BLS (Basic Life Support) Course
Irish Heart Foundation certified Basic Life Support training for healthcare professionals. CPR, AED use, and choking relief for all ages. On-site delivery across Ireland. Certificate valid 2 years.
Book Your BLS Course
Public course dates available throughout Ireland. Or request on-site training delivered at your premises — ideal for healthcare facilities and nursing homes.
Course Overview
The BLS (Basic Life Support) Course from Phoenix STS is endorsed by the Irish Heart Foundation and aligned with American Heart Association standards. This 4-hour instructor-led course teaches essential life-saving skills including high-quality CPR, AED use, and choking relief for adults, children, and infants. Using the proven Practice-While-Watching method, our certified BLS instructors provide real-time feedback and guidance throughout the course. With a maximum of 6 learners per session in line with Irish Heart Foundation guidelines, every participant receives personalised attention and ample hands-on practice time to build confidence and competence in emergency response.
Who Should Attend
The BLS Course is designed for healthcare professionals and care workers who may need to respond to cardiac emergencies.
Medical Professionals
Physicians, medical students, general practitioners, dentists, paramedics, and EMTs requiring certified basic life support skills.
Nursing Staff
Clinical nurse managers, staff nurses, nursing students, and care assistants working in hospital, community, and residential care settings.
Allied Health Professionals
Respiratory therapists, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, and cardiac technicians who may encounter cardiac emergencies.
Care Settings Staff
Nursing home staff, residential care workers, cardiac rehabilitation staff, and community healthcare workers across Ireland.
Topics Covered
High-Quality CPR
- Key changes in Basic Life Support
- Critical concepts of high-quality CPR
- American Heart Association Chain of Survival
- Differences between adult, child, and infant techniques
1-Rescuer Scenarios
- 1-Rescuer CPR for adults
- 1-Rescuer CPR for children
- 1-Rescuer CPR for infants
- AED use in single-rescuer situations
2-Rescuer Scenarios
- 2-Rescuer CPR and AED for adults
- 2-Rescuer CPR and AED for children
- 2-Rescuer CPR and AED for infants
- Team dynamics and communication
Advanced Techniques
- Bag-mask techniques for all ages
- Rescue breathing for adults, children, and infants
- Relief of choking for all ages
- CPR with an advanced airway
Course Details
Classroom Course
- Duration: 4 hours including practical exercises
- Maximum 6 learners per course
- On-site delivery at your premises anywhere in Ireland
- Practice-While-Watching video-based method
Blended Learning Option
- Online theory component completed at your own pace
- Up to 3 × 2-hour practical skills sessions
- Maximum 6 learners per practical session
- Flexible scheduling options for busy professionals
Learn more about our BLS Blended Learning Course.
Training Methods
- Video-based instruction with simultaneous practice
- Hands-on manikin practice for all age groups
- Real-time tutor feedback and guidance
- Scenario-based learning and assessment
Venue Requirements
- Suitable training area with adequate space
- Compliance with current health and safety guidelines
- Space for practical exercises and manikin use
- Access to power supply for AV equipment
Why Choose This BLS Course
What sets the Phoenix STS BLS training programme apart from other providers.
Irish Heart Foundation Endorsed
Certified by the Irish Heart Foundation and aligned with American Heart Association standards for internationally recognised BLS certification.
Practice-While-Watching Method
Innovative video-based training technique proven effective for skill acquisition. Learn and practise simultaneously with real-time instructor guidance.
Real-Time Instructor Feedback
Tutors closely monitor learners throughout, offering immediate feedback and guidance to ensure CPR skills are properly learned and executed.
Small Class Sizes
Maximum 6 learners per course in line with Irish Heart Foundation guidelines. Personalised attention and ample hands-on practice for every participant.
International Recognition
Your BLS certification is recognised internationally — valuable for healthcare professionals working across different countries and healthcare settings.
