American Red Cross Basic Life Support (BLS) Course

Basic Life Support (5.00 clock hours): 
The BLS course provides participants with the knowledge and skills they need to assess, recognize, and care for patients experiencing respiratory arrest, cardiac arrest, airway obstruction, or opioid overdose. When a patient experiences a life-threatening emergency, healthcare providers need to act swiftly and promptly. The course emphasizes providing high-quality care and integrating psychomotor skills with critical thinking and problem-solving to achieve the best possible patient outcomes.

Target Audience

This activity provides continuing education for physicians, nurses, physician assistants, psychologists, pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, social workers, dentists, dental hygienists, dental technicians, registered dieticians, and dietetic technicians. A certificate of attendance is available for other attendees.

Learning Objectives

  1. Apply concepts of effective teamwork when caring for a patient experiencing a life-threatening emergency.
  2. Integrate communication, critical-thinking and problem-solving skills during a high-performance BLS team response.
  3. Apply a systematic, continuous approach to assess, recognize, and care for adults, children and infants experiencing a life-threatening emergency.
  4. Perform a rapid assessment for responsive and unresponsive adults, children, and infants.
  5. Effectively care for adults, children, and infants in respiratory arrest.
  6. State the principles of high-quality CPR for adults, children, and infants.
  7. Identify BLS differences among adults, children, and infants.
  8. Provide high-quality chest compressions for adults, children, and infants.
  9. Deliver effective ventilations to adults, children and infants using a pocket mask and bag-valve-mask (BVM) resuscitator.
  10. Demonstrate effective use of an automated external defibrillator (AED) for adults, children, and infants.
  11. Provide high-quality BLS care for adults, children, and infants in single- and multiple-provider situations.
  12. Deliver effective abdominal thrusts, back blows and chest thrusts for adults, children, and infants with airway obstruction.
  13. State the principles of care for a patient experiencing an opioid overdose.
Course summary
Available credit: 
  • 5.00 Physician Assistants (AAPA)
    DHA J-7 CEPO has been authorized by the American Academy of Physician Associates (AAPA) to award AAPA Category 1 CME credit for activities planned in accordance with AAPA CME Criteria. This activity is designated for 5.00 hours of AAPA Category 1 CME credits. Approval is valid until Wednesday, December 31, 2025 - 11:59pm ET. PAs should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation.
  • 5.00 ACCME Non-Physician CME Credit
    DHA, J-7, CEPO is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing education. ACCME Non-Physician CME Credit providers will be provided a certificate of participation for educational activities certified for AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™. ACCME Non-Physician CME Credit providers may receive a maximum of 5.00 hours for completing this Course activity.
  • 5.00 Pharmacists (ACPE)
    UAN: JA4008136-0000-25-006-H05-P
    No valid paper/electronic statement of credit will be offered. DHA, J-7, CEPO is accredited by the American Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE) to provide continuing education for Pharmacists. This knowledge based activity will provide a maximum of 5.00 contact hours of pharmacy continuing education credit. Participant CE records will be electronically communicated to CPE Monitor. There is no cost to participate in this activity.
  • 5.00 Pharmacy Technicians (ACPE)
    UAN: JA4008136-0000-25-006-H05-T
    No valid paper/electronic statement of credit will be offered. DHA, J-7, CEPO is accredited by the American Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE) to provide continuing education for Pharmacy Technicians. This knowledge based activity will provide a maximum of 5.00 contact hours of pharmacy continuing education credit. Participant CE records will be electronically communicated to CPE Monitor. There is no cost to participate in this activity.
  • 5.00 Dentists and Allied Dental Staff (ADA CERP)

    DHA, J-7, CEPO is an ADA CERP Recognized Provider. ADA CERP is a service of the American Dental Association to assist dental professionals in identifying quality providers of continuing dental education (CDE). ADA CERP does not approve or endorse individual courses or instructors, nor does it imply acceptance of credit hours by boards of dentistry. Concerns or complaints about a CE provider may be directed to the provider or to the Commission for Continuing Education Provider Recognition at ADA.org/CERP.

    DHA, J-7, CEPO designates this activity for 5.00 continuing education credits

  • 5.00 Physicians (ACCME)

    DHA, J-7, CEPO is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

    DHA, J-7, CEPO designated this Course for a maximum of 5.00 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

  • 5.00 Nurses (ANCC)
    DHA, J-7, CEPO is accredited by the Joint Accreditation/ Interprofessional Continuing Education (IPCE) to provide this Continuing Nursing Education Course for a maximum of 5.00 ANCC contact hours. Nurses should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
  • 5.00 Psychologists (APA)
    Continuing Education (CE) credits for psychologists are provided through the co-sponsorship of the American Psychological Association (APA) Office of Continuing Education in Psychology (CEP). DHA, J7, CEPO maintains responsibility for the content of the programs. DHA, J-7, CEPO designated this activity for a maximum of 5.00 CE credits. The instructional level of this activity is intermediate. There is no cost to participate.
  • 5.00 Social Workers (ASWB)

    As a Jointly Accredited Organization, DHA, J7, CEPO is approved to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Organizations, not individual courses, are approved under this program. Regulatory boards are the final authority on courses accepted for continuing education credit. Social workers completing this course receive 5.00 continuing education credits.

  • 5.00 Certificate of Attendance
  • 5.00 Registered Dietitians and Dietetic Technicians, Registered (CDR)

    DHA, J-7, CEPO is a Continuing Professional Education (CPE) Accredited provider with the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR). CDR Credentialed Practitioners will receive 5.00 Continuing Professional Education units (CPEUs) for completion of this activity/material.

  • 5.00 Interprofessional Continuing Education (IPCE)

    In support of improving patient care, DHA, J-7, CEPO is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the health care team. This activity was planned by and for the healthcare team, and learners will receive 5.00 Interprofessional Continuing Education (IPCE) credits for learning and change.

Course opens: 
01/01/2025
Course expires: 
12/31/2025

DHA, J-7, Military Training Network. Presenter(s) have no financial or non-financial relationships to disclose. All relevant financial relationships have been resolved.

Disclosure: DHA J-7 staff, Planning Committee Members and reviewers have no financial or non-financial interest to disclose. All faculty members have no financial or non-financial interest to disclose.

Available Credit

  • 5.00 Physician Assistants (AAPA)
    DHA J-7 CEPO has been authorized by the American Academy of Physician Associates (AAPA) to award AAPA Category 1 CME credit for activities planned in accordance with AAPA CME Criteria. This activity is designated for 5.00 hours of AAPA Category 1 CME credits. Approval is valid until Wednesday, December 31, 2025 - 11:59pm ET. PAs should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation.
  • 5.00 ACCME Non-Physician CME Credit
    DHA, J-7, CEPO is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing education. ACCME Non-Physician CME Credit providers will be provided a certificate of participation for educational activities certified for AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™. ACCME Non-Physician CME Credit providers may receive a maximum of 5.00 hours for completing this Course activity.
  • 5.00 Pharmacists (ACPE)
    UAN: JA4008136-0000-25-006-H05-P
    No valid paper/electronic statement of credit will be offered. DHA, J-7, CEPO is accredited by the American Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE) to provide continuing education for Pharmacists. This knowledge based activity will provide a maximum of 5.00 contact hours of pharmacy continuing education credit. Participant CE records will be electronically communicated to CPE Monitor. There is no cost to participate in this activity.
  • 5.00 Pharmacy Technicians (ACPE)
    UAN: JA4008136-0000-25-006-H05-T
    No valid paper/electronic statement of credit will be offered. DHA, J-7, CEPO is accredited by the American Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE) to provide continuing education for Pharmacy Technicians. This knowledge based activity will provide a maximum of 5.00 contact hours of pharmacy continuing education credit. Participant CE records will be electronically communicated to CPE Monitor. There is no cost to participate in this activity.
  • 5.00 Dentists and Allied Dental Staff (ADA CERP)

    DHA, J-7, CEPO is an ADA CERP Recognized Provider. ADA CERP is a service of the American Dental Association to assist dental professionals in identifying quality providers of continuing dental education (CDE). ADA CERP does not approve or endorse individual courses or instructors, nor does it imply acceptance of credit hours by boards of dentistry. Concerns or complaints about a CE provider may be directed to the provider or to the Commission for Continuing Education Provider Recognition at ADA.org/CERP.

    DHA, J-7, CEPO designates this activity for 5.00 continuing education credits

  • 5.00 Physicians (ACCME)

    DHA, J-7, CEPO is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

    DHA, J-7, CEPO designated this Course for a maximum of 5.00 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

  • 5.00 Nurses (ANCC)
    DHA, J-7, CEPO is accredited by the Joint Accreditation/ Interprofessional Continuing Education (IPCE) to provide this Continuing Nursing Education Course for a maximum of 5.00 ANCC contact hours. Nurses should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
  • 5.00 Psychologists (APA)
    Continuing Education (CE) credits for psychologists are provided through the co-sponsorship of the American Psychological Association (APA) Office of Continuing Education in Psychology (CEP). DHA, J7, CEPO maintains responsibility for the content of the programs. DHA, J-7, CEPO designated this activity for a maximum of 5.00 CE credits. The instructional level of this activity is intermediate. There is no cost to participate.
  • 5.00 Social Workers (ASWB)

    As a Jointly Accredited Organization, DHA, J7, CEPO is approved to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Organizations, not individual courses, are approved under this program. Regulatory boards are the final authority on courses accepted for continuing education credit. Social workers completing this course receive 5.00 continuing education credits.

  • 5.00 Certificate of Attendance
  • 5.00 Registered Dietitians and Dietetic Technicians, Registered (CDR)

    DHA, J-7, CEPO is a Continuing Professional Education (CPE) Accredited provider with the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR). CDR Credentialed Practitioners will receive 5.00 Continuing Professional Education units (CPEUs) for completion of this activity/material.

  • 5.00 Interprofessional Continuing Education (IPCE)

    In support of improving patient care, DHA, J-7, CEPO is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the health care team. This activity was planned by and for the healthcare team, and learners will receive 5.00 Interprofessional Continuing Education (IPCE) credits for learning and change.

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Access Codes: Some courses require an access code to register. Please reach out to the point of contact at the organization providing the activity for the registration code. The Continuing Education Program Office (CEPO) does not provide access codes.

Accommodations: CEPO provides captions and transcripts to hearing-impaired learners upon request. For real-time closed captioning, contact CEPO at least three (3) business days before the event. If we cannot arrange for live captioning, a video recording and audio transcript will be provided after the event, typically within ten business days. For events delivered by CEPO’s partners, please contact the course instructor to inquire about accommodations.

For more details, or to submit a request, email [email protected].