AHA 2025: What’s New in CPR, ACLS, PALS & Heartsaver

On October 22, 2025, the American Heart Association (AHA) released the new 2025 CPR & ECC Guidelines, the first full refresh since 2020. This isn’t a cosmetic edit. The update tightens how we teach, how people practice, and how teams perform when a real arrest hits. If you train learners or own emergency readiness at your facility, this is your new baseline. 

What are the New Updates?

• One Chain of Survival. Instead of separate chains, AHA now presents a single Chain of Survival that applies across adult and pediatric, in-hospital and out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. This creates one language and one mental model for everyone. 

• Adult choking sequence clarified. As per AHA 2025 guidelines, for a severe airway obstruction in a conscious adult, the guidance now calls for cycles of 5 back blows followed by 5 abdominal thrusts until the object is expelled or the person becomes unresponsive. Update your posters—this is a concrete change. 

• Naloxone is explicitly shown in BLS. The adult BLS algorithms clearly indicate where naloxone fits for suspected opioid overdose during respiratory/cardiac arrest, removing guesswork for both lay rescuers and healthcare teams. 

• Courses refreshed.  According to the AHA 2025 guidelines, it is rolling updated course materials—algorithms, videos, manuals, and assessments aligned to the new science and education guidance. Plan to swap out your old cards, slides, and checklists. 

Disclaimer: This summary is based on the American Heart Association’s 2025 CPR & ECC Guidelines. For complete and official recommendations, please refer to the AHA at cpr.heart.org. Note that updates could evolve through AHA errata or subsequent clarification memos.

Source: American Heart Association, 2025 CPR & ECC Guidelines, released October 22, 2025. Available at cpr.heart.org.

CPR/BLS: Action Steps for Learners & Employers

The BLS flow is cleaner and more visual, but the core priorities stay the same: high-quality compressions and early defibrillation with minimal pauses. For employers, this is the time to standardize: skills checks, pocket cards, wall charts, and onboarding modules should all mirror the 2025 graphics so people aren’t translating under stress. 

Do this now

• Replace your wall aids with the unified Chain of Survival graphic so clinical and non-clinical staff share the same mental model. 

• If your site carries naloxone, add the when/where to BLS refreshers and make sure the step is visible in code binders.

• Update choking posters to the 5 back blows / 5 abdominal thrusts cycle for adults. 

ACLS: Same Goals, Tighter Playbook

ACLS content is being tuned to match the 2025 recommendations. Expect updated videos and instructor materials, clearer timing for roles, and stronger alignment on defibrillation, airway, and meds so megacodes look and feel the same across teams. 

Action steps

• Re-issue cards and re-script megacode stations to the 2025 order of operations; don’t run mixed-era drills.

• Align checklists and competency rubrics to the updated assessment emphasis so teaching, testing, and real-world use match.

PALS: Train Recognition Early

Most pediatric events don’t start as primary cardiac arrest, they build from breathing problems or shock. The 2025 guidance doubles down on early recognition and rapid support of breathing and circulation, with clear escalation to definitive care. In practice, this means more practice on spotting deterioration (work of breathing, perfusion, mental status) and faster activation, before a full arrest.

Action steps

• Bake early recognition checkpoints into your drills and require an explicit “escalate/activate” call before arrest scenarios. 

• Map transfer pathways and handoffs; teach them as part of “doing PALS right,” not as an afterthought.

Heartsaver: Simpler & Easier

For community responders and workplace teams, the update aims for recall under pressure. The lay-rescuer BLS algorithm is simpler to follow, with an obvious naloxone cue where relevant. Keep your messaging short: call 911, start compressions, use the AED fast, and add naloxone if you suspect an opioid overdose and it’s available. Your handouts and slides should reflect the new visuals exactly. 

Bottom line

The 2025 AHA update is about clarity and consistency. One Chain of Survival for everyone. A precise adult choking sequence (5 back blows, 5 abdominal thrusts) that you can print and post today. Explicit naloxone placement so teams stop guessing. And a full refresh of courses and algorithms to match the science.

Disclaimer: This summary is provided for educational purposes and reflects highlights from the American Heart Association’s 2025 CPR & ECC Guidelines (released October 22, 2025). For complete and official recommendations, visit cpr.heart.org. [AHCA ] is an independent training provider and not affiliated with or endorsed by the American Heart Association.