Is basic life support certification the same as cpr

BLS vs CPR… What is the Difference?

We get a lot of questions about the difference between AHA BLS Provider CPR and CPR AED.

The difference between BLS and CPR is that the BLS class is an advanced CPR AED course. BLS is an abbreviation for Basic Life Support. The BLS CPR AED is a healthcare level CPR.

The American Heart Association certification for healthcare providers is titled BLS Provider. The BLS CPR AED course is designed for healthcare professionals. The BLS Provider is an advanced CPR AED designed for the professional rescuer. For example, if you are a Nurse/RN/CNA/EMT/Paramedic/Doctor/MA the BLS course is the required certification you will need. 

At Start CPR 1st, we offer both the BLS Provider course and the "lay person" CPR AED with or without First Aid. All our CPR and AED classes cover adult/child and infant modules and typically designed for people such as teachers/ trainers/caregivers/foster parents. If you are not a medical/healthcare professional the best course for you would be a standard CPR AED course with or without First aid. As, the BLS would not be required of you.

All our classes can be view by clicking here: Classroom Courses

If you still aren't sure which class you need visit our Blog "Which cpr class is right for me?"

AHA BLS Card Updates:

Why does the New AHA BLS Card Say BLS Provider and Not BLS Healthcare Provider?

The audience-specific identifiers have been removed because the new BLS Course is designed for healthcare providers caring for patients both in and out of a hospital/in-facility setting. For example, the course DVD includes tracks for both prehospital and in-facility healthcare providers. Instructors may choose a track depending on the type of provider they are teaching or can alternate between tracks to meet the needs of both types of providers.

What specifically is taught in the new BLS Course?

After successfully completing the BLS Course, students should be able to • Describe the importance of high-quality CPR and its impact on survival • Describe all of the steps of the Chain of Survival • Apply the BLS concepts of the Chain of Survival • Recognize the signs of someone needing CPR • Perform high-quality CPR for an adult • Describe the importance of early use of an automated external defibrillator (AED) • Demonstrate the appropriate use of an AED • Provide effective ventilation using a barrier device • Perform high-quality CPR for a child • Perform high-quality CPR for an infant • Describe the importance of teams in multirescuer resuscitation • Perform as an effective team member during multirescuer CPR • Describe the technique for relief of foreign-body airway obstruction for an adult/child or infant.

What does the new AHA BLS ecard look like?

Please see picture above

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  Basic Life Support, or BLS, generally refers to the type of care that first-responders, healthcare providers and public safety professionals provide to anyone who is experiencing cardiac arrest, respiratory distress or an obstructed airway. It requires knowledge and skills in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), using automated external defibrillators (AED) and relieving airway obstructions in patients of every age.

  Get to Know Our Program

  • In addition to the physical skills necessary for providing BLS care to those in need, those working in basic life support also need to have critical-thinking and problem-solving skills, and be able to work as part of a team to deliver the best care possible and improve patient outcomes.
  • To learn more about the specific classes that are part of our BLS program, visit the BLS/CPR page. Or, for a deeper dive into what BLS is, you can purchase and review our Basic Life Support Participant's Manual from the Red Cross Store.
  • American Red Cross Basic Life Support classes are developed under the guidance of, and reviewed by, the American Red Cross Scientific Advisory Council. Content in this program is consistent with:
    • The International Liaison Committee on Resuscitation (ILCOR) 2015–2018 International Consensus on Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation and Emergency Cardiovascular Care Science with Treatment Recommendations.
    • The 2015–2018 American Heart Association Guidelines Update for Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation and Emergency Cardiovascular Care.
  • Created with the latest information available, our BLS classes allow you to learn life-saving techniques and can help prepare you for a career in the medical field, as a police officer or firefighter or another career where caring for others is part of the job.
  • With the American Red Cross, you can take a variety of in-person and online BLS courses – and get the best of both worlds. When you choose our innovative blended learning program, you'll not only receive online lecture material, but you'll also participate in interactive scenarios that allow you to improve your clinical decision-making skills. Once the course is complete, you'll participate in in-person skills sessions. This way, you can learn at your own pace and hone your skills with an instructor in a group setting.

  Of course, as professionals, we know how important it is to not only get the training you need, but to do so as efficiently as possible, which is why our BLS blended learning courses also include adaptive learning functionality, which allows you to receive personalized, focused courses. By completing an optional pre-assessment for each lesson, you'll not only receive an independent learning path, but depending on the results of the pre-assessment, you'll also have the opportunity to test out of a lesson, or test out of specific topics within a lesson – which can reduce the overall amount of time spent in class.

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