About The Author

Bobby Dobroski, Owner & CPR Instructor Trainer of DobroSKILLS LLC

Bobby is an American Red Cross Instructor Trainer with a wealth of experience, having been an instructor since 2016. He has taught a diverse range of students, including early education professionals and members of the public, throughout the Chicagoland area. Bobby holds a master’s degree in Early Childhood Administration and a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from National-Louis University. With over 20 years of experience in the administration and supervision of early childhood schools and camps, his expertise has been integral to the local community.

In addition to his professional accomplishments, Bobby is a dedicated father of two active boys and has a deep passion for running. He has completed an Ironman Triathlon and over twenty marathons in eleven states across the U.S.

DISCLAIMER: THIS BLOG DOES NOT PROVIDE MEDICAL ADVICE.

The information contained herein including, but not limited to, any text graphics, images, or other material, is intended for informational purposes only. No material in this blog is intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health care provider with nay questions you may have about medical conditions or treatment. Never ignore professional medical advice or forego seeking treatment because of information you may have read you read on DobroSKILLS.net. If you think you may have a medical emergency, immediately call your doctor or dial 911.

American Red Cross Releases Updated 2025 Healthcare Guidelines

Bobby Dobroski
Oct 23
2 min read

On Wednesday, October 22, 2025, the American Red Cross released the latest updates to its Healthcare Guidelines, continuing its commitment to advancing lifesaving care through evidence-based science. These updates are designed to help clinicians, educators, and first responders across the healthcare spectrum elevate care quality and improve patient outcomes.

Highlights from the 2025 Basic Life Support (BLS) Guidelines

BVMs next to AED Training devices for a BLS Class.

The new recommendations emphasize practical, science-supported techniques for healthcare providers and lay responders alike. Here are several key updates:

🔹 AED Accessibility

The Red Cross now advises that automated external defibrillators (AEDs) intended for public access be stored in unlocked cabinets whenever possible. This ensures faster response times during cardiac emergencies.

🔹 In-Hospital Cardiac Arrest Care

For adult patients in cardiac arrest, healthcare professionals are advised to:

Continue using standard CPR with a 30:2 compression-to-ventilation ratio, or
Perform continuous chest compressions while providing positive pressure ventilations without pausing—whether or not an advanced airway is in place.

🔹 Initiating CPR Without Delay

Both lay responders and healthcare professionals are reminded to begin CPR immediately based on their assessment—without hesitation or fear of causing unintentional harm to individuals not in cardiac arrest.

🔹 Pediatric AED Pad Use

It remains good practice to use pediatric AED pads and specific pad placement instructions when treating infants and children, whenever such equipment is available.

🔹 CPR for Individuals with Obesity

For adults, children, and infants with obesity, standard CPR procedures should be followed.When providing chest compressions to an obese adult in cardiac arrest, greater force may be necessary to achieve the recommended compression depth of at least 2 inches.

Looking Ahead: New Red Cross BLS Training Program Coming in 2026

The American Red Cross has announced that an updated Basic Life Support (BLS) Training Program will launch on February 3, 2026. This program introduces innovative tools and flexible learning options to meet the evolving needs of healthcare professionals:

Focused EMS Track: Optimized training pathways for emergency medical services providers.
Case-Based Learning: Real-world scenarios tailored to both in-hospital and out-of-hospital practices.
Protocol Integration: Allows participants to train with local equipment, procedures, and scope of practice.
Adaptive Testing: New computer-based exams that adjust to learner performance—reducing exam time by up to 50%.
Mobile App Integration: A new Red Cross Resuscitation Suite app supports training, scenario practice, and bedside reference.

DobroSKILLS Training Update

At DobroSKILLS, we remain committed to offering the highest quality CPR and lifesaving instruction.Until the 2026 updates are officially released, DobroSKILLS will continue to offer the American Red Cross Basic Life Support Blended Learning 2021 Updated Course (AP-HSSBLS101-BL-r.21).

This blended program combines online learning with hands-on practice, ensuring participants meet current Red Cross standards while preparing for the transition to the 2026 curriculum.

Classes In Downtown Aurora, IL

Basic Life Support - Blended Learning

$93.00

Book Now

Learn More

You can explore the full 2025 Red Cross Healthcare Guidelines and resources here:

2025 Guidelines Highlights: https://guidelines.redcross.org/arc-2024-highlights/
Full Guidelines Database: https://guidelines.redcross.org/guidelines-database/

About DobroSKILLS

DobroSKILLS provides certified American Red Cross CPR, First Aid, and BLS training throughout the Chicago area. Our mission is to empower communities and professionals to respond confidently in emergencies—because every second counts.

📍 Visit us at www.DobroSKILLS.net to register for upcoming CPR classes and BLS certification sessions.

Comments

Commenting on this post isn't available anymore. Contact the site owner for more info.