This course trains participants to promptly recognize several life-threatening emergencies and provide high-quality resuscitation and early use of an AED.  It is designed for healthcare professionals and students whose careers and educational programs require proficiency with performing basic cardiovascular life support skills in a wide variety of in-facility and prehospital settings.  Suggested participants include: physicians; nurses; paramedics; emergency medical technicians; respiratory therapists; physical, occupational and speech therapists; physician assistants; medical or nursing students; aids; medical or nursing assistants; and other allied health personnel. 

This course will teach:

• High-quality CPR for adults, children, and infants
• The AHA Chain of Survival, specifically the BLS components
• Importance of the early use of an AED
• Effective ventilations using a bag-mask device
• Importance of teams in multi-rescuer resuscitations
• Relief of foreign-body airway obstruction (choking) for adults and infants

To successfully complete this course, one must complete all 3 of the following components. Part 1, an online cognitive portion and written exam; Part 2, a hands-on skills practice session where students have the opportunity for one-on-one practice time with an AHA BLS Instructor; and Part 3, a skills testing session. Upon successful completion of all three parts, participants receive their healthcare provider course completion card. Parts 2 and 3 will be completed on your registered date and time at the Tidewater Center for Life Support. 

*Part 1 must be completed prior to your registered date and time; all course participants will be issued a course key code from eLearning.heart.org that will provide access to the Part 1 of HeartCode BLS on the AHA website.  

**If the minimum number of required course participants is not met, a coordinator may reach out to you 2-3 business days prior to class to reschedule your session.

Click here to watch the HeartCode BLS video

The American Heart Association strongly promotes knowledge and proficiency in all AHA courses and has developed instructional materials for this purpose.  Use of these materials in an educational course does not represent course sponsorship by the AHA.  Any fees charged, except for the fees needed for AHA course materials, do not represent income to the AHA.