Basic Life Support (BLS)

Basic Life Support (BLS) training gives healthcare professionals the knowledge, skills and confidence to respond effectively to life-threatening emergencies. Covering emergency assessment, CPR, AED use, choking and the recovery position, this essential training helps nurses, carers and support workers recognise deterioration, act promptly and provide safe, effective care until further medical assistance arrives.

  • Suitable for: Healthcare professionals, carers, support workers, education staff and nursery teams

  • Delivery method: Face-to-face

  • Course length: ½ day

  • Max attendees: 15 delegates

Basic Life Support training

Who is this training for?

This CPD training course is designed for organisations wishing to train 8 or more staff members and can be delivered either face-to-face, or as an online webinar. For further information, please contact us on 02920 494 969 or make an online enquiry.

Course information

Basic Life Support (BLS) training is designed to help healthcare professionals recognise and respond to life-threatening emergencies, including cardiac arrest, respiratory arrest and airway obstruction. The course covers the DR ABCDE approach, recognising abnormal and agonal breathing, effective CPR, rescue breaths, the safe use of Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs), choking management and the recovery position.

Delegates also explore the Chain of Survival and the importance of early recognition, calling for help, CPR and defibrillation. The training includes guidance relevant to adults, children, infants and adolescents, helping staff understand how their response may need to be adapted.

Learning outcomes

By the end of this training, delegates will be able to:

  • Recognise life-threatening emergencies and understand the importance of early intervention.
  • Perform a structured DR ABCDE assessment of a casualty.
  • Recognise when a person is unresponsive and not breathing normally.
  • Identify agonal breathing and understand why it should be treated as cardiac arrest.
  • Summon appropriate emergency assistance and communicate key information to emergency services.
  • Demonstrate effective adult CPR, including appropriate chest compression depth and rate.
  • Understand and demonstrate rescue breathing techniques.
  • Perform compression-only CPR where rescue breaths cannot be provided safely.
  • Safely operate an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) and follow its instructions.
  • Understand the different types of AED and their use in healthcare environments.
  • Recognise and respond appropriately to a choking casualty.
  • Demonstrate the recovery position for an unconscious casualty who is breathing normally.
  • Understand the key differences when performing CPR on infants, children and adolescents.
  • Understand when resuscitation should be continued or stopped.
  • Work within their own professional competence, organisational policies and procedures.

Please note: You must be able to participate in all practical elements (e.g: rescue breaths, chest compressions, recovery position), which require kneeling and working on the floor. 

Delivery methods

Acute Training Solutions strive to deliver an engaging and informative learning experience in a safe and inclusive environment. All of our training courses are delivered by experienced healthcare professionals across the UK. This healthcare training course is available via the following delivery methods:

  • Face-to-face training (½ day): This practical training course can be delivered to a maximum of 15 delegates and can be tailored to meet your organisation's specific needs.

Course FAQs

The course is suitable for healthcare professionals and care staff who may be required to respond to a life-threatening emergency. This includes nurses, healthcare assistants, support workers, allied health professionals and care staff working in settings such as residential care, nursing homes, supported living and community services.

The course covers emergency assessment using DR ABCDE, recognising cardiac arrest and abnormal breathing, CPR, rescue breaths, AED use, choking management and the recovery position. It also covers the Chain of Survival and the importance of early recognition, CPR and defibrillation.

The course is designed around demonstrating the practical principles of Basic Life Support, including CPR, AED use, choking management and the recovery position. Delegates are expected to demonstrate competence in these key skills by the end of the session.

Yes. Safe AED use is a key learning outcome. Delegates learn the basic steps involved in using an AED, including activating the device and following its instructions. The presentation also covers fully and semi-automatic AEDs and the different equipment delegates may encounter in healthcare settings.

The course has been developed in line with Resuscitation Council UK (2025) guidance, as well as guidance and standards from the Royal College of Nursing, NICE and the Care Quality Commission.

Yes. We deliver BLS training nationwide and can provide training at your premises or through alternative delivery methods where appropriate.

Yes. Certificates are provided following successful completion of the course.

Make an enquiry

Acute Training Solutions can provide tailored healthcare training to your organisation or team. To find out more about this course, please contact us on 02920 494 969 or complete the short online form below. A member of our team will be in touch right away.