Welcome to the American Heart Association (AHA) Nation of Heartsavers™

The AHA is accepting applications for a new recognition program honoring schools and school districts as a part of a Nation of Heartsavers. Schools that actively participate in educational programs such as CPR and First Aid training, and are active participants in STEM, nutrition programs, tobacco/vaping policies and have weekly student physical activity on campus may apply for the program.

The AHA serves in communities by uniting and supporting communities through policies, evidence-based programs, systemic change, and transforming environments. Together, utilizing these approaches we can make a difference growing our future leaders. We want to recognize your efforts as a school focused on well-being in your community.

Becoming a part of the Nation of Heartsavers is easy. Submit your survey application to be recognized as an American Heart Association Heartsaver School or Heartsaver School District under the following criteria:

• To be an American Heart Association Heartsaver School, the school must meet the following five areas:

1. CPR & AED Training
2. Tobacco & Vaping 
3. Kids Heart Challenge and American Heart Challenge 
4. Whole School Program – Student & Staff Well-being
5. STEM Program

• CPR & AED Training
  • Have a written cardiac emergency response plan (CERP) that establishes specific steps to take action in a cardiac emergency in a school.  
  • Have an established cardiac emergency response team that can be activated to respond to a Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA).
  • AEDs are strategically placed within the school so that it can be retrieved it and deliver a shock within three to five minutes of collapse. 
• An AED program with these five components: 
  • Medical oversight
  • First Aid CPR & AED Training 
  • Coordination with EMS 
  • Regular AED maintenance (battery and Pads)
  • Ongoing quality improvement to monitor training
• Have emergency equipment for a SCA – at minimum a working AED, a CPR mask/face shield, scissors, razor, latex-free gloves, and towel.
• Ensure sufficient number of trained responders—including staff and, in some cases, students.  Ideally, schools should strive for current training of all staff in first aid CPR, and AED use. 
  • Training should include three critical components:
    • Call 911
    • Press hard and fast on the chest 
    • AED use
• CPR skills practice (psychomotor skills): CPR course training with skills practice during training.
• Conduct an annual CERP practice drill(s) to familiarize staff with the plan. 
• Integration of CERP with local EMS, Fire and Police.  Review copy of plan with these departments, sharing location of on-site AEDs. 
• Annual review and evaluation for CERP plan with school leadership and emergency response team.
• Heartsaver School District, all schools in the school district must meet the Nation of Heartsavers School criteria. 
• Tobacco & Vaping
  • Include and enforce a policy that prohibits tobacco use, including e-cigarettes, by students, staff and visitors on ALL school grounds and at ALL school-sponsored events.
  • Include and enforce a policy that prohibits any donations or curriculum from any tobacco-related industry, including the e-cigarette industry.
  • Include and enforce a tobacco/vaping policy that provides supportive solutions (prevention programs, counseling, or cessation support) to students who use or possess tobacco products, including e-cigarettes.
• Kids Heart Challenge and American Heart Challenge
  • Include and promote a policy to further your students’ physical and emotional well-being.
  • Promote healthy school meal program and nutrition education, regular physical education and physical activity opportunities for their students and a wellness program for faculty.
    And/or… 
  • Actively participating in programs such as Kids Heart Challenge
  • Actively participating in programs such as American Heart Challenge 
  • Active school district participation in the Kids Heart Challenge and the American Heart Challenge program 
• Whole School Program – Student & Staff Well-being
  • Offer staff physical activity support
  • Increase and encourage healthy eating options 
  • Promote a culture of well-being
  • Actively promote diversity and inclusion 
  • Implement at least six wellness activities (outlined in the application; two activities focused on “nutrition”). 
  • The Components of the Whole School, Whole Community, Whole Child (WSCC) | Whole School, Whole Community, Whole Child (WSCC) | Healthy Schools | CDC(link opens in new window)(link opens in new window)
• (link opens in new window)(link opens in new window)STEM Program
  • Include a STEM program or curriculum in place for students
  • Include a STEM training or mentorship program for teachers and faculty
• Stated criteria remain the same throughout the year of the survey application but are subject to change with prior notice from AHA year to year. 
• The AHA reserves the right to visit schools to validate the accuracy of information reported in applications, at a acceptable time.
• The AHA reserves the right to evaluate each survey application in its entirety.
• The AHA’s decision regarding the recognition of any organization is final. 
  Schools that receive the Nation of Heartsavers distinction agree that the AHA has the rights to feature them, including testimonials, photos and school/district information, on its blog, website and printed materials.
• The Nation of Heartsavers seal, if granted, may be used for a period of one year, beginning at the time of approval. Schools must re-apply annually.
• Usage rights are outlined under the benefits section below. Recognized school will receive detailed guidelines regarding the usage of the seal.

Schools and/or School Districts receive benefits as soon as they are confirmed as a Heartsaver School or Heartsaver School District under the Nation of Heartsavers criteria. The program offers resources and materials to help promote organizational awareness, safety and emergency preparedness, in addition to wellness information to employees and consultation on CPR and AED training programs.