BASIC LIFE SUPPORT (BLS) PROVIDER

BASIC LIFE SUPPORT (BLS) PROVIDER

The AHA’s BLS course trains participants to promptly recognize several life-threatening emergencies, give high-quality chest compressions, deliver appropriate ventilations and provide early use of an AED. Reflects science and education from the American Heart Association Guidelines Update for CPR and Emergency Cardiovascular Care (ECC).

WHO SHOULD TAKE THIS COURSE?

The AHA’s BLS Course is designed for healthcare professionals and other personnel who need to know how to perform CPR and other basic cardiovascular life support skills in a wide variety of in-facility and prehospital settings.

BLS is geared towards prehospital providers, like EMTs, paramedics, fire fighters, and in-facility hospital providers. Upon successful completion of the course, students receive a course completion card, valid for two years. Please contact your employer to ensure that you are selecting the correct course.

This course is appropriate for medical providers and healthcare professionals such as:

  • EMTs and Paramedics
  • CNAs, LPNs, RNs, CRNAs, APNs, and Nurse Practitioners
  • Physicians, PAs, and Certified Medical Assistants
  • Pharmacists
  • Dentists, Dental Hygienists, and Dental Assistants
  • Chiropractors
  • Physical and Occupational Therapists
  • Other Healthcare Providers or Professionals, and Medical or Healthcare Students

WHAT DOES THIS COURSE TEACH?

  • High-quality CPR for adults, children, and infants
  • The AHA Chain of Survival, specifically the BLS components
  • Important early use of an AED
  • Effective ventilations using a barrier device
  • Importance of teams in multirescuer resuscitation and performance as an effective team member during multirescuer CPR
  • Relief of foreign-body airway obstruction (choking) for adults and infants

WHAT FORMAT IS THIS COURSE TAUGHT IN?

This course can be taken in either a blended learning, or traditional classroom format.

HeartCode BLS is a hybrid, blended learning course which involves a combination of eLearning followed by an in-person skills check with an American Heart Association BLS Instructor. Students first complete a self-directed, online course including the written exam. Students then schedule and meet with an American Heart Association BLS Instructor to perform their hands-on skills performance evaluation. Students must successfully complete both the online and in-person requirements to receive their course completion eCard.

Instructor-Led Training (ILT) is an entirely in-person course whereby a student attends and receives their training in a traditional classroom setting. This course is conducted entirely in-person by an American Heart Association BLS Instructor utilizing videos, skills demonstrations, lecture, and discussion. Students must successfully complete all course requirements, including the written exam and skills performance to receive their course completion eCard.

WHAT IS THE LENGTH OF THIS COURSE?

HeartCode BLS: 2h - 3h 30m (eLearning 1h - 2h) + (In-Person 1h - 1h 30m)*

Instructor-Led Training: 3h 40m*

* Course completion times may, and often do vary based on many factors such as course format, number of students, student:manikin ratio, individual learner abilities, remediation, and other parameters. Listed course lengths are approximations only.

WHAT ARE THE PREREQUISITES FOR TAKING THIS COURSE?

HeartCode BLS: Students must successfully complete the online HeartCode training prior to attending the in-person hands-on skills check. Students must bring the printed course completion certificate to their skills check.

Instructor-Led Training: There are no prerequisites or online course work required prior to attending the BLS Provider course.

WHAT ARE THE COURSE COMPLETION REQUIREMENTS?

HeartCode BLS: Successful completion of the HeartCode BLS Online course, which includes the written examination, followed by successful hands-on skills demonstration with an AHA BLS Instructor. Skills demonstration includes adult, child, and infant chest compressions and ventilations, and AED use.

Instructor-Led Training: Successful skills demonstration including adult, child, and infant chest compressions and ventilations, and AED use. Students must also complete a 25 question written examination and achieve a passing score of 84% or above.

WHAT TYPE OF CERTIFICATE OR CARD WILL I RECEIVE?

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be issued an American Heart Association course completion eCard, which is valid for two years.

WHERE CAN I FIND OR REGISTER FOR AN UPCOMING CLASS?

Visit our class registration page to view and register for any of our upcoming classes. 

Prefer to attend this class at your location? We offer on-site training for groups of six or more. Simply visit our training request page and complete the online questionnaire. Our friendly staff will contact you to review your request. 


Disclaimer: The American Heart Association strongly promotes knowledge and proficiency in BLS, ACLS, and PALS and has developed instructional materials for this purpose. Use of these materials in an educational course does not represent course sponsorship by the American Heart Association. Any fees charged for such a course, except for a portion of fees needed for AHA course materials, do not represent income to the Association.