BLS Guides Directory: Every Question About BLS Courses in the UAE

This is the index of everything we have written about the BLS course — from how to book and what the certificate is, to how each BLS skill works. Every guide links back to the BLS course page, where the live dates and booking form are.

Where to start

New to BLS? Start with what is BLS, the course syllabus and how to prepare. Renewing? Go to BLS renewal and the BLS exam. Booking for a team? See on-site BLS training.

All BLS guides by topic

Getting started (9)

What Is BLS (Basic Life Support)? — What BLS stands for, what Basic Life Support training covers, who needs it and how it differs from first aid. A plain-English guide from an AHA centre.
BLS Course Fees in the UAE — What a BLS course fee in the UAE actually covers, what makes the price go up or down, and how to get a written quote for an individual or a whole department.
BLS Course Syllabus: What the AHA BLS Course Covers — The AHA BLS course syllabus, topic by topic: chain of survival, adult, child and infant CPR, AED, ventilation, choking and team dynamics.
How Long Is a BLS Course? BLS Course Duration Explained — How long a BLS course takes in Abu Dhabi: classroom BLS, the HeartCode online part and skills session, renewals, and how to plan the day around your shifts.
BLS Course Requirements: Who Can Take BLS and What You Need — BLS course requirements in Abu Dhabi: no prior qualification needed, who the course is designed for, physical requirements, what to bring and how to register.
BLS Course for Beginners: What Your First BLS Certification Is Like — Taking BLS for the first time? What your first BLS course is like, which format suits beginners and how hard the skills and test really are.
How to Prepare for a BLS Course: A Practical Checklist — How to prepare for your BLS course in Abu Dhabi: what to read, wear and bring, finishing HeartCode, and the skills that need extra practice.
How to Book a BLS Course in Abu Dhabi, Step by Step — How to book a BLS course with SFMS in Abu Dhabi: choosing a date online, confirmation, payment by card link or at the centre, group bookings and rescheduling.
Same-Day BLS Certification: Can You Get Certified in One Day? — Can you get BLS certified in one day in Abu Dhabi? How single-visit BLS works, when the AHA eCard is issued and why instant certificates fail.

Course formats (4)

Online BLS: How HeartCode Blended Learning Works — How AHA HeartCode blended BLS works, why a hands-on skills session is still required, and why fully online BLS certificates are rejected in the UAE.
Classroom BLS Course in Abu Dhabi: Instructor-Led AHA BLS — Classroom BLS at our Abu Dhabi centre: an instructor-led AHA BLS course with teaching, practice and testing in one visit, and who it suits.
On-Site BLS Training for Hospitals, Clinics and Companies — On-site group BLS training anywhere in the UAE: we bring AHA instructors, manikins and AED trainers to your hospital, clinic or office and certify your team.
RQI for BLS: Resuscitation Quality Improvement Explained — What the AHA RQI programme is, how its short, frequent skills sessions differ from a two-year BLS course, and when a hospital should consider it.

Certification, exam and renewal (6)

BLS Renewal and Recertification — When to renew a BLS card, what happens if it has already expired, and how to recertify in Abu Dhabi. AHA BLS renewal in classroom or HeartCode blended format.
BLS for DOH, DHA and MOH Licensing — Which UAE health authority expects Basic Life Support, why AHA BLS is the certification employers ask for, and how to make sure your card will be accepted.
BLS Certificate in the UAE: The AHA BLS Provider eCard Explained — What a BLS certificate is, what the AHA BLS Provider eCard shows, how long it is valid in the UAE and how employers verify it. From an AHA centre.
BLS Exam and Skills Test: The Pass Mark and What to Expect — The AHA BLS test explained: the written exam and its 84% pass mark, the adult and infant CPR skills tests, what instructors look for and how to prepare.
BLS Practice Questions With Answers — Free BLS practice questions with answers and explanations: compression rate and depth, ratios, pulse checks, AED, rescue breathing and choking relief.
AHA BLS vs Other BLS Certifications: Which Is Accepted in the UAE? — AHA BLS compared with ASHI, American Red Cross and ERC courses, and which BLS certification UAE hospitals and regulators usually accept.

BLS by profession (6)

BLS for Nurses in the UAE — Why nurses in the UAE need a current AHA BLS card, what the course covers for nursing practice, and how to certify or renew around a shift roster.
BLS for Doctors, Dentists and Pharmacists in the UAE — BLS certification for doctors, dentists, dental assistants and pharmacists in Abu Dhabi and the UAE: when it is required and which course to book.
BLS for Paramedics, EMTs and Ambulance Crews — BLS for paramedics, EMTs and ambulance crews in the UAE: why BLS is the base of pre-hospital care and how it fits with ACLS and PALS.
BLS for Physiotherapists, Radiographers and Allied Health Staff — BLS for allied health staff in the UAE: physiotherapists, radiographers, lab staff and therapists, and why facilities require it.
BLS for Medical, Nursing and Allied Health Students — BLS for medical, nursing and allied health students in the UAE: why placements require it, when to take it and how to keep it current.
BLS for Caregivers and Home Healthcare Staff — BLS certification for caregivers, home healthcare nurses and assistants in the UAE: why home-care providers require it, and BLS vs first aid for caregivers.

BLS skills explained (10)

The BLS Algorithm Explained: Adult, Child and Infant Steps — The BLS algorithm in plain steps: scene safety, checking breathing and pulse, compressions, breaths, AED use and the adult, child and infant differences.
The Chain of Survival Explained: In and Out of Hospital — The AHA chain of survival for in-hospital and out-of-hospital cardiac arrest, link by link, and why BLS focuses on recognition, CPR and early defibrillation.
BLS Pulse Check: Where to Check, How Long, and What Comes Next — How to check breathing and pulse in BLS: carotid, femoral and brachial sites, the 10-second limit, agonal gasping, and what to do with or without a pulse.
CPR Compression Rate and Depth: What High-Quality BLS Means — High-quality CPR in BLS: compression rate of 100 to 120, depth for adults, children and infants, hand position, full recoil and minimising interruptions.
Infant and Child BLS: CPR Steps, Ratios and Techniques — Child and infant BLS explained: when to start CPR, compression depth and technique, 30:2 and 15:2 ratios, rescue breathing rates and when to call for help.
Two-Rescuer BLS: Roles, Ratios and Switching Compressors — Two-rescuer BLS explained: dividing compressions and ventilation, 30:2 and 15:2 ratios, switching every 2 minutes, and using the AED without long pauses.
Bag-Mask Ventilation in BLS: Technique and Common Mistakes — Bag-mask and pocket mask ventilation in BLS: the E-C clamp, two-person technique, breath volume and timing, and how to avoid over-ventilating.
How to Use an AED in BLS: Steps and Special Situations — How to use an AED in BLS: turning it on, pad placement for adults and children, shocking, resuming CPR, and water, pacemakers and patches.
Choking Relief in BLS: Adults, Children and Infants — Choking relief in BLS: abdominal thrusts for adults and children, back slaps and chest thrusts for infants, and what to do if they collapse.
High-Performance Team Dynamics in BLS Resuscitation — Team dynamics in BLS: team roles, the team leader, closed-loop communication and the elements of a high-performance resuscitation team taught by the AHA.

Comparisons (4)

BLS vs CPR: What Is the Difference? — BLS and CPR are not the same thing. What each term covers, which certificate UAE employers actually want, and how to tell them apart before you book.
BLS vs ACLS: What Is the Difference? — How Basic Life Support differs from Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support, who needs each, and why BLS comes first. From an AHA training centre in Abu Dhabi.
BLS vs PALS: What Is the Difference for Paediatric Resuscitation? — BLS vs PALS compared: child and infant CPR in BLS versus advanced paediatric care in PALS, who needs which, and why PALS always requires current BLS.
BLS vs Heartsaver CPR AED: Which AHA Course Do You Need? — AHA BLS vs Heartsaver CPR AED compared: healthcare provider CPR versus lay rescuer CPR, pulse checks, bag-mask and team skills, and which one your job needs.

BLS across the UAE (3)

BLS Course in Dubai — BLS training for staff and teams based in Dubai: on-site AHA Basic Life Support at your clinic or hospital, or scheduled sessions at our Abu Dhabi centre.
BLS Course for Al Ain: AHA BLS Training for Clinicians and Clinics — BLS course options for Al Ain nurses, doctors and clinics: AHA BLS certification at our Abu Dhabi centre, HeartCode blended BLS or on-site training.
BLS Course for Sharjah, Ajman and the Northern Emirates — AHA BLS training for clinics in Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, Ras Al Khaimah and Fujairah: on-site groups or our Abu Dhabi centre.

Other life support and first aid courses: ACLS Course · PALS Course · First Aid Course · Training calendar

Frequently asked questions

Where do I book a BLS course?

On the BLS course page, or in the booking form at the top of this page.

Which guide should I read first?

What is BLS, then the BLS course syllabus and how to prepare for a BLS course.

Are these guides written by instructors?

Yes, by the training team at Safety First Medical Services, an AHA training centre in Abu Dhabi.

Is there a guide for my profession?

See the BLS by profession section: nurses, doctors and dentists, paramedics, allied health, students and caregivers.

How often are the guides updated?

They are reviewed when guidelines or our courses change; each page shows its last review date.

Book an AHA BLS course in Abu Dhabi

Classroom BLS, HeartCode blended BLS and on-site group BLS training at Safety First Medical Services, an American Heart Association training centre on Al Reem Island.

See BLS dates and register BLS course overview

Sources and further reading

What we teach follows the awarding body and the UAE health authorities. For the definitive position on a course or licensing question, these are the places to check.

Basic Life Support (BLS) training — American Heart Association
CPR and ECC Guidelines — American Heart Association
AHA eCard lookup and verification — American Heart Association

Last reviewed 21 September 2026 by the training team at Safety First Medical Services, an American Heart Association training centre at Addax Office Tower, Al Reem Island, Abu Dhabi. Call +971 55 761 9841 or email training@safetyfirstmed.ae.