AHA BLS Certification

Why BLS matters

Basic Life Support is a critical component of primary care in emergency medical situations, embodying a series of immediate interventions aimed at preserving life, preventing the condition from deteriorating and promoting recovery in individuals experiencing cardiac arrest, choking, or other life-threatening emergencies.

The cornerstone of the American Heart Association BLS is the early recognition and initiation of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), which maintains vital blood flow to the brain and heart, extending the window for successful resuscitation and advanced medical interventions. AHA BLS training also includes the use of automated external defibrillators (AEDs) to deliver potentially life-saving defibrillation to those experiencing sudden cardiac arrest, improving the chances of survival with each minute that defibrillation is expedited.

The importance of AHA BLS extends beyond healthcare professionals to the general public, as bystander CPR has been shown to significantly increase the survival rates of cardiac arrest victims outside hospital settings. By equipping individuals with the knowledge and skills to perform BLS, communities enhance their resilience against medical emergencies, creating a safer environment for everyone.

Course overview

• The components of high-quality CPR for adults, children and infants.
• Important early use of an AED.
• Effective ventilation techniques including BVM/AMBU.
• Relief of foreign-body airway obstruction (choking) for adults and infants.
• Opioid-related emergencies and use of Narcan.
• Team-based resuscitation: roles, transitions and closed-loop communication.

Who should take BLS

• Registered nurses, LVNs, CNAs and nursing students in clinical placement.
• Medical, PA, NP and dental students, plus residents and fellows who need a current card.
• EMTs, paramedics, firefighters, lifeguards and security or school resource officers.
• Physical, occupational and respiratory therapists; radiology and dialysis techs.
• Anyone required by an employer, clinical site or programme to hold a current BLS provider card.

What to expect in the room

Group size is capped at 12, so there is always a manikin and an AED trainer with feedback for you — not one between six people. We work through single-rescuer skills first, then run team scenarios with rotating roles until compression depth, rate, recoil and ventilation are reliably right.

Before you come

• Bring photo ID — the name on your e-card will match it.
• Wear clothes comfortable for kneeling and compression practice.
• Initial and renewal students take the same in-person session; renewing students often finish skills checks faster.
• If you are renewing outside your card window, book the initial course — the card requirements are identical.

Cancellations

Cancelling inside 72 hours of the class means the fee you have paid is forfeited. Outside that window you may move to the same class on a different date, and that transferred booking becomes non-refundable. See the cancellation and refund policy.