Definition of BLS (Basic Life Support)

BLS (Basic Life Support)

Basic Life Support (BLS) is the foundational level of emergency care delivered to victims of cardiac arrest, respiratory arrest, or airway obstruction before advanced help arrives. It centers on the core skills any trained responder can perform: recognizing the emergency, activating the emergency response system, delivering high-quality chest compressions, providing rescue breaths, and using an AED.

BLS is the entry-level certification required for nurses, physicians, EMTs, dental professionals, and many other healthcare workers, as well as first responders and lay rescuers. Its emphasis on early, effective compressions and rapid defibrillation forms the first critical links in the chain of survival, keeping oxygenated blood moving to the brain and heart until advanced interventions can be applied.

CPR Certification Labs provides hands-on, American Heart Association–aligned CPR, BLS, ACLS, and PALS certification training to help providers master these life-saving skills.

Medical Definition & Meaning

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Get your AHA BLS, ACLS, and PALS Provider Certification today

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What the AHA CPR Certification Course Includes

Comprehensive CPR Training for Adults, Children, and Infants

Our technology delivers immediate, actionable feedback that refines your skills in real time.

Proper Use of AED Devices for All Age Groups

Understand how to safely and effectively operate an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) for adults, children, and infants.

Airway Obstruction Relief and Heimlich Maneuver

Learn how to perform the Heimlich maneuver and clear airway obstructions caused by choking in both adults and infants.

Team-Based Multi-Rescuer CPR Techniques

Gain experience working as part of a team when more than one rescuer is available during an emergency.

Official American Heart Association CPR E-Card

Receive your AHA CPR Certification E-Card on the same day you complete the class and pass the exam.

Get your AHA BLS, ACLS, and PALS Provider Certification today

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