Safety Training Seminars
Safety Training Seminars
When it comes to saving lives during a medical emergency, both CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation) and BLS (Basic Life Support) are essential skills—but they serve different purposes and audiences. Understanding the difference can help you decide which certification is right for you or your organization. Safety Training Seminars provides AHA-aligned BLS and CPR courses, including in-person, online, and blended learning options, ensuring participants gain practical skills and recognized certification.
American Heart Association® BLS CPR Classes are designed for healthcare professionals and first responders who need high-quality, hands-on life-saving training. Our courses follow the latest AHA guidelines and focus on real-world skills you can confidently apply in emergency situations. Whether you’re a nurse, doctor, EMT, dental professional, or part of a clinical team, our BLS CPR certification ensures you meet workplace and regulatory requirements.
CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation) is a life-saving technique used when the heart stops beating or cannot circulate blood effectively. CPR involves:
CPR is often the first response in cardiac arrest emergencies and can be performed by anyone, regardless of medical background. It is widely taught to parents, teachers, childcare providers, and fitness instructors as well as healthcare professionals.
BLS (Basic Life Support) is a comprehensive certification designed primarily for healthcare providers and first responders, including nurses, physicians, EMTs, paramedics, and public safety personnel.
BLS training includes everything CPR covers, plus additional life-saving skills:
BLS certification ensures that professionals are prepared to provide advanced support before advanced medical help arrives, and is often required by hospitals, clinics, and EMS organizations.
Feature | CPR Certification | BLS Certification |
Target Audience | General public, non-medical professionals | Healthcare providers, first responders |
Skills Covered | Chest compressions, rescue breaths, AED use | CPR skills + airway management, team resuscitation, advanced emergency interventions |
Patient Types | Adults, sometimes children/infants | Adults, children, infants; all age-appropriate emergency response |
Purpose | Immediate response until help arrives | Comprehensive care in clinical or pre-hospital emergency situations |
Certification Validity | Typically 2 years | 2 years (AHA BLS Provider certification) |
In short, BLS is more comprehensive, while CPR provides basic life-saving skills for immediate action.
Your decision between CPR and BLS depends on your career goals, personal interest, and professional requirements:
Both certifications are recognized, but BLS provides a higher level of training and is necessary for medical professionals.
Safety Training Seminars offers flexible training formats to fit different schedules and learning preferences:
Hands-on, instructor-led sessions combining lectures with practice. Ideal for those who learn best with direct guidance.
Self-paced modules covering theory and basic skills. Perfect for foundational CPR knowledge. Note: skills demonstration may not be included online, so certification may vary.
Combines online coursework with an in-person skills session, allowing participants to practice techniques and earn full AHA certification.
All formats comply with AHA standards and provide two-year certifications.
Both CPR and BLS certifications require recertification every two years to maintain skills and stay compliant with professional requirements. Renewal courses:
Yes. CPR can be performed by anyone with proper training, even without formal BLS certification. However, BLS provides advanced techniques for healthcare professionals.
BLS is more comprehensive than basic CPR, as it covers additional skills like airway management, team resuscitation, and critical thinking during emergencies. Both courses are structured to ensure participants achieve competency.
Consider your career role and employer requirements. If you are a healthcare provider or first responder, BLS certification is recommended. For general safety training or personal preparedness, CPR certification may be sufficient.
Safety Training Seminars offers American Heart Association® BLS, CPR, ACLS, PALS & NRP certification classes across a wide network of locations throughout Northern and Central California. Our training centers make it easy for healthcare professionals, first responders, and workplace teams to find convenient, local BLS CPR classes with flexible scheduling and same-day certification.
We currently provide BLS CPR classes in Alameda, Antioch, Bakersfield, Berkeley – Downtown, Berkeley – Solano, Brentwood, Campbell, Carmichael, Chico, Citrus Heights, Concord – Treat, Concord – Willow Pass, Daly City, Danville, Davis, Dublin, Elk Grove, Fairfield, Folsom, Fremont, Fresno, Hayward, Livermore, Lodi, Los Gatos, Martinez, Millbrae, Milpitas, Modesto, Morgan Hill, Napa, Newark, Oakland – Fruitvale, Oakland – Lake Merritt, Oakland – Piedmont, Palo Alto, Petaluma, Pleasant Hill, Redding, Redwood City, Rocklin, Roseville, Sacramento – Arden, Sacramento – Midtown, Sacramento – Oak Park, Sacramento – Rosemont, San Francisco – Bayshore, San Francisco – Mission Bay, San Francisco – Mission District, San Francisco – Nob Hill, San Francisco – Parnassus/UCSF, San Francisco – Sunset, San Francisco – Telegraph Hill, San Jose – Downtown, San Jose – Japantown, San Jose – South, San Jose – Willow Glen, San Leandro, San Mateo, San Pablo, San Rafael, San Ramon, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, Santa Rosa – Downtown, Santa Rosa – Larkfield-Wikiup, Stockton, Sunnyvale, Tracy, Vacaville, Vallejo, Visalia, Walnut Creek – Downtown, Walnut Creek – Shadelands, and Woodland.
Each location follows the latest AHA guidelines, offering a streamlined format that includes an online course combined with hands-on skills testing. With daily classes, multiple time slots, and convenient neighborhood locations, Safety Training Seminars makes earning or renewing your BLS, CPR, ACLS, PALS & NRP certification Classes simple, efficient, and accessible wherever you’re located.
