Which Guardian Course Do I Need?
Which Guardian course do I need?
Start with the requirement, not the course name. Some students need a specific credential for work or school. Others want practical emergency skills for family, community, workplace, outdoor, or preparedness use.
If an employer, school, licensing body, or agency has given you a specific course requirement, follow that requirement first. If you are not sure what they require, ask them before registering.
I need an American Heart Association healthcare-provider course
For healthcare professionals who need an AHA credential, choose the course your employer or program requires:
- BLS — Basic Life Support
- ACLS — Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support
- PALS — Pediatric Advanced Life Support
View Medical Professional Courses
I need an AHA CPR / first-aid course for work, school, or a non-healthcare role
AHA Heartsaver® First Aid CPR AED is the appropriate starting point when an employer, school, organization, or program specifically requires an American Heart Association Heartsaver credential.
I want practical CPR and AED skills, but I do not need an outside credential
HEART SAFE is Guardian's community CPR/AED course. It is designed for families, workplaces, schools, churches, coaches, caregivers, and other community learners who want hands-on CPR and AED practice without a requirement for an AHA course card.
I want CPR, AED, and severe bleeding control in one class
RESCUE READY combines CPR, AED use, and critical bleeding control in one hands-on course.
This is often a better fit for people who want a broader emergency-skills foundation than CPR alone.
I only want to focus on severe bleeding control
Critical Bleeding Control Basics focuses on recognizing life-threatening bleeding, tourniquet use, wound packing, direct pressure, and related bleeding-control skills.
I already have foundational skills and want advanced trauma training
ACT: Advanced Crisis Trauma Training is Guardian's advanced hands-on trauma course for students who want more practice with trauma assessment, hemorrhage control, airway and breathing problems, shock, casualty movement, communication, and scenario-based decision-making.
ACT 2 is a refresher/progression course for students who have already completed ACT or equivalent Guardian prerequisite training.
What if I am still not sure?
Ask before you register. Tell us what your employer, school, family, organization, or personal goal requires. We would rather point you to the right course—or tell you that you do not need one—than sell you the wrong class.
Contact Guardian Medical Education
A note about course completion documents
Not every Guardian course provides the same type of credential. American Heart Association courses provide the applicable AHA course completion documentation. Guardian-owned courses may provide a Guardian completion certificate. Do not assume one substitutes for the other unless the organization requiring your training specifically accepts it.