Straight answers on CPR,
first aid, and staying ready.

BLS vs. CPR (with or without First Aid: Which Course Is Actually for You?

If you've started looking into CPR or emergency training, you've probably run into an alphabet soup of course names — BLS, CPR/AED, First Aid, ACLS — and it's not always clear which one you actually need. Some of that comes down to your job. Some of it comes down to what your employer requires. Here's a straightforward breakdown so you can register for the right class the first time.

BLS (Basic Life Support)

Who it's for: Healthcare providers and clinical staff — nurses, EMTs, medical assistants, dental staff, physical therapists, and anyone who might need to respond to a cardiac or respiratory emergency as part of their job.

BLS is the most rigorous of the entry-level courses. It covers high-quality CPR for adults, children, and infants, use of an AED, and team-based resuscitation skills — the kind of scenario where you might be working alongside other trained responders, not just as a lone bystander. If your job requires "BLS certification" by name, this is the one you need; a general CPR/AED card usually won't satisfy that requirement.

Format options: In-person, or a hybrid course (online learning plus an in-person skills check) if you need something that fits around a work schedule.

CPR/AED (and CPR/AED + First Aid)

Who it's for: Non-clinical employees, teachers, coaches, childcare workers, fitness instructors, babysitters, and anyone who wants to be prepared at home or in daily life.

This is the layperson course — built for people who aren't medical professionals but want to know what to do in the minutes before help arrives. It covers adult, child, and infant CPR and AED use, without the added clinical and team-response elements that BLS includes. Adding First Aid to the course rounds it out with choking response, wound care, and handling common injuries — useful if your workplace requires broader emergency readiness, not just CPR.

Good fit if: Your employer asks for "CPR certification" (not specifically BLS), or you just want the skills for personal peace of mind.

Quick way to decide which course you need:

• My employer specifically requires "BLS" → BLS Provider course

• I'm not in healthcare, but need a workplace or certification card → CPR/AED, or CPR/AED + First Aid

• I'm a new or expecting parent → New Parent CPR

• I already have a card and it's expiring → BLS Renewal

Still not sure which class fits your situation? Reach out and we'll help you figure out exactly what you need before you book.