following additional requirements.
3. All participants should practice good hygiene, including hand washing with soap and water for at least 20 seconds before and after the course, and before and after snack and meal breaks.
4. Instructors should decontaminate the manikins after each student practices or tests on the manikin using an alcohol-based solution per CDC recommendations
5. Face shields should NOT be used, and direct mouth-to-mouth ventilation should not be practiced.
6. Each student must be provided with a pocket mask and one-way valve when practicing one-rescuer skills. Pocket masks should not be shared during the course.
7. Bag masks should be used when practicing two-rescuer skills, and participants should wear gloves and clean bag masks between practices with an alcohol-based solution per CDC recommendations.
8. When possible, manikins should be spaced apart at least 3 feet (1 meter) during training, based on WHO guidance on social distancing.

These additional precautions should be practiced until April 30, 2020, and may be extended by the AHA, if needed.  Please continue to check your email and notifications placed on the AHA Instructor Network regularly for possible updates to AHA training policies.