Blended Learning Option
Flexible blended training option available, combining online theory with practical skills sessions for busy healthcare professionals.
What’s Included
Your BLS course fee includes everything you need for full certification:
- Irish Heart Foundation / American Heart Association course materials
- Official credit card-sized BLS certification card (valid 2 years)
- Internationally recognised qualification aligned with AHA standards
- Practice-While-Watching video-based training with ZOLL AED 3 defibrillators
- Hands-on manikin practice covering adults, children, and infants
- Real-time instructor feedback throughout all practical exercises
- Practical scenario assessment and 25-question knowledge test
- Post-course email support from your BLS instructor
- Renewal reminder service before your certification expires
- Digital course completion record for your CPD portfolio
What You’ll Learn
Upon successful completion of the BLS course, you will be able to:
- Recognise cardiac arrest and respond immediately to sudden cardiac emergencies
- Perform high-quality CPR with effective chest compressions and ventilations for adults, children, and infants
- Use an AED safely and effectively in both 1-rescuer and 2-rescuer scenarios
- Work as part of a team performing 2-rescuer CPR with effective communication and coordination
- Provide bag-mask ventilation correctly for patients of all ages
- Relieve choking in adults, children, and infants using appropriate techniques
- Deliver rescue breathing for patients with a pulse but inadequate breathing
- Support advanced airways by performing CPR when an advanced airway is in place
Before Attending
To attend this BLS course, learners should meet the following requirements:
- Fluency in English is required for effective participation
- Physically fit enough to carry out chest compressions on a manikin while kneeling
- Suitable clothing for practical training activities
- No previous BLS or CPR training is required — the course teaches all necessary skills from the beginning
Assessment
Assessment consists of two components to confirm competency:
- Practical scenario assessment — demonstrate your CPR and life-saving skills
- 25 multiple-choice questions testing theoretical knowledge
- Skills demonstration with real-time instructor feedback
- Immediate results provided on completion of both components
Certification & Instructors
Your Certification
Upon successful completion, you receive an Irish Heart Foundation / American Heart Association credit card-sized BLS certification card. This internationally recognised certification is valid for 2 years. We recommend scheduling your renewal before your certificate expires to ensure continuous certification.
Our Instructors
Our tutors are certified Basic Life Support instructors with the Irish Heart Foundation. They possess comprehensive qualifications and skills that enable them to deliver high-quality BLS training with real-time feedback and guidance. All instruction is delivered using ZOLL AED 3 defibrillators — the same devices increasingly deployed across healthcare settings in Ireland.
Secure Your Place Today
Places are limited to 6 per course in line with Irish Heart Foundation guidelines. Secure your place today to avoid disappointment. Public course dates fill quickly.
Over 15 years’ experience delivering accredited BLS training. Trusted by healthcare facilities, nursing homes, and hospitals across Ireland.
Frequently Asked Questions
Content last reviewed: March 2026. This page is regularly updated to reflect changes in Irish, UK, and EU legislation and standards.
BLS (Basic Life Support) is specifically focused on life-threatening emergencies such as cardiac arrest, respiratory failure, and choking. It covers high-quality CPR, AED use, and rescue breathing. First aid training is broader and covers a wider range of injuries and illnesses including wounds, burns, fractures, and medical emergencies. BLS is typically required for healthcare professionals, while first aid is suitable for the general public.
Your BLS certification is valid for 2 years from the date of completion. After this period, you will need to complete a renewal course to maintain your certification. We recommend scheduling your renewal before your certificate expires to ensure continuous certification.
Yes. The course is certified by the Irish Heart Foundation and aligned with American Heart Association standards. This means your certification is recognised internationally, which is valuable if you work in different countries or healthcare settings that require AHA-aligned training.
Practice-While-Watching is a video-based training technique where learners watch instructional videos and simultaneously practise the skills being demonstrated. This method has been proven effective for skill acquisition as it allows immediate application of techniques while receiving real-time feedback from instructors.
The maximum of 6 learners per course is set in accordance with Irish Heart Foundation guidelines. This small class size ensures each participant receives adequate hands-on practice time, individual attention from instructors, and meaningful feedback on their technique.
Yes. We deliver BLS training on-site at your premises across Ireland. You will need to provide a suitable training area that meets current health and safety guidelines. This is ideal for healthcare facilities, nursing homes, and organisations with multiple staff requiring certification. Contact us to arrange on-site training.
The blended learning option combines online theory learning with practical skills sessions. You complete the theoretical component online at your own pace, then attend up to three 2-hour practical sessions to demonstrate your skills. This option offers more flexibility for busy healthcare professionals. Learn more about our BLS Blended Learning Course .
Assessment consists of two components: a practical scenario where you demonstrate your CPR and life-saving skills, and 25 multiple-choice questions testing your theoretical knowledge. Instructors provide guidance throughout and offer feedback to help you succeed.
No previous BLS or CPR training is required. The course is designed to teach all the necessary skills from the beginning. However, you should be physically capable of performing chest compressions on a manikin while kneeling.
While specific requirements vary by employer and setting, BLS certification is typically required or strongly recommended for healthcare professionals who may need to respond to cardiac emergencies. Many healthcare facilities, nursing homes, and hospitals require staff to maintain current BLS certification as part of their employment conditions.
Compare Our BLS Course Options
BLS Classroom Course
Our standard instructor-led BLS course, delivered entirely on-site at your premises.
- Duration: 4 hours (single session)
- Maximum 6 learners per course
- All theory and practical in one session
- On-site at your premises across Ireland
- Certification: IHF / AHA (2 years)
- Ideal for: Teams who can dedicate a half-day to training
BLS Blended Learning Course
Our flexible option combining online theory with practical skills sessions.
- Online theory completed at your own pace
- Up to 3 × 2-hour practical sessions
- Maximum 6 learners per practical session
- Flexible scheduling for busy professionals
- Certification: IHF / AHA (2 years)
- Ideal for: Individuals or staff with limited availability
BLS Training Available Nationwide Across Ireland
Phoenix STS delivers BLS (Basic Life Support) training on-site at your premises anywhere in Ireland. We regularly provide BLS courses in Dublin, Cork, Galway, Limerick, Waterford, Kilkenny, Athlone, Sligo, Dundalk, Longford, and all counties across Ireland. Our public BLS courses are held at venues throughout the country — view upcoming dates and locations.
Whether you are a hospital, nursing home, GP practice, dental surgery, or community healthcare provider, we bring accredited BLS training directly to your team. Contact us to arrange on-site BLS training at your premises, or book a public course date online.
Related Courses and Services
Explore our other first aid and healthcare training courses:
- BLS Blended Learning Course (Online + Practical) — flexible option with online theory and practical sessions
- First-Aid & Heartsaver AED Course — comprehensive first aid training with CPR and AED for non-healthcare staff
- HeartSaver AED Course — AED training and CPR for workplaces, schools, and community groups
- HeartSaver CPR Course — CPR-focused training for the general public and workplace first responders
- Paediatric First Aid Course — specialist first aid training for those working with children
- Manual Handling Course — essential manual handling training for healthcare and workplace settings
Why Choose Phoenix STS
Ireland’s trusted provider of CPD-accredited safety and healthcare training.
Experienced Team
Over 15 years delivering accredited training to healthcare facilities, schools, and businesses across Ireland. Our BLS instructors are IHF-certified professionals with real-world emergency response expertise.
Irish Owned
A proudly Irish-owned company based in Longford, serving clients nationwide. Our BLS courses meet Irish Heart Foundation requirements and are aligned with international AHA standards.
Experts in Healthcare Training
ISO 45001:2018 and ISO 9001:2015 certified. CPD-accredited training provider (No. 22657). All courses meet HIQA, HSA, and relevant Irish legislative requirements.