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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.

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Compare BLS Course Options
	Blended Learning HeartCode^® BLS	Classroom BLS
Format	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. HeartCode BLS Online is the online portion of BLS blended learning that will prepare students for hands-on practice and testing of BLS skills.	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 90 minutes, depending on the experience of the student.	Full BLS Provider Course takes approximately 3 hours and 40 minutes to complete, including skills practice and skills testing
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 - 2020 Guidelines	BLS ILT FAQ - 2020 Guidelines
Features	The learner has a choice of completing a pre-hospital or in-hospital contextualized track. The course content is presented in the form of self-directed learning content, probes and Cognitive Assessment Activities. It uses a personalized adaptive algorithm that sets learners on the most efficient path to BLS mastery.	Emphasis on high-quality CPR, improvement of chest compression fraction, and high-performing team dynamics. Video-based course with real world scenarios that teaches basic life support skills for application in both in-facility and pre-hospital settings.
Student Materials	20-3553 HeartCode BLS 20-1132 BLS Reference Card 20-3123 BLS Digital Reference Card	20-1102 BLS Provider Manual (includes BLS Reference Card, product 20-1132) OR 20-3102 BLS Provider Manual eBook (includes Digital BLS Reference Card, product 20-3123) 20-1132 BLS Reference Card 20-3123 BLS Digital Reference Card
Instructor Materials	20-1137 BLS Instructor Package with Digital Video 20-1104 BLS Instructor Package with DVD Set OR 20-3103 BLS Instructor Manual eBook 20-1105 BLS Course DVD Set 20-1414 BLS Course Digital Video Additional course materials available for Instructors at AHA Instructor Network	20-1137 BLS Instructor Package with Digital Video 20-1104 BLS Instructor Package with DVD Set 20-1103 BLS Instructor Manual OR 20-3103 BLS Instructor Manual eBook 20-1105 BLS Course DVD Set 20-1414 BLS Course Digital Video 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 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. HeartCode BLS Online is the online portion of BLS blended learning that will prepare students for hands-on practice and testing of BLS skills.
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 90 minutes, 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 - 2020 Guidelines
Features
The learner has a choice of completing a pre-hospital or in-hospital contextualized track. The course content is presented in the form of self-directed learning content, probes and Cognitive Assessment Activities. It uses a personalized adaptive algorithm that sets learners on the most efficient path to BLS mastery.
Student Materials
20-3553 HeartCode BLS 20-1132 BLS Reference Card 20-3123 BLS Digital Reference Card
Instructor Materials
20-1137 BLS Instructor Package with Digital Video 20-1104 BLS Instructor Package with DVD Set OR 20-3103 BLS Instructor Manual eBook 20-1105 BLS Course DVD Set 20-1414 BLS Course Digital Video 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 3 hours and 40 minutes to complete, including skills practice and skills testing
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
BLS ILT FAQ - 2020 Guidelines
Features
Emphasis on high-quality CPR, improvement of chest compression fraction, and high-performing team dynamics. Video-based course with real world scenarios that teaches basic life support skills for application in both in-facility and pre-hospital settings.
Student Materials
20-1102 BLS Provider Manual (includes BLS Reference Card, product 20-1132) OR 20-3102 BLS Provider Manual eBook (includes Digital BLS Reference Card, product 20-3123) 20-1132 BLS Reference Card 20-3123 BLS Digital Reference Card
Instructor Materials
20-1137 BLS Instructor Package with Digital Video 20-1104 BLS Instructor Package with DVD Set 20-1103 BLS Instructor Manual OR 20-3103 BLS Instructor Manual eBook 20-1105 BLS Course DVD Set 20-1414 BLS Course Digital Video Additional course materials available for Instructors at AHA Instructor Network

Is AHA BLS the right course for me?

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