Who is the BLS Provider course for?

The BLS Provider course is particularly suitable for healthcare professionals, trained first responders and people completing healthcare training.

This includes:

• Doctors and physicians
• Medical students
• General practitioners
• Nurses and nurse managers
• Nursing students
• Paramedics
• Emergency Medical Technicians
• Dentists
• Respiratory therapists
• Cardiac technicians
• Cardiac rehabilitation staff
• Physiotherapists
• Occupational therapists
• Care assistants
• Allied healthcare professionals
• Other healthcare personnel who require BLS certification

There are no formal course prerequisites.

BLS is a practical course that includes hands-on CPR and skills assessment. If you require reasonable accommodations to participate in the training or assessment, contact UFAS before booking so that your requirements can be discussed.

What will I learn on a BLS Provider course?

The IHF/AHA BLS Provider course develops the practical skills required to respond effectively to cardiac arrest and other life-threatening emergencies.

Training includes:

High-quality CPR

• Principles of high-quality CPR
• Recognition of cardiac arrest
• The AHA Chain of Survival
• Adult CPR
• Child CPR
• Infant CPR
• One-rescuer CPR
• Two-rescuer CPR

AED and defibrillation

• Early use of an Automated External Defibrillator (AED)
• CPR and AED use for adults
• CPR and AED use for children and infants where appropriate
• Safe and effective use of an AED during resuscitation

Breathing and ventilation

• Effective rescue breathing
• Bag-mask ventilation techniques
• Ventilation for adults, children and infants
• CPR where an advanced airway is in place

Choking and airway emergencies

• Recognition of foreign-body airway obstruction
• Relief of choking in adults
• Relief of choking in children
• Relief of choking in infants

Team-based resuscitation

• Working effectively as part of a resuscitation team
• Coordinating CPR, ventilation and AED use
• High-performance team dynamics during a cardiac arrest response

Practical BLS training for healthcare professionals

Basic Life Support is a hands-on course.

Participants practise CPR, AED use, ventilation and other BLS skills using appropriate training equipment under the guidance of a qualified instructor.

The course is designed around practical performance rather than theory alone, helping healthcare professionals develop the skills needed to respond effectively during a real resuscitation attempt.

BLS course duration and assessment

The instructor-led BLS Provider course takes approximately 4 hours, although course duration can vary depending on group size, learner experience and delivery arrangements.

To successfully complete the BLS Provider course, participants must complete the required practical skills assessments and written examination.

Assessment includes:

• Adult CPR and AED Skills Test
• Infant CPR Skills Test
• 25-question BLS examination
• Minimum exam pass mark of 84%

Participants must successfully complete the required course components to receive BLS Provider certification.

Classroom and blended BLS training

The BLS Provider course is available in instructor-led classroom and blended-learning formats.

Instructor-led BLS

The complete course is delivered with an instructor and includes teaching, practical skills practice, assessment and course completion requirements.

Blended BLS / HeartCode BLS

The blended-learning option combines online learning with a practical hands-on skills session.

Participants completing the blended route must complete both the required online component and hands-on skills session to achieve BLS Provider certification.

Contact UFAS if you are unsure which format is most appropriate for you or your organisation.

IHF / AHA BLS Provider certification

Participants who successfully complete all required course components receive BLS Provider course completion certification, valid for two years.

The course is delivered through the Irish Heart Foundation / American Heart Association resuscitation training programme.

BLS training for healthcare organisations

UFAS delivers BLS Provider training for healthcare professionals and organisations across Ireland.

Training can be arranged for:

• Hospitals
• Medical and GP practices
• Nursing homes and residential care facilities
• Dental practices
• Healthcare clinics
• Ambulance and emergency services
• Community healthcare teams
• Colleges and healthcare education providers
• Other healthcare organisations

Group training can be delivered at your facility or another suitable venue.

Tell UFAS how many people require training and where you are based, and we will help you arrange a suitable course.