• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to footer
  • All Services
  • Corporate Training
  • Private Sessions
  • At-Home Training
  • AED Purchases
  • News
  • About
  • Contact Us
  • 651-261-2314
HeartCert Logo

HeartCert CPR Training

Training Heroes Everyday in CPR

  • Nursing
  • Classes
    • Nursing Training
    • CPR/AED/First Aid
    • BLS
    • ACLS
    • Trained Medication Administration (TMA)
    • PALS
    • IV Training
    • AED Purchases
    • Partnership and more
  • Group Class
  • Instructor Class
    • Instructor Training Courses
    • Training Center Instructor Alignment Information Page
  • Online Classes
  • Private Sessions

Are BLS and Heartsaver CPR Courses the Same?

News
3 years ago

If you’re considering a CPR training course, whether you’re required to by an employer or simply want to learn how to save a life, you may be confused by the options available to you. What’s the difference between BLS and ACLS? What is PALS? What about Heartsaver?

One of the most common questions we get is in regard to BLS and Heartsaver courses and how they differ. We’ll answer that question here today.

BLS vs. Heartsaver: What’s the Difference?

BLS vs Heartsaver CPR training course
photo credit: @raven-domingo-66737910 accessed 8/3/22 via CC0

What is BLS?

BLS stands for Basic Life Support. In this class, participants learn one and two person CPR skills for adults, children and infants. You will also learn how to clear the airway of a conscious or unconscious person, and how to use an automated external defibrillator (AED).

Another focus of BLS courses is recognizing the signs and symptoms of cardiac arrest and respiratory distress, and how to respond to emergencies and life-threatening symptoms. Because BLS courses are geared toward health care providers and emergency responders, it is expected that participants will, at some point, be called upon to use these skills in an emergency situation.

Find a HeartCert Location Near You

What is Heartsaver?

In comparison, the Heartsaver course is geared toward those who don’t work in a healthcare setting but may be called upon to perform CPR, or who are required to be trained and certified in CPR as a condition of employment. This can include teachers, childcare providers, coaches, parents or caregivers, or anyone who wants to learn CPR.

Heartsaver course participants learn the same basic CPR and first aid skills that are taught in BLS courses, without some of the more advanced techniques included in BLS coursework. You will leave a Heartsaver class knowing how to perform CPR, administer an AED, and do basic first aid. It is a valuable course for anyone, regardless of their employment setting!

If you have questions about which HeartCert CPR course is right for you, contact us today.

HeartCert CPR is your trusted training partner for CPR, ACLS, PALS, EMR, First Aid, CNA, IV, EKG and more.

HeartCert CPR courses include CPR/AED/First Aid, Basic Life Support (BLS), Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS), Certified Nursing Assistant training, IV training, EKG training, babysitter basics and more. Courses and certifications from both the American Heart Association and American Red Cross are available.

We are now offering virtual CPR courses and certifications. We offer safe in-person courses at all HeartCert locations throughout the United States, including our headquarters, HeartCert CPR Eagan.

This is an updated blog post that was originally published in 2014.

Filed Under: News Tagged With: American Heart Association, BLS, CPR Certification, CPR course, CPR training, Heartsaver

Popular Posts

News

The Difference between a BLS and a Heartsaver Course

8 years ago

News

What is the Out-of-Hospital Chain of Survival?

4 years ago

CPR

What’s the Difference Between CPR and First Aid?

10 years ago

Footer

4460 Erin Dr.
Eagan, MN 55122

651-261-2314
info@HeartCertCPR.com
HeartCertCPR.com

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • TikTok
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Resources

  • AED and Product Purchases
  • AED Affiliate Program
  • OSHA Compliance and Fire Extinguisher Services
  • Private Flexible Classes
  • FAQs
  • Partner with HeartCert
  • Instructors! Join our Training Center (TC)
  • HeartCert FREE informational CPR/AED/First Aid and Narcan (opiod overdose) training options!

Stay in Touch

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
Use of American Heart Association materials in an educational course does not represent course sponsorship by the American Heart Association. Any fees charged for such a course, except for a portion of fees needed for AHA course materials, do not represent income to the Association.

Copyright © 2025 HeartCert | EEO/AA Employer | All Rights Reserved | Privacy Policy | Terms of Use | Minneapolis Web Design by BizzyWeb | Log in