What is BLS Certification?

Basic Life Support (BLS) is a system of techniques and interventions that are used to recognize and treat cardiac arrest, stroke, and other selected medical emergencies. BLS teaches students:

• Information about the risk factors for the development of cardiovascular disease and stroke.

• How to recognize and treat cardiac arrest, stroke, and an obstructed airway.

• How to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).

• How to use an automated external defibrillator.

• How to assist someone who has an obstructed airway.

All BLS classes deliver essentially the same information, but BLS for Healthcare Providers offers more detailed information, uses the “BLS for Healthcare Providers” textbook, and is the appropriate course for nurses, physicians, etc. At the completion of the class, students take a written exam and demonstrate their ability to perform the practical, hands-on skills (e.g., CPR, use of an AED) of BLS. If the student passes, he/she receives BLS certification; the certification is valid for two years. Traditional BLS courses are typically 4-5 hours long and consist of short lectures, demonstrations, and practicing hands-on skills.

However, on-line certification is also an option. On-line courses use the same content as traditional, classroom-based courses. They also provide practice exams, and the student can take the certification exam on-line, as well. After the on-line course has been completed and the student has passed the written exam, a certified BLS instructor in the student’s area can be contacted and the instructor will check the students’ ability to perform the practical, hands-on skills. The advantages of an on-line BLS course and certification include: 

• Convenience: The student can take the course anywhere and at any time. This may seem obvious, but when you are trying to a) find a BLS class that is open, and b) fits into your schedule, an on-line class can be invaluable. 

• Pace/style of learning: Traditional classroom-based BLS courses must accommodate many students, and everyone learns at his/her own pace and in his/her own way. This may be suitable for you, but with an on-line course and on-line certification each student can study at a pace and in a way that works best for them.

• Organization: Some sections of BLS may seem easy and some may seem difficult. If you find one part of BLS to be more challenging than another, you will want to spend more time studying that material, and you may have questions for the instructor. With an on-line course, the time you spend focusing on a particular part of BLS is not limited to the classroom hours of a traditional BLS class and your need for extra time with an instructor will not interfere with other students’ needs and time. 

Regardless of the class format, BLS covers a lot of information. Passing the written exam and the skills exam requires a good amount of commitment and time, but most students do pass and once you have passed, recertification is always easier. 

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