First Aid vs BLS
First aid and BLS both teach CPR, which is why people mix them up. They are designed for different people. First aid is for the workplace and the public; BLS is the professional-level CPR course for people who work in healthcare.
The short answer
If you work in a clinical role — nurse, doctor, dentist, paramedic, pharmacist, allied health — you need BLS. If you are an employee, teacher, parent or workplace first aider, you need a first aid course such as Heartsaver First Aid CPR AED.
| Heartsaver First Aid CPR AED | AHA BLS Provider | |
|---|---|---|
| Designed for | Anyone with little or no medical training | Healthcare professionals |
| First aid (bleeding, burns, allergies, etc.) | Yes | No |
| CPR and AED | Adult (child and infant optional) | Adult, child and infant |
| Bag-mask ventilation and team CPR | No | Yes |
| Card validity | 2 years | 2 years |
BLS teaches CPR the way a clinical team does it: two-rescuer CPR, bag-mask ventilation, pulse checks, high-performance team roles, and all three age groups. It does not cover the wider first aid topics such as bleeding control or allergic reactions. Read what BLS is and BLS vs CPR for more.
First aid covers the far more common emergencies that are not cardiac arrest: bleeding, burns, fractures, allergic reactions, diabetes, seizures and heat illness. That breadth is why employers choose it for workplace first aiders. See what first aid training covers.
Occasionally. School nurses, occupational health staff and clinic receptionists who are also nominated first aiders sometimes take both. For most people, one of the two is enough. Book BLS or the first aid course.
Other life support and first aid courses: BLS Course · ACLS Course · PALS Course · Training calendar
No. BLS is professional-level CPR for healthcare providers. First aid covers a much wider range of emergencies for non-medical people.
Nurses need BLS.
Yes, Heartsaver First Aid CPR AED includes adult CPR, AED and choking.
They are similar lengths. Check the times shown in the booking forms on each course page.
Some employers accept it for CPR purposes, but it does not cover first aid topics. Ask your employer.
Safety First Medical Services is an American Heart Association training centre on Al Reem Island. AHA Heartsaver First Aid CPR AED, Pediatric First Aid and CPR AED courses for individuals, with on-site group training for companies, schools and clinics across the UAE.
See first aid dates and register Heartsaver First Aid CPR AED course Company group enquiry
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.
Last reviewed 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.