Your first Basic Life Support (BLS) class is mostly practice, not lectures. You will spend much of the session on the floor beside a manikin, repeating the same skills until they feel automatic. Knowing what the day looks like makes it easier to relax and learn.
Before class
When your inquiry is confirmed, our team sends the class date, venue and start time. Arrive a little early to register and settle in. If you are renewing a card, bring your current card so the instructor can check it. No prior experience is needed for a first class; if your course includes pre-course reading, we send it with your confirmation.
What to bring
Checklist
- A valid ID for registration
- Comfortable clothes you can kneel and move in
- Your current card, if you are renewing
- Water and a light snack
- A pen and a small notebook for notes
Hands-on practice
Instructors demonstrate each skill, then you practise it on adult and infant manikins, usually in pairs or small groups. Expect to work on chest compressions, rescue breaths with a barrier device, using an AED, and team roles during a resuscitation.
The skills check
Near the end of the class, an instructor watches you perform the skills on the manikin and gives feedback. You also take a short written exam on the key steps. If a skill needs more work, your instructor coaches you through it.
| Duration | About 4 to 5 hours, including skills testing |
|---|---|
| Certification | AHA BLS Provider course completion card, valid for 2 years |
| Who it is for | Healthcare professionals and students who need BLS |
| Next classes | See the Training Schedule |
After class
Once you pass the skills test and the written exam, you receive your AHA BLS Provider card, and our team tells you when and how it will be released. Keep a note of the expiry date so you can book a renewal class in time.
