What Is a BLS Certificate?

BLS, or basic life support, is a level of medical care that is used for patients until full medical care can be administered. While first responders, like firefighters and law enforcement officers, are in most cases required to have BLS certification, child care providers and security guards find BLS useful.

What is BLS?

• BLS stands for basic life support, which is a set of life-saving techniques that can be used to treat cardiac arrest, choking or drowning victims in the pre-hospital stage.

History

• In 1954, Dr. James Elam demonstrated how cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) was a solid technique for treating cardiac arrest; CPR is an important skill in BLS.

Becoming BLS Certified

• The American Red Cross and the American Heart Association both have a list of locations where you can go to get BLS Certified. Visit redcross.org or americanheart.org for more information.

Easy to Learn

• Although we usually see BLS performed by health care professionals such as emergency medical technicians (EMTs), most people can administer BLS after a short class.

Effectiveness of BLS

• According to Steve Quincey, a BLS Instructor and educator, CPR provided immediately after cardiac arrest can double a victim's survival rate. Knowing BLS techniques can save the life of a stranger or someone you know.