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Basic Life Support (BLS) Course Options

Basic Life Support (BLS) is available in two different training methods – blended learning and classroom training. All BLS course options teach the same American Heart Association science-based skills and result in the same Association BLS Course Completion eCard.

Is BLS the right course for me?

The BLS Provider Course is designed for healthcare professionals and trained first responders who provide care to patients in a wide variety of settings, as well as individuals enrolled in a healthcare training program. Upon successful completion of the course, students receive a course completion eCard, valid for two years. Please contact your employer to ensure that you are selecting the correct course.

For information about BLS Renewals, contact your Training Center.


Compare BLS Course Options
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Classroom
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Blended Learning
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Self-Guided Learning

Format

Students are with an American Heart Association instructor for their entire learning experience. An Instructor administers both the cognitive portion of the course and hands-on skills practice and testing.

Contact an Association Training Center(link opens in new window) in your area to sign up for an Instructor-led class.

Students complete the online portion independently, followed by a hands-on skills session(link opens in new window) with an Association Instructor.

HeartCode BLS(link opens in new window) is online portion of the Association's BLS blended learning delivery method. Blended learning is a combination of eLearning, in which a student completes part of the course in a self-guided manner, followed by a hands-on skills session.

Self-Guided Learning is a type of education delivery where students complete a cognitive learning portion of training online, then complete a hands-on skills portion of training at an approved CPR Verification Station.(link opens in new window)

CPR Verification Station learning centers provide objective coached feedback to enable learners to verify skills competency.

Course Completion

Instructor-led, hands-on class format reinforces skills proficiency

The BLS Instructor-led course teaches both single-rescuer and team basic life support skills for application in both out-of-hospital and in-hospital, with a focus on High-Quality CPR and team dynamics.

HeartCode BLS uses a personalized adaptive algorithm that sets students on the most efficient path to BLS mastery. Students follow a continuously adapting learning path that is personalized by their own inputs: their performance and their self- reported confidence level related to each probe. The course content is presented in the form of self-guided learning content, probes, and Cognitive Assessment Activities.

The student has a choice of completing a in-hospital and out-of-hospital contextualized track. After completing the online portion, students will attend a structured, Instructor-led hands-on session that focuses on meaningful skills practice, team scenarios, and skills testing. Where available, students may also complete the hands-on session with a HeartCode compatible manikin.

HeartCode® Complete offers the next step in resuscitation training with the use of the CPR Verification Station. HeartCode Complete allows learners to fully complete their BLS training at their own pace.

By combining comprehensive online learning with hands-on skills practice and testing, HeartCode Complete offers consistent, high-quality resuscitation training at a pace suited for every individual.

Time

  • Full BLS Provider Course takes approximately 4.5 hours (with breaks) to complete, including skills practice and skills testing
  • BLS Renewal Course takes approximately 4 hours (with breaks) to complete, including skills practice and testing
*Course time based on 1 instructor: 6 students: 2 manikins

The online portion of HeartCode BLS can be completed in approximately 1 to 2 hours.

Time to complete the hands-on skills session varies from 60 minutes to 2 hours, depending on the experience of the student.

Timing for HeartCode Complete BLS varies depending on the student’s level of experience.

Completion Card

BLS Provider Course Completion Card (eCard), valid for two years
BLS Provider Course Completion Card (eCard), valid for two years

HeartCode Complete BLS Provider Card eCard, valid for two years

Accessibility

Contact your Training Center to inquire about their facility’s accommodations.
HeartCode BLS Online is WCAG 2.1 AA compliant.

Contact the CPR Verification Station Learning Center(link opens in new window) to inquire about their accommodations.

CE/CME

FAQ

Features

  • Emphasis on high-quality CPR including a team dynamics classroom activity
  • Video-based course with real world scenarios
  • Practice sessions with Instructor feedback
  • Includes in-hospital and out-of-hospital tracks; student chooses their track before starting the HeartCode BLS Online Portion
  • Enhanced learning experience through eSimulations, life-like animations, video scenarios, and knowledge checks
  • Includes in-hospital and out-of-hospital tracks; student chooses their track before starting the HeartCode BLS Online Portion
  • Detailed debriefing after every online learning module
  • Real-time audio and visual feedback during skills sessions

Student Materials

HeartCode® BLS Online will be provided by the Authorized Distributor offering Self-Guided training.

Instructor Materials

N/A

Ready to take a Basic Life Support (BLS) class?

The Association offers options for how you can purchase BLS. You can take a full classroom course, take a blended learning course (HeartCode® BLS + a hands-on skills session training), or purchase additional course materials. Choose from the options below.

Related Training

emergency doctor and nurses with patient

Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS)

This advanced course highlights the importance of high-performance team dynamics and communication, systems of care, recognition and intervention of cardiopulmonary arrest, immediate post-cardiac arrest, acute dysrhythmia, stroke, and acute coronary syndromes (ACS).