Frequently Asked Questions

AVIRT brings together expertise from law enforcement, security, and medical professionals. The content in AVIRT has been specifically adapted for the general public. Unlike other training programs that focus solely on Run, Hide, Fight techniques, AVIRT uses a dynamic method to teach you proactive awareness, how to react and protect yourself and others in a violent situation, and how to respond to severe injuries that are often a result of these occurrences.

The AVIRT course is delivered in a traditional classroom or a “blended” training format.

Traditional Classroom and Blended sessions take about approximately three hours and include hands-on training, realistic drills and education with encouraging tips and feedback. Class sizes are limited to 15 people or less so that all participants will leave the AVIRT program with the confidence to respond with appropriate action if an active violence or life-threatening situation arises.

We recommend training staff annually or every two years and maintaining a workplace violence program as required by OSHA [section 32.0.2(1)]. Clear policies and procedures should be reviewed and updated annually.

With the AVIRT program you can select different training options. The first option is to select individual(s) to attend an AVIRT Instructor Development Course to become an Authorized AVIRT Instructor to train internal staff as needed. A second option is to talk to our training development team who will provide training options and arrange for one of our Authorized AVIRT Instructors to conduct the training for your organization.

Yes, we do. If you are interested in training a group, please contact us so we can learn more about your specific needs and how we can support you.

Due to its subject matter and dynamic training style, all instructor candidates must attend an AVIRT Instructor Development Course (IDC).

The AVIRT IDC uses blended learning, meaning the initial training is completed online as a preparation for the one-day in-person course with an AVIRT Instructor Trainer. The online portion takes approximately two hours to complete, and the in-person training is about six hours.

Yes, you can become an Authorized AVIRT Instructor and offer this training for your organization and/or customers. Since, the AVIRT course is different than our other training programs, and we require all instructor candidates to attend our AVIRT IDC to become an Authorized AVIRT Instructor.

The AVIRT IDC is $695 and includes the blended, online streaming and in-person hands-on IDC course, digital AVIRT Instructor Guide, authorization fee, and access to the AVIRT Instructor portal. The price of the IDC also includes an AVIRT Instructor Training Kit (a $450+ value) with:

• 1 TAC+PAC bleeding control kit
• 15 training tourniquets
• 15 wound simulators with gauze
• 10 distraction objects
• 1 orange rifle replica
• 1 orange handgun replica
• 1 large backpack style bag
• AVIRT Instructor polo shirt

You may be eligible for an additional discount if you are a current HSI CPR and First Aid Training Center or Instructor, or if you are a first responder, law enforcement professional or military personnel. Please ask our scheduling team for your one-time special discount pricing of up to $100 off the IDC course.

Authorized AVIRT Instructors are eligible to teach for one year. After one year, an annual fee of $100 per year is required to maintain authorized AVIRT Instructor status. Because the nature of this topic is very dynamic, content will be updated on a regular basis.

Authorized AVIRT Instructors are eligible to teach for one year and then required to pay an annual fee of $100 per year to maintain their authorized instructor status.

No. AVIRT was developed by experts who bring extensive experience in these fields and have adapted their knowledge for the general public. During the AVIRT IDC, you will learn how to conduct an AVIRT training session.

No, as an Authorized AVIRT Instructor, you will receive orange training replicas of a rifle and a handgun as part of your instructor training kit. You will be trained by one of our AVIRT Instructor Trainers on how to use these training components to conduct the weapon disarming portion of the class. All specific information regarding weapons will be covered in the AVIRT IDC.

The first year of AVIRT authorization is included with your IDC. Each year after that is $100.

HSI provides authorized AVIRT Instructors with the tools necessary to conduct training. If you qualify as an authorized AVIRT Instructor for the National Training Solution Network, HSI will provide you with training opportunities in your area as they arise.

NTS is a nationwide referral system for AVIRT classes that brings training opportunities to local Training Centers/Instructors. If you are interested in learning more about this program please contact us.

We understand you may already have similar items for active shooter training, but we require all Authorized AVIRT instructors to use the AVIRT Instructor Training Kit provided with your IDC. This ensures consistency for the AVIRT program delivery and provides components that were designed with features that focus on safety for the instructors and students throughout the course.

AVIRT goes beyond typical active shooter training by combining training in active violence response and emergency bleeding control into one program. This ensures individuals are ready and confident to respond appropriately if faced with active violence, which can result in an emergency bleeding situation.

We do not sell the AVIRT Training Kit separately from the IDC. We understand that through training classes, some components of the kit may show normal wear and tear, and will we have some accessories available for replacement.

At this time, we are only conducting our AVIRT IDCs in the U.S. We have received interest from many people outside of the U.S., and we will send a notification if we expand the program internationally.

AVIRT stands Active Violence Immediate Response Training. AVIRT goes beyond active shooter training by including emergency bleeding control basics to ensure all participants know how to respond appropriately and help individuals who may be injured before medical responders arrive on scene.

AVIRT training supports anyone who could be involved in an active violence situation, and it’s appropriate for all industries and types of venues such as: Government, Healthcare, Places of Worship, Schools, Sporting Venues, Manufacturing, Office Settings and Retail Environments.

Everybody should participate in the training to ensure they know how to prevent and respond if met with an active violence situation.

The AVIRT certification course is an active program that integrates a lot of hands-on skills and techniques, making it necessary to require a maximum class size of 15 students per Authorized AVIRT Instructor.

Authorized AVIRT instructors use orange replica weapons to discuss the types of weapons most commonly used in violent situations. They are also used to demonstrate how to disarm an attacker if other alternatives, such as evading and escaping, are not possible.

Yes, AVIRT uses training tourniquets to prepare students to respond to potential injuries that may occur in an active violence or emergency bleeding event.

AVIRT promotes TAC+PAC Bleeding Control kits, which include a NAR Generation 7 CAT tourniquet. AVIRT TAC+PACs are free from allergens and have unlimited shelf life to ensure you and your company are prepared and always ready to respond if needed.

OSHA does not have a specific standard for workplace violence. However, under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 (the OSH Act, or the Act), the extent of an employer's obligation to address workplace violence is governed by the General Duty Clause, which is often interpreted to include protection from workplace violence.

Requirements vary based on the state, industry and/or employer. OSHA provides information regarding Workplace violence here: https://www.osha.gov/workplace-violence

In this link, OSHA addresses active shooter incidents in “Question 2” and its corresponding answer: https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/standardinterpretations/2019-06-19

AVIRT was developed to go beyond active shooter training or Stop the Bleed training by combining these two very important topics into one program. With AVIRT, you will learn how to recognize warning signs to help prevent an active violence situation, stop bleeding in a severely injured person, and act quickly with emergency response tactics for surviving a violent encounter.