BLS vs CPR: Is Basic Life Support the Same as CPR?
At BraveHeart First Aid, many people ask us, “Is Basic Life Support the same as CPR?”
Here is the simple answer: Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR/AED Level C) is a core part of Basic Life Support (BLS), but BLS training expands well beyond it.
The choice between them depends entirely on your role. CPR/AED Level C is for community members, families, and workplace responders. BLS is specifically for healthcare providers who need to work within advanced, team-based protocols. This expert guide will help you to choose the right training path for your needs.
Is Basic Life Support (BLS) the Same as CPR? Key Differences
Both CPR and BLS focus on the immediate actions needed to help someone experiencing sudden cardiac arrest or airway obstruction. However, they're designed for different roles and levels of professional expectation:
CPR/AED Level C Certification: This course focuses on fundamental resuscitation techniques. It teaches you how to perform chest compressions, give rescue breaths, operate an AED, and understand the Chain of Survival. It’s the foundational training for non-healthcare roles, such as parents, teachers, coaches, workplace responders, and community members.
Basic Life Support (BLS) Certification: This level builds on the fundamental CPR skills. It adds critical clinical skills like pulse checks, advanced airway management, bag-valve-mask (BVM) ventilation, multi-rescuer coordination, and adhering to Emergency Cardiovascular Care protocols. This is mandatory training for professionals in a clinical setting.
All of our programs at BraveHeart follow the latest guidelines from the Canadian Red Cross, ensuring you receive training that aligns with modern resuscitation science.
A Quick Note on Names: BLS used to be known as CPR-HCP (Healthcare Provider) in Canada. If your employer or school requires "CPR-HCP," you need to enroll in our BLS certification course.
What Does CPR/AED Level C Training Cover?
CPR/AED Level C is the program we recommend for workplaces, families, teachers, and anyone in the community. It focuses on building the essential, practical skills you can apply decisively to provide immediate help until professional medical services arrive.
Essential skills we teach:
Performing CPR for adults, children, and infants.
Mastering hands-only CPR and full CPR using a barrier device, like a pocket mask.
Using an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) effectively during sudden cardiac arrest.
Responding to and managing choking (obstructed airways) for all ages.
Understanding the steps in the Chain of Survival, from recognizing the event to activating the emergency response system.
All of our comprehensive First Aid courses include the full CPR/AED Level C. It’s also available as a standalone certification.
What Does Basic Life Support (BLS) Training Cover?
Basic Life Support (BLS) is an intensive course we design specifically for healthcare providers. It prepares you to handle critical emergencies in a coordinated, team-based environment at a higher clinical level.
Reminder: If you see CPR-HCP (Healthcare Provider) listed in your job requirements, the current, correct course is BLS.
Beyond CPR/AED Level C, BLS adds skills like:
Performing careful pulse checks and immediate patient assessment.
Advanced airway management and using the bag-valve-mask (BVM) for ventilation.
Executing coordinated two- and multi-rescuer CPR with clear role definition.
Developing effective team communication protocols during cardiovascular emergencies.
Integrating skills tied directly to Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) and Emergency Cardiovascular Care (ECC) standards.
Our BLS courses are strictly in-person because the skills are clinical and hands-on. The course runs efficiently in about four hours (half a day), and when you complete it, you will receive a 1-year Red Cross BLS certification
CPR/AED Level C vs BLS: A Side-by-Side Comparison
Comparing CPR and BLS side by side makes it easier to see how each applies in real situations. This breakdown highlights their audiences, skills, and requirements, helping learners choose the right path for their personal or professional needs.
| Aspect | CPR/AED Level C | Basic Life Support (BLS) |
|---|---|---|
| Audience | Parents, caregivers, teachers, coaches, workplace responders, community volunteers | Healthcare providers: nurses, doctors, paramedics, EMTs, medical students |
| Skills | CPR for all ages, choking response, AED use, rescue breaths | All CPR skills plus pulse checks, BVM ventilation, multi-rescuer CPR, team dynamics |
| Equipment | AED, pocket mask/barrier device | AED, pocket mask, BVM, feedback devices |
| Validity | 3 years | 1 year |
| Old Name | CPR-C / CPR/AED Level C | CPR-HCP (Healthcare Provider) |
Who Needs CPR/AED Level C or BLS in Nova Scotia?
Understanding the requirements in Nova Scotia helps individuals and organizations match the correct certification (CPR or BLS) to their role, whether community-based or professional.
CPR/AED Level C Certification
This certification is the standard level included in our Emergency (Basic) First Aid and Intermediate (Standard) First Aid courses. We recommend it for:
Parents and caregivers
Teachers and coaches
Lifeguards and childcare workers
General workplace responders
BLS Certification
This certification is required for anyone working in a clinical setting and needs annual renewal:
Nurses and Physicians
Paramedics and Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs)
Medical and Nursing Students
Other healthcare professionals in clinical environments
Most Nova Scotia healthcare employers require proof of annual BLS certification. Braveheart First Aid provides Basic and Intermediate First Aid training courses and BLS certification programs tailored to meet these essential needs in our province.
Frequently Asked Questions About CPR and BLS
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CPR-HCP (Healthcare Provider) was the old name for the highest level of CPR training. It has now been officially replaced by Basic Life Support (BLS) certification. If your employer requires CPR-HCP, you must take the BLS course.
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CPR/AED Level C is typically valid for 3 years. BLS certification, which is required for healthcare professionals, is valid for 1 year and must be recertified annually.
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No. BLS is an in-person, skill-based course only. Due to the high-stakes clinical skills taught (like bag-valve-mask ventilation and multi-rescuer CPR), online or blended formats are not available for BLS.
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If you are a healthcare provider (nurse, paramedic, medical student, etc.) working in a clinical setting in Nova Scotia, then yes, BLS is required. If you are a lay responder, teacher, or workplace first aider, CPR/AED Level C is usually the correct and sufficient certification.
Why Choose BraveHeart First Aid?
When you invest your time in learning these skills, we believe you deserve genuine preparation and certification that holds practical value. At BraveHeart First Aid, we focus on real learning, practical confidence, and recognized credentials across Nova Scotia.
Hands-on, Practical Learning: Our sessions emphasize repeated practice and scenario-based training that helps you build instinctive confidence, not just course notes.
Recognized Credentials: You receive Canadian Red Cross certificates that employers trust—from clinics to schools and workplaces across the province.
Instructors With Real Experience: Our trainers bring backgrounds in healthcare and emergency response (including paramedics). They give you insights grounded in actual situations, not just textbook theory.
Flexible CPR Options: We tailor our instruction to your pace, offering blended and in-person training for CPR/AED Level C and First Aid.
Focused BLS Training: We provide intensive, in-person skills practice that is essential for coordinating as a clinical team.