First Aid & CPR Certification Training
AHA first aid and CPR certification courses in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and across the UAE. Heartsaver and BLS, OSHAD approved, on site or at our centres.
AHA first aid and CPR certification training in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and across the UAE — Heartsaver and Basic Life Support courses approved by OSHAD and ACTVET, delivered on site or at ITMAD centres in five languages.
Accidents and medical emergencies do not announce themselves. In any workplace, the ability to respond correctly in the first few minutes decides the outcome. ITMAD is an authorised American Heart Association training provider, delivering AHA Heartsaver first aid, CPR and AED certification courses and Basic Life Support training across the UAE — equipping teams with the competence to act, and employers with the certification records they are required to hold.
Where we deliver
Courses run in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah and across all seven Emirates, either at your premises or at our training facilities. ITMAD operates from a head office in Dubai and a branch office in Abu Dhabi, so scheduling in either emirate is direct rather than subcontracted.
- Dubai — head office, +971 4 2668808
- Abu Dhabi — branch office, +971 2 5502004
- On-site delivery anywhere in the UAE for corporate groups
Approvals and accreditation
ITMAD is an authorised training provider for the American Heart Association's Heartsaver programme. The AHA course completion card is valid for two years and is one of the most widely recognised first aid certifications in the world, accepted by employers, regulators and international organisations throughout the UAE and beyond.
The Heartsaver programme meets OSHAD requirements in Abu Dhabi and is recognised by ACTVET. For organisations operating across Dubai and Abu Dhabi, a single provider covering both means one set of certification records and one renewal schedule rather than two.
Why UAE workplaces need certified first aiders
UAE occupational health and safety regulations — including the OSHAD framework in Abu Dhabi and federal requirements applying nationally — require workplaces to maintain a minimum number of trained first aiders relative to workforce size and risk. Beyond compliance:
- Faster response — trained staff act immediately, reducing the interval between incident and professional medical care
- Reduced severity — correct first response limits how far an injury progresses
- Regulatory compliance — meets OSHAD, municipality and industry-specific requirements for first aiders on site
- Safer culture — training builds hazard awareness beyond the incident itself
- Confidence and retention — staff feel safer where an employer invests in life-saving skills
Courses
AHA Heartsaver First Aid CPR AED
Developed and endorsed by the American Heart Association, designed for people with little or no medical background who need formal certification for employment, regulatory compliance including OSHAD requirements, or personal preparedness.
- Recognising and responding to life-threatening emergencies
- Adult, child and infant CPR
- Use of an automated external defibrillator (AED)
- Relief of choking in adults, children and infants
- Bleeding, burns and wound care
- Recognition of stroke, heart attack and allergic reaction
- Fractures, head and spinal injuries
- Medical emergencies including diabetic emergencies and seizures
Duration: 6 hours including Q&A. Certificate: AHA course completion card, valid 2 years. Approved by: American Heart Association, OSHAD, ACTVET. Languages: English, Hindi, Urdu, Tamil and Malayalam.
Basic Life Support (BLS)
A focused, time-efficient course covering the interventions that most directly affect survival in the minutes before emergency services arrive. Aligned with the AHA Chain of Survival framework and suited to frontline staff, community workers and anyone who may find themselves the first responder.
- Self-protection and use of appropriate barriers
- The Chain of Survival
- Primary survey and assessment of an unresponsive casualty
- Managing unconscious casualties and the recovery position
- Adult CPR technique
- Recognition and relief of choking
- Basic bleeding control and wound management (optional module)
Duration: 3 hours. Suited to organisations needing a practical refresher for large groups, or individuals wanting core life-saving skills without a full-day commitment.
Who should attend
- Employees required to hold a valid first aid certification under UAE workplace regulations
- HR and HSE managers responsible for OSHAD and municipal compliance
- Security personnel, who are frequently first on scene in public and commercial premises
- Teachers, school staff and nursery workers
- Healthcare support staff — reception, portering and administration in clinical settings
- Hospitality and retail employees serving high volumes of the public
- Construction site workers and supervisors in high-risk environments
- Individuals wanting preparedness for home, travel or community emergencies
How courses are delivered
Sessions combine instruction with scenario-based practice on manikins and AED trainers, with groups kept small enough that every delegate is individually observed. Public scheduled courses and dedicated on-site corporate sessions are both available, with scheduling arranged to limit operational disruption.
Delivery is available in English, Hindi, Urdu, Tamil and Malayalam. In a workforce as linguistically diverse as the UAE's, that matters: training delivered in a language a delegate does not fully follow produces a certification rather than competence.
What delegates receive
- AHA course completion card for Heartsaver, valid two years
- Certificate of attendance and assessment
- Training records supplied to the employer for the HSE management system
- Renewal reminders ahead of expiry
Training alongside compliance
ITMAD is an accredited certification and inspection body as well as a training provider. For organisations already holding ISO 45001 certification or statutory equipment inspection with ITMAD, first aider training records can be managed on the same renewal calendar as inspection and certification schedules — which is what an auditor asks to see when they arrive.
Frequently asked questions
Is first aid training mandatory in UAE workplaces?
Yes. UAE occupational health and safety regulations, including OSHAD guidelines in Abu Dhabi and broader federal requirements, require workplaces to maintain a minimum number of certified first aiders based on workforce size and risk level. Both courses meet these requirements.
How long is the AHA first aid certification valid?
The AHA Heartsaver course completion card is valid for two years, after which a renewal or refresher course is required.
Can training be delivered at our workplace?
Yes. On-site sessions for corporate groups are delivered anywhere in the UAE, which suits organisations certifying several employees at once with minimal disruption.
Is training available in Dubai?
Yes. ITMAD's head office is in Dubai and courses run there regularly, as well as at client premises across Dubai and the northern Emirates. Call +971 4 2668808 for Dubai scheduling.
Is the training available in Arabic?
Courses are currently delivered in English, Hindi, Urdu, Tamil and Malayalam. Contact us to discuss Arabic-medium sessions or other customised delivery.
What is the difference between Heartsaver First Aid CPR and BLS?
Heartsaver is the more comprehensive programme, covering CPR, AED use, wound care, burns, fractures and medical emergencies over six hours. BLS is a three-hour course focused on CPR, choking and casualty management.
ITMAD Academy — self-paced online courses
Where classroom scheduling does not suit, ITMAD Academy delivers self-paced online courses across management system and accreditation standards, Exemplar Global recognised, with certificates issued on completion and online verification.