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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 AHA science-based skills and result in the same AHA BLS Course Completion Card.

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Is AHA BLS the right course for me?

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.

For information about BLS Renewals, contact your Training Center.

Learn more about BLS

Compare BLS Course Options
	Blended Learning HeartCode^® BLS	Classroom BLS
Format	Blended Learning (online portion, followed by hands-on skills session) HeartCode BLS uses a variety of eLearning assets such as dramatizations, eSimulations, animations, self-directed learning, and interactive activities to teach students BLS knowledge and skills. HeartCode BLS is the AHA’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-directed manner, followed by a hands-on skills session.	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 prehospital and in-facility environments, with a focus on High-Quality CPR and team dynamics.
Course Completion	Complete the online portion + hands-on skills session with an AHA Instructor, or with a voice-assisted manikin (VAM) or Simulation Station	Contact an AHA Training Center in your area to sign up for an Instructor-led class
Time	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 70 minutes to 2 hours, 45 minutes, depending on the experience of the student.	Full BLS Provider Course takes approximately 4.5 hours to complete, including skills practice and skills testing BLS Renewal Course takes approximately 3 hours to complete, including skills practice and testing *Course time based on 1 instructor: 6 students: 2 manikins
Completion Card	BLS Provider Course Completion Card, valid for two years	BLS Provider Course Completion Card, valid for two years
Accessibility	Accessible version available for students with hearing, vision, and/or motor impairments on ShopCPR.Heart.org.	Contact your Training Center to inquire about their facility’s accommodations.
CE/CME	Available – See FAQs for Details	Available – See FAQs for Details
FAQ	HeartCode BLS FAQ	BLS ILT FAQ
Features	Includes in-facility and prehospital tracks; student chooses his/her track before starting the HeartCode BLS Online Portion Enhanced learning experience through eSimulations, life-like animations, video scenarios, and knowledge checks	Emphasis on high-quality CPR including a team dynamics classroom activity Video-based course with real world scenarios
Student Materials	15-1400 HeartCode BLS 15-1421 HeartCode BLS (accessible version)	15-1010 BLS Provider Manual (includes BLS Reference Card) OR 15-3102 BLS Provider Manual eBook (includes Digital BLS Reference Card)
Instructor Materials	15-1077 BLS Instructor Package with Renewal 15-1009 BLS Instructor Manual (includes Lesson Plans and the BLS Instructor CD) OR 15-3103 BLS Instructor Manual eBook 15-1011 BLS Course DVD Set 15-1078 BLS Renewal Course DVD 15-1079 BLS Course DVD 3-Disc Set with Renewal Additional course materials available for Instructors at AHA Instructor Network	15-1077 BLS Instructor Package with Renewal 15-1009 BLS Instructor Manual (includes Lesson Plans and the BLS Instructor CD) OR 15-3103 BLS Instructor Manual eBook 15-1011 BLS Course DVD Set 15-1078 BLS Renewal Course DVD 15-1079 BLS Course DVD 3-Disc Set with Renewal Additional course materials available for Instructors at AHA Instructor Network

Compare BLS Course Options

Course Options - Blended Learning HeartCode^® BLS -
Blended Learning HeartCode^® BLS
Format
Blended Learning (online portion, followed by hands-on skills session) HeartCode BLS uses a variety of eLearning assets such as dramatizations, eSimulations, animations, self-directed learning, and interactive activities to teach students BLS knowledge and skills. HeartCode BLS is the AHA’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-directed manner, followed by a hands-on skills session.
Course Completion
Complete the online portion + hands-on skills session with an AHA Instructor, or with a voice-assisted manikin (VAM) or Simulation Station
Time
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 70 minutes to 2 hours, 45 minutes, depending on the experience of the student.
Completion Card
BLS Provider Course Completion Card, valid for two years
Accessibility
Accessible version available for students with hearing, vision, and/or motor impairments on ShopCPR.Heart.org.
CE/CME
Available – See FAQs for Details
FAQ
HeartCode BLS FAQ
Features
Includes in-facility and prehospital tracks; student chooses his/her track before starting the HeartCode BLS Online Portion Enhanced learning experience through eSimulations, life-like animations, video scenarios, and knowledge checks
Student Materials
15-1400 HeartCode BLS 15-1421 HeartCode BLS (accessible version)
Instructor Materials
15-1077 BLS Instructor Package with Renewal 15-1009 BLS Instructor Manual (includes Lesson Plans and the BLS Instructor CD) OR 15-3103 BLS Instructor Manual eBook 15-1011 BLS Course DVD Set 15-1078 BLS Renewal Course DVD 15-1079 BLS Course DVD 3-Disc Set with Renewal Additional course materials available for Instructors at AHA Instructor Network

Course Options - Classroom BLS -
Classroom BLS
Format
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 prehospital and in-facility environments, with a focus on High-Quality CPR and team dynamics.
Course Completion
Contact an AHA Training Center in your area to sign up for an Instructor-led class
Time
Full BLS Provider Course takes approximately 4.5 hours to complete, including skills practice and skills testing BLS Renewal Course takes approximately 3 hours to complete, including skills practice and testing *Course time based on 1 instructor: 6 students: 2 manikins
Completion Card
BLS Provider Course Completion Card, valid for two years
Accessibility
Contact your Training Center to inquire about their facility’s accommodations.
CE/CME
Available – See FAQs for Details
FAQ
BLS ILT FAQ
Features
Emphasis on high-quality CPR including a team dynamics classroom activity Video-based course with real world scenarios
Student Materials
15-1010 BLS Provider Manual (includes BLS Reference Card) OR 15-3102 BLS Provider Manual eBook (includes Digital BLS Reference Card)
Instructor Materials
15-1077 BLS Instructor Package with Renewal 15-1009 BLS Instructor Manual (includes Lesson Plans and the BLS Instructor CD) OR 15-3103 BLS Instructor Manual eBook 15-1011 BLS Course DVD Set 15-1078 BLS Renewal Course DVD 15-1079 BLS Course DVD 3-Disc Set with Renewal Additional course materials available for Instructors at AHA Instructor Network

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Training and Purchase Options

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