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What Certifications Do I Need to Instruct an EMT in CPR and BLS?

EMTs provide a vital community function. The quality of the training they receive directly reflects upon the type of EMT they will be in the field. To teach any disciple is an awesome responsibility, but to instruct someone how to save a life requires the instructor to be experienced and knowledgeable. CPR and basic life support, or BLS, are foundational skills for an EMT.

  1. Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation

    • CPR can be taught to just about anyone.

      CPR classes have been taught by the Red Cross and American Heart Association for decades. CPR classes for EMTs are usually taught under the guidelines of the American Heart Association. Teaching these skills to an EMT requires a CPR Instructor certification. Once a person is certified as a CPR/BLS provider, he may then request to take the instructor course.

    Basic Life Support (BLS)

    • BLS is taught to health care providers.

      BLS incorporates all of CPR plus other procedures to give a victim the best chance for survival. Along with adult, child and infant CPR, BLS also teaches choking relief, special airways, and the use of an automatic external defibrillator. BLS is taught to health care providers, doctors, nurses, EMTs and support personnel.

    Instructor Certification

    • AHA Training Centers are hospital-affiliated.

      Gaining instructor certification is done in four parts. The candidate must first find an AHA Training Center that is accepting new instructors. The training center is usually hospital-affiliated. They the candidate must pass the Core Instructor Course and a discipline-specific instructor course in BLS, advanced cardiac life support, pediatric advanced life support or Heartsaver. The final step is to be observed teaching by another instructor.

    Epilogue

    • Instructor candidates have their own course work to complete.

      Unless a training center has adopted other criteria, teaching CPR/BLS to EMTs only requires AHA BLS instructor certification. Once a candidate is accepted by a training center, course work must be completed and passed before he is permitted to instruct others. Once all the course work has been completed, he will then be observed teaching before being permitted to teach on his own.

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