BLS EDUCATIONAL GUIDE
BLS Skills Checklist
Review the high-quality CPR skills commonly demonstrated during the HeartCode BLS skills session.
After completing the American Heart Association HeartCode BLS eLearning course, healthcare professionals attend an in-person skills session to demonstrate high-quality CPR skills. This educational guide provides an overview of the skills commonly verified during the BLS skills session. It supplements—but does not replace—the official American Heart Association course materials.
Whether you are becoming ACLS certified for the first time or renewing your certification, understanding what to expect can help you feel more confident before your course.
WHAT SKILLS ARE VERIFIED?
The BLS skills session is designed to verify that healthcare professionals can perform high-quality CPR skills according to current American Heart Association standards. Students demonstrate skills they learned during the HeartCode BLS eLearning course using the CPR Verification Station.
WHO NEEDS BLS CERTIFICATION?
Healthcare professionals commonly requiring BLS certification include:
- Registered Nurses (RN)
- Physicians
- Nurse Practitioners
- Physician Assistants
- Respiratory Therapists
- Paramedics
- Dental Professionals
- Healthcare Students
BLS SKILLS SESSION
The HeartCode BLS skills session verifies high-quality CPR performance using the American Heart Association CPR Verification Station.
Skills commonly demonstrated include:
- Adult high-quality CPR
- Infant high-quality CPR
- Adult bag-mask ventilations
- Infant bag-mask ventilations
- AED operation
- High-quality chest compressions
- Effective ventilations
HOW TO PREPARE
Preparing before your HeartCode BLS skills session can help you feel confident while demonstrating your CPR skills.
- Complete the HeartCode BLS eLearning course before your skills session.
- Review adult and infant CPR concepts.
- Become familiar with AED concepts.
- Arrive prepared to demonstrate high-quality CPR skills.
- Key Takeaways
- BLS concepts are taught during the HeartCode BLS eLearning course.
- The in-person skills session verifies high-quality CPR performance.
- Adult and infant CPR skills are demonstrated during the skills session.
- Successful completion results in your American Heart Association BLS Provider eCard.
Frequently Asked Questions
American Heart Association BLS certification is typically valid for two years.
BLS certification is intended for healthcare professionals and healthcare students who may respond to medical emergencies requiring CPR and AED use.
Yes. BLS is designed for healthcare professionals and includes high-quality CPR, AED use, team dynamics, and emergency response concepts taught during the HeartCode BLS eLearning course.
Yes. Students complete the HeartCode BLS eLearning course before attending the in-person skills session, which focuses on demonstrating high-quality CPR skills.
