Naloxone (Narcan) Training Resources

Opioid emergency education

CPR and first aid instructors can help students recognize a suspected opioid overdose and respond effectively. Naloxone is a medication that can reverse the effects of an opioid overdose; Narcan is a familiar brand of naloxone nasal spray.

Use current AHA course materials, official education resources, and the instructions for the product being taught. Keep instruction appropriate to your course and audience, including workplace teams, schools, public safety personnel, and community members.

Key teaching points

• Recognize an emergency and activate help. Teach students to recognize unresponsiveness and abnormal or absent breathing, call 911, and follow dispatcher instructions.
• Address breathing and circulation. Teach the CPR, breathing support, and AED response appropriate to the student's training and the person's condition.
• Use naloxone without delaying needed care. Naloxone must not delay or interrupt CPR when CPR is needed. Follow the current course guidance and product instructions.
• Continue care after naloxone. Emergency medical care is still needed even if the person improves. Teach continued observation and support until emergency responders take over.
• Explain workplace expectations. Review applicable organizational procedures, including how to summon help and where naloxone and emergency equipment are located.

Use the linked resources and current instructor materials for the full response sequence and product-specific administration instructions.

Official education and instructor resources

American Heart Association

Review AHA opioid education resources and the current instructor materials for the course you teach.

AHA instructor resources

North Dakota Health and Human Services

North Dakota HHS provides opioid overdose prevention information, a naloxone training video, and community resources.

Request naloxone kits in North Dakota

North Dakota HHS currently provides a request process for free Narcan (naloxone) kits. Visit its opioid resources page and choose Request Narcan (naloxone), or call the HHS behavioral health team at 701.328.8920.

This resource is specific to North Dakota. Instructors serving other states should direct students to their state or local public health resources for naloxone access.

Questions about teaching resources

Contact Last Minute Training with questions about incorporating opioid emergency education into your courses and finding appropriate teaching resources.