A Basic Life Support (BLS) certification is a professional credential that demonstrates your ability to perform lifesaving interventions in medical emergencies. According to Worldmetrics.org, over 10 million people in the U.S. get BLS certified in a year. This equips you with the skills to provide high-quality care during cardiac or respiratory emergencies. Now, the question is: how to get BLS certified?
With several options available, you may be confused about how to go ahead with the right choice. In this article, we will walk you through the entire process of getting BLS certified.
What is BLS Certification and Why is it Important?
BLS certification is a course that helps you learn basic life support skills to save the lives of individuals in emergencies. Examples include cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) techniques, automated external defibrillator (AED) usage, and techniques for relieving airway obstructions. As a result, you can respond quickly and efficiently in various medical emergencies to save patients. Here are the additional reasons why a BLS certification is important:
Life-Saving Skills
BLS certification equips you with critical skills that can save lives quickly in emergencies such as heart attacks, drowning, or even choking incidents.
Professional Requirement
Many healthcare and public safety roles require BLS certification as a standard qualification. Some common roles include nurses, doctors, or other healthcare professionals,
Preparedness
You can potentially increase the chances of survival and recovery for the affected individuals through proper treatments.
Confidence and Competence
BLS training and certification provide you with the confidence to handle critical situations, such as cardiac arrests, choking incidents, or drowning, efficiently.
How Does Online BLS Certification Work?
The online BLS certification process combines theoretical knowledge through digital modules. It also includes skill demonstrations to ensure practical readiness. Let’s learn more about its entire flow to know what to expect before enrolling:
Online Coursework
Digital modules are mandatory in a BLS course because they teach you CPR, AED use, choking relief, or team-based resuscitation. The resource material often includes case studies, videos, and quizzes to reinforce understanding.
Skills Assessment
An in-person practical test is mandatory in most cases. You can easily showcase your CPR techniques on a manikin or demonstrate AED handling during this time. This ensures your theoretical knowledge is used even in real-world applications. However, a few providers may also offer virtual simulations or assessments to test your practical skills for online courses.
Certification Validity
You receive a digital BLS certification card valid for two years upon successful completion of the course. Make sure that the certificate is universally recognized across hospitals and academic institutions.
How To Get BLS Certified?
Knowing how to get BLS certified online is a convenient, accessible, and affordable option. It’s mostly beneficial for healthcare professionals and non-industry people. Here’s a quick overview of the steps for your understanding:
Step 1: Select a Reputable Provider
Make sure that the training provider is accredited or recognized by a reputable organization, such as the American Heart Association (AHA) or the American Red Cross. Providers like the American Health Care Academy (AHCA) always offer convenient training options and resources to help you get certified.
Step 2: Register For the BLS Course
Once you have selected a provider that offers BLS courses that are within your budget, register immediately to meet your learning requirements. Most BLS certification providers have made this process simple. In common cases, you must fill out the necessary registration information and receive the materials to complete the certification through your email.
Step 3: Complete the Training Modules
Always enroll in a fully online BLS course that gives you direct access to the materials and modules you need. The training modules usually include video lectures, interactive demonstrations, and downloadable study materials. Follow the curriculum, which covers key topics like CPR techniques, AED usage, and choking management.
Step 4: Pass the Certification Exam
Every BLS certification course will have an assessment or exam. It specifically analyzes what you have learned and allows you to demonstrate your knowledge in key techniques. You must compulsorily pass the exam, which will have a set time limit to complete, so that you earn your BLS certification on time. You can also ask your instructor about specific BLS certification requirements to pass the exam on the first attempt.
Step 5: Receive a Digital BLS Certification Card
You will receive a digital BLS certification card after completing your course and passing the exam. Hence, you will also be eligible to apply to various job opportunities in hospitals, clinics, schools, and other institutions.
Step 6: Renew Certification Every Two Years
A BLS certification is valid only for two years and requires you to recertify before the expiration date. Doing so makes sure that there is no lapse and does not affect your credibility or employment. Sometimes, your employer may also remind you about your certification renewal in certain cases.
Who Needs BLS Certification?
Knowing how to get BLS certified is not enough. You must also know whether your profession requires you to be certified in these key skills and techniques. Usually, there are a number of professions required to be BLS certified, such as:
- Healthcare Providers
- Athletic Coaches
- Daycare Professionals
- Teachers
- Lifeguards
- Firefighters
- Police Officers
- Nursing and Medical Students
- Paramedics/EMS Professionals
- Those working in daycare or schools
- Law enforcement professionals
What Does a BLS Course Include?
Basic Life Support mostly comprises several medical techniques and procedures. It is specifically foundational for healthcare providers and helps sustain life until medical help arrives. That is why, before learning the steps to get BLS certified, you must also know the key topics covered in the certification:
- High Quality CPR for infants, children, and adults
- Single and multi-rescuer resuscitation
- Automated External Defibrillator (AED) training
- Emergency oxygen administration
- The Chain of Survival for cardiac emergencies
- Bleeding control
- Ventilation with a bag valve mask
- Relief from choking
- First aid for shock, burns, poisoning, and broken bones
- Scene safety and situational awareness
- Emergency medical services system overview
Is BLS Recertification Necessary?
