NewsSouth Florida Caribbean NewsAugust 14, 2026Miami-Dade
American Heart Association releases 2025 CPR and emergency response guidelines
The American Heart Association (AHA) has updated its CPR and emergency response protocols for 2025, introducing new standards for choking, opioid overdose management, and a universal chain of survival. These guidelines apply to both healthcare professionals and the general public to improve survival rates in cardiac and respiratory emergencies.
Read the full story at South Florida Caribbean NewsWhy It Matters
Residents and healthcare providers must update their training to align with these new clinical standards, which dictate the specific life-saving actions required during cardiac arrest, choking, or suspected opioid overdose.
Key Facts
- The AHA updates CPR guidelines every 5 years to incorporate the latest resuscitation science.
- New choking protocol for adults and children requires alternating five back blows with five abdominal thrusts.
- New choking protocol for infants under one year requires five back blows followed by five chest thrusts using two fingers.
- Updated opioid overdose algorithms emphasize bystander access to naloxone and immediate CPR initiation.
- A new universal Chain of Survival applies to all cardiac arrest cases regardless of age or location.
- The universal Chain of Survival includes early recognition, high-quality CPR, quick defibrillation, and integrated post-cardiac care.
- The AHA launched 'Self-Guided Learning' in partnership with Laerdal Medical to allow for flexible, self-paced certification.
- Immediate bystander CPR can double or triple the odds of surviving sudden cardiac arrest.