BLS stands for Basic Life Support, which generally refers to the type of care that first-responders, healthcare providers, and public safety professionals provide to anyone who is experiencing cardiac or breathing emergencies. BLS training is designed to equip healthcare professionals and other personnel with the skills and knowledge they need to provide immediate life-saving care in emergency situations.

BLS training courses cover essential skills and knowledge needed to provide immediate life-saving care in emergency situations, including single-rescuer, multi-rescuer resuscitation, and effective team basic life support skills for application in both pre-hospital settings and in-facility environments. The American Red Cross and the American Heart Association both offer BLS training courses.

BLS program content includes single-and multiple-responder CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) and AED (automatic external defibrillator) use, as well as how to care for a patient who has an obstructed airway (choking) . The AHAs BLS course trains participants to promptly recognize several life-threatening emergencies, give high-quality chest compressions, deliver appropriate ventilations, and provide early use of an AED.

BLS certification is often required for healthcare professionals, first responders, and individuals in certain job roles, as it teaches the skills needed to provide life-saving assistance in emergency situations. BLS certification courses are designed to develop the critical thinking and problem-solving skills that are necessary for providing BLS care to those in need.