A BLS certification is usually valid for two years, meaning you must recertify before the expiration date to maintain your credentials. Recertifying your BLS certification will give you several advantages, such as:
Maintaining Competency
BLS recertification ensures you always stay up-to-date with the latest techniques, guidelines, and best practices in emergency medical care. The ongoing education helps you maintain proficiency in lifesaving skills. It also ensures you remain confident when dealing with critical situations.
Refreshing Skills
Your proficiency in BLS techniques may fade like many other skills. This may happen especially without regular practice. Recertification always allows you to refresh your muscle memory for more accurate and efficient intervention in medical emergencies in the long run.
Staying Current with Guidelines
Medical protocols and guidelines for BLS may evolve or change over time. Most of the time, this happens when new research and evidence emerge in healthcare. Recertification courses allow you to adapt to new rules easily as a learner. They usually incorporate these updates directly across several medical guidelines.
Professional Development
BLS recertification can also contribute to your professional development, particularly if you are a healthcare professional or first responder. It demonstrates your commitment to ongoing learning and improvement. This also opens doors to various job prospects and career opportunities across industries.
Meeting Regulatory Requirements
In various professions, maintaining BLS certification is a requirement for licensure or employment. Recertification ensures that you comply with the regulatory standards. This also allows you to continue working in your chosen field without interruption.
Enhancing Team Preparedness
BLS recertification often involves group training sessions and simulations, which can further promote teamwork and collaboration among responders. By practicing together, teams can easily improve coordination and communication.
Contribution to Public Safety
Recertification courses in BLS showcase your commitment to everyone’s personal and professional safety in your community. When proficiency is maintained well, most individuals are better prepared to assist other people in need.
How to Renew Your BLS Certification?
Make sure to keep track of when your BLS certification expires. To make the process easier, we’ve outlined this step-by-step guide to help you renew your BLS certification on time:
Track the Expiration Date
Check the expiration date on the BLS certification completion card, which was issued to you by your training provider after completing the course. Knowing this timeline or date in advance helps you plan ahead and avoid any lapse.
Choose the Renewal Course
As soon as you identify that your BLS certification is nearing expiration, select your renewal course ahead of time. You will find multiple options, including online (excellent for professionals with busy schedules) and in-person formats (for those who prefer hands-on learning). Choose the format that best fits your learning style and working schedule. Complete the renewal course immediately once you’ve registered for it.
Take the Exam
Complete your BLS renewal course promptly and prepare for the required exam. You must specifically demonstrate your core lifesaving skills, such as CPR and AED use, during your exam. Do not forget to review all the resources and course materials before appearing for your test.
Maintain Your Certification
Make sure to keep your BLS certification current even after renewal. You must always keep an eye on the expiry date of your certificate so that it does not lapse unknowingly. Ensure that the training provider you choose is nationally accredited, so your BLS recertification is accepted by employers.
What Are the Requirements for BLS Renewal?
Renewing a BLS certification on time allows you to maintain your professional qualifications as a healthcare professional or first responder. The renewal process is quite straightforward, but you must also meet the following key requirements:
- A valid, non-expired BLS certification card.
- Completion of the course under a nationally accredited and accepted training provider.
- Demonstration of accurate chest compressions, AED usage, and other life-saving skills during hands-on training.
- Passing an online exam that tests your knowledge of various BLS techniques and procedures.
- Payment of course fees or BLS recertification costs.
Learn How to Become BLS Certified!
Knowing how to get BLS certified is important for anyone who is committed to being prepared for various medical emergencies. By following a structured process, you can easily master the skills associated with basic life support.
This involves enrolling in a recognized and valid course, understanding the key topics, and getting certified after appearing for a skills exam. Enroll in a BLS course to be well-equipped in these skills. The best part is that you can download your certificate instantly and get started with work immediately.
FAQs
1. How long does it take to get BLS certified?
BLS certification typically takes 3–4 hours to complete. Online courses often finish the same day, and digital certificates are usually issued instantly after passing the exam. Physical certification cards typically arrive within 2–3 days if requested.
2. How long does BLS certification last?
The training provider will issue you a BLS certification card once you complete the course and pass your test. This completion card is usually valid for 2 years. The given time period ensures that if health guidelines are changed or updated, your BLS training will be reflective of the same changes to support patient health.
3. How often do I renew my BLS Certification?
Your BLS certification is generally expected to expire after 2 years. Within this time, make sure to renew your certificate to avoid having to retake the initial class. Do this either before the BLS certificate is set to expire or within 30 days of the expiration date. If you wait too long, the training provider will ask you to retake the initial course, which may be more comprehensive than the refresher option.
4. Can I get my BLS certification online?
BLS certification often depends on teaching and testing lifesaving skills that help you monitor a patient’s vital signs to prevent any kind of brain damage and death. That is why most certification programs require at least a portion of the process to be completed physically in person.
