Resuscitation Council UK Aligned

Basic Life Support Training

Accredited BLS training for healthcare professionals, clinical staff, and anyone requiring a higher standard of resuscitation competence. Delivered on-site or at our UK training centres.

Course overview

Duration
Half Day
Level
Accredited Award
Accreditation
Resuscitation Council UK Aligned
Group size
Up to 12
Delivery
On-site or centre
Renewal
Annual
Starting from

From £65 per person

What is Basic Life Support?

Basic Life Support (BLS) is a structured set of life-saving techniques used to maintain circulation and oxygenation in a casualty who has suffered a cardiac arrest or respiratory emergency. It forms the foundation of emergency response in clinical and healthcare settings, and is a mandatory competency for most healthcare professionals.

Our BLS training is aligned with the latest Resuscitation Council UK guidelines and covers adult CPR, AED use, choking management, and airway adjunct techniques. Courses are delivered by experienced clinical instructors and are suitable for both initial training and annual refresher requirements.

Who is this course for?

BLS training is designed for healthcare professionals and clinical staff who require a higher standard of resuscitation competence than standard workplace first aid. Typical delegates include:

  • Nurses, healthcare assistants, and clinical support workers
  • GPs, dentists, and primary care staff
  • Allied health professionals — physiotherapists, paramedics, radiographers
  • Care home and residential care staff
  • Pharmacy and dispensary staff
  • Occupational health and workplace health teams
  • Any professional requiring annual BLS competency sign-off
Curriculum

What you'll learn

Perform high-quality adult CPR to current Resuscitation Council UK guidelines
Use an automated external defibrillator (AED) safely and effectively
Manage an unconscious casualty and maintain a patent airway
Use basic airway adjuncts including pocket masks and bag-valve-mask (BVM)
Manage choking in adults
Recognise the signs of cardiac arrest and act within the chain of survival
Understand the role of BLS within the wider resuscitation team
Meet annual BLS competency requirements for healthcare settings
Comparison

BLS vs First Aid at Work — what's the difference?

Both qualifications cover CPR and emergency response, but they are designed for different settings and professional requirements.

BLS
First Aid at Work
Duration
Half Day
3 Days
Target audience
Healthcare professionals
All workplace settings
Airway adjuncts (BVM, pocket mask)
Yes
No
Renewal frequency
Annual
Every 3 years
HSE workplace compliance
No
Yes
Clinical competency sign-off
Yes
No

BLS does not replace First Aid at Work for HSE compliance purposes. If you need a qualification that meets the Health and Safety (First Aid) Regulations 1981, you need EFAW or FAW. Contact us if you are unsure which qualification is right for your setting.

Course structure

What to expect on the day

Step 1

Chain of survival

An overview of the chain of survival, the role of BLS, and how early intervention improves outcomes in cardiac arrest.

Step 2

CPR and AED

Hands-on practice of high-quality adult CPR and AED use using manikins and training defibrillators, with instructor feedback on technique.

Step 3

Airway management

Practical use of basic airway adjuncts including pocket masks and bag-valve-mask (BVM) devices.

Step 4

Assessment and sign-off

Practical competency assessment. Certificates and competency sign-off issued on the day to successful delegates.

FAQs

Frequently asked questions

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3 Days

First Aid at Work (FAW)

Comprehensive three-day qualification for higher-risk environments.

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2 Days

Paediatric First Aid

Two-day Ofqual-regulated qualification for those working with children.

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Book BLS training for your team

Get in touch for a no-obligation quote. We'll work around your clinical rota and deliver training at your site with minimal disruption to your team.