Back to search

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.

Purchase BLS course materials

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 Basic Life Support

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 60 minutes to 2 hours, 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	HeartCode BLS Online is WCAG 2.1 AA compliant.	Contact your Training Center to inquire about their facility’s accommodations.
CE/CME	Available	Available
FAQ	HeartCode BLS FAQ (PDF)	2020 BLS Instructor-Led Training FAQs (PDF)
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	20-3553 HeartCode BLS(link opens in new window) 20-1132 BLS Reference Card(link opens in new window) 20-3123 BLS Digital Reference Card(link opens in new window)	20-1102 BLS Provider Manual (includes BLS Reference Card, product 20-1132)(link opens in new window) OR 20-3102 BLS Provider Manual eBook (includes Digital BLS Reference Card, product 20-3123)(link opens in new window) 20-1132 BLS Reference Card(link opens in new window) 20-3123 BLS Digital Reference Card(link opens in new window)
Instructor Materials	20-1137 BLS Instructor Package with Digital Video(link opens in new window) 20-1104 BLS Instructor Package with DVD Set(link opens in new window)(link opens in new window) OR 20-3103 BLS Instructor Manual eBook(link opens in new window) 20-1105 BLS Course DVD Set(link opens in new window) 20-1414 BLS Course Digital Video(link opens in new window) Additional course materials available for Instructors at AHA Instructor Network	20-1137 BLS Instructor Package with Digital Video(link opens in new window) 20-1104 BLS Instructor Package with DVD Set(link opens in new window) 20-1103 BLS Instructor Manual(link opens in new window) OR 20-3103 BLS Instructor Manual eBook(link opens in new window) 20-1105 BLS Course DVD Set(link opens in new window) 20-1414 BLS Course Digital Video(link opens in new window) 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 60 minutes to 2 hours, depending on the experience of the student.
Completion Card
BLS Provider Course Completion Card, valid for two years
Accessibility
HeartCode BLS Online is WCAG 2.1 AA compliant.
CE/CME
Available
FAQ
HeartCode BLS FAQ (PDF)
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
20-3553 HeartCode BLS(link opens in new window) 20-1132 BLS Reference Card(link opens in new window) 20-3123 BLS Digital Reference Card(link opens in new window)
Instructor Materials
20-1137 BLS Instructor Package with Digital Video(link opens in new window) 20-1104 BLS Instructor Package with DVD Set(link opens in new window)(link opens in new window) OR 20-3103 BLS Instructor Manual eBook(link opens in new window) 20-1105 BLS Course DVD Set(link opens in new window) 20-1414 BLS Course Digital Video(link opens in new window) 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
FAQ
2020 BLS Instructor-Led Training FAQs (PDF)
Features
Emphasis on high-quality CPR including a team dynamics classroom activity Video-based course with real world scenarios
Student Materials
20-1102 BLS Provider Manual (includes BLS Reference Card, product 20-1132)(link opens in new window) OR 20-3102 BLS Provider Manual eBook (includes Digital BLS Reference Card, product 20-3123)(link opens in new window) 20-1132 BLS Reference Card(link opens in new window) 20-3123 BLS Digital Reference Card(link opens in new window)
Instructor Materials
20-1137 BLS Instructor Package with Digital Video(link opens in new window) 20-1104 BLS Instructor Package with DVD Set(link opens in new window) 20-1103 BLS Instructor Manual(link opens in new window) OR 20-3103 BLS Instructor Manual eBook(link opens in new window) 20-1105 BLS Course DVD Set(link opens in new window) 20-1414 BLS Course Digital Video(link opens in new window) Additional course materials available for Instructors at AHA Instructor Network

Is AHA BLS the right course for me?

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

Related Training

Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS)