BLS Renewal Guide: Key Steps to Maintain Your Certification

Basic Life Support, BLS, is a type of certification that shows you know what to do to help save someone’s life. Those who participate in this type of education and eventual certification have the tools they need to provide life-saving treatment to people who are often in critical parts of their lives. Those who obtain BLS certification will also need to seek out BLS renewal over time, ensuring they continue to maintain the skills necessary to provide care to a person in a life-threatening condition.

BLS teaches a single rescuer or a team of rescuers how to provide basic life support skills in and out of a hospital setting. This course specifically focuses on:

• Recognizing life-threatening emergencies
• Providing high-quality and effective chest compressions
• Delivering appropriate ventilations and treatment, including the use of AEDs

BLS certification trains individuals to handle emergencies for infants, children, and adults. BLS online certification, as well as BLS certification renewal, can be completed online at Advanced Medical Certification. BLS renewal is the process of recertifying your skills in this area.

When Do You Need to Get BLS Renewal?

BLS recertification requires that all those who wish to maintain their BLS certification obtain additional education every two years. If you still have valid credentials (which means they must be at least 30 days or longer from expiring), taking a BLS renewal certification course online can help you maintain your certification.

Many employers require that those with a BLS maintain that certification throughout their careers. BLS renewal makes it possible for you to do that.

Consider how BLS recertification works:

To renew your BLS certification, you will need to register for a BLS course from an approved provider, such as the company Advanced Medical Certification. You will work through BLS renewal courses and guides to help you update your knowledge or refresh the skills you have. Once you complete your education, you can apply for AHA BLS renewal. That will give you another two years in which your credentials are maintained.

What will you learn in BLS renewal courses?

One of the most important factors for many people to consider is what they will learn when taking BLS recertification courses. The fact is, many people use these skills as a part of their day-to-day job, and additional education may not seem necessary. However, BLS renewal is a requirement, and that means you should brush up on your skills with a course.

During BLS renewal training, you may cover a variety of elements of the BLS emergency treatment process. The difference between BLS certification and BLS recertification can include many specific factors.

The most important is the level of education and training the person has. When you take a renewal course, you can advance your knowledge beyond what BLS certification typically offers. You already have your BLS card and are providing care within the scope of your day-to-day job. With renewal, you may be able to obtain additional education and support.

There are a few more important things to know about the BLS online recertification process:

• The topics covered in BLS renewal and BLS certification are typically the same. What differs is the structure and the depth of the course content.
• BLS recertifications are a shorter, more specific type of education and usually can be completed in less time.
• Your BLS renewal courses will include any updated information and skills. This includes any new guidelines to follow, new techniques or changes to the protocol, and any new procedures to enhance your skills.
• You will have coverage of all essential topics in the BLS. If there is any area you need help with, this is one way to sharpen your skills.
• You can and should ask questions and get the information you need to do well. The good news is that with BLS renewal online, you still have access to instructors who can help you through clarification of topics or for other needs.

What Is Covered in BLS Certification and Recertification?

BLS online recertification is an opportunity to further your education and skills. The following are some of the most common components of the BLS renewal and initial educational courses:

• CPR and AED introduction information, including what they are and the evolution of these techniques
• BLS techniques, including hand placement and compression methods, rescue breaths, and ventilation
• Skills in recognizing the signs of cardiac arrest
• Adult, Child, and Infant CPR training
• AED operation, including when and how to take action
• Choking response
• Scene assessment and safety
• Emergency response protocols
• Ventilation with a barrier device
• Legal and ethical considerations

Top Benefits of BLS Renewal

For many people, BLS certification renewal is not an option. You may have to do so to maintain your job or to qualify for specific programs or types of volunteer work. There are several benefits, though, of completing your AHA BLS renewal:

Improved education: 

Even if you do not work in medical response situations, such as hospitals or as an EMS individual, being able to react to an emergency you see occurring can save lives.

Enhance your skills: 

Renewal allows you to improve your skills. If you already have BLS skills, but may not be confident in your skills or you may be unsure of what type of procedures and techniques to use, BLS renewal can help you get that information.

Refresh skills you may not be using: 

BLS renewal online allows you to not only gain additional skills but also refresh the skills you already have. For many people who do not use these life-saving skills daily, it is easy to forget some of the topics or become unsure of the steps to take. This refresher gets you back on track.

You may be required to do so: 

Most people who work in medical care, such as in a hospital or doctor’s office, will need to have skills to save a person’s life. If your employer or medical license requires you to maintain these certifications, know that you will need to renew them over time.

Build confidence: 

Knowledge is important to saving a person’s life, but it is also critical for individuals to have confidence in their abilities. With renewal, you gain additional knowledge and refresh the old, all of which can help you prepare for any type of event that happens. That boost of confidence could make a huge difference to others.

It’s a very good thing to get BLS online renewal taken care of now. When you do, you maintain your BLS certification in the long term. You also maintain those critical, life-saving skills you need.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many CEUs is BLS renewal?

Continuing education units (CEUs) are a critical component of education for those who are providing life-saving measures. To renew your BLS, you will need to complete a set number of CEUs. However, the number of CEUs required depends on the specific organization that is requiring your renewal. The Postgraduate Institute for Medicine designates this enduring material for a maximum of 4 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

I’m a nurse. Why do I need to renew these skills?

Those working in a critical care situation may have a one-on-one experience with cardiac arrest and a patient who may not be breathing. However, studies indicate that even nurses need to continuously learn and refresh their skills to provide individuals with excellent care in an emergency. In short, even if you know what you are doing, there could be additional elements to learn or perfect.

How do you choose a provider for renewal of your BLS?

One of the best things about the renewal of your BLS is that you can complete the process online, which means you do not have to worry about too much time spent on the process. However, you need to choose a recognized provider, and, most importantly, you need to verify their credibility. When choosing an organization for BLS training or recertification, there are several factors to keep in mind:

• The program should be accepted by your employer or other required provider, and in some cases, it should be internationally recognized and accepted.
• Ensure the program adheres to ILCOR Standards and Guidelines. It should be updated to reflect the most recent changes.
• Ensure that the program is Joint Commission (JCAHO) compliant.

In addition to these requirements, it also helps to verify the details of the program including the length of time it takes to complete as well as if it is 100% online or not. You also want to be sure you are learning what you need to benefit from this program. To do that, you must have access to the most up-to-date education delivered effectively.

Does BLS renew programs require skills training?

Not all certification programs require a skills session. However, if you need to find one to attend, you can set up a webinar to obtain the education and hands-on information you need.

What happens if your BLS expires?

BLS cards are valid for two years. You are required to obtain a new certification within that timeframe. If your certification is 30 days or longer from expiration, you will need to take a BLS course, a type of review course. You will then need to get recertified. This will provide you with another two years of certification.

What is the difference between BCLS and BLS certifications?

BLS certification is provided to those who complete their basic life support training, which means you will gain skills to respond to an emergency situation. BCLS training is specific steps and procedures to take to provide cardiac care in an emergency situation. In fact, there is no real difference between the two programs, but BCLS is more specifically designed to adhere to those who have the need to focus specifically on cardiac care.

How to Get BLS Renewal and Recertification Online

At SaveALife.com, you gain access to the information and resources you need to obtain the renewal you desire. The programs from Save a Life offer a variety of benefits:

• It is available to you at any time and anywhere. It is 100% available fully online, which means you do not have to go anywhere to get the education or hands-on training you need.
• You gain instant feedback. That means you are able to learn and get the help you need to perfect your skills.
• Once you complete the program, you gain instant proof of certification. That means that if your certification may be expiring soon, this is a fast and easy way to get it taken care of right away.
• You will have access to a BLS PDF provider handbook that contains all of the information and resources that you need to complete the process.
• Get unlimited retakes of the test so that you can continue to improve your skills. You can also stop at any time and then continue later if you need to do so, which is often important for those working in the field.
• You can use it on both mobile and tablet platforms, which makes it very easy for you to get the information and training you need anywhere.

With Save a Life, recertification provides you with up to two continuing medical education hours. That means you do not have to worry about not getting the time you need taken care of to maintain your certifications.

Sign up now and get started on your renewal of your BLS online. It only takes a few minutes to get the process started.

Is there a difference in the forms of BLS training?

Depending on what type of work you do or those who you are around, you may want to ensure you are getting a very specific education. That includes training for infants or pediatric patients if you are likely to work with those individuals.

Does my occupation require me to have a BLS?

You should always speak to your employer about the specific education and training, as well as the certifications they require you to maintain. Those who are likely to need renewal of BLS include:

• Nurses (RNs)
• Doctors (MDs)
• CNAs
• CRNAs
• Nurse Practitioners (NPs)
• Physician Assistants (PAs)
• Certified Clinical Medical Assistants
• Pharmacists
• Osteopaths (DOs)
• Dentists/Dental Hygienists
• Home Care Providers
• Daycare providers/Caregivers
• Students

Explore the Opportunities Available to You Now

Save a Life can help you meet all of the requirements of BLS online renewal. Take a closer look at our program options or learn how to sign up for your courses and exams now. With a passion for providing our clients with exceptional insights and the most efficient way to maximize their education, training, and skills, we help you achieve success. NHCPS empowers health care workers with flexible, authoritative, and efficient learning solutions to meet compliance requirements.