What Is American Heart Association BLS Certification?

The American Heart Association offers a variety of classes so you can earn your certification in basic life support or BLS.

BLS Certification

• The American Heart Association gives BLS classes so you can learn lifesaving skills. When you complete a basic life support class, you will get your certification.

Why Get Certified

• You may want to take a class to learn these skills, or your employer may require that you have your certification.

Types of Classes

• The American Heart Association gives classes for healthcare professionals, your place of work or for the general community. They also offer online and self-study classes.

What You Learn

• In a BLS class you learn how to assess and react in emergency situations. You will learn how to clear an airway of someone that is choking. You also learn how to dislodge obstructions that someone may be choking on. You will learn how to perform rescue breathing and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).

Dates of Classes

• You can find a class near you by going to the American Heart Association's website. You can locate classes by entering your address information, and you can register online.