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