Skip to content

BLS/PBLS

BLS/PBLS - Introduction
Guidelines 2021 are based on the International Liaison Committee on Resuscitation 2020 Consensus on Science and Treatment Recommendations for Basic Life Support (BLS) and Automated External Defibrillation (AED) and the European Resuscitation Council Guidelines (ERC) for Resuscitation (2021) Adult Basic Life Support. Refer to the ERC (ERC) guidelines publications for supporting reference material. 
 
Guidelines 2021 prioritises supporting members of staff to have the confidence, knowledge and skills to act when someone sustains a cardiac arrest.  Few major changes have been introduced as the principles of CPR remain unchanged. The guidelines emphasise that it is more important that people feel able to do something to help than they become focused on small details or concerned about causing harm. No greater harm can occur than failing to act when someone requires CPR and defibrillation.
 
The response to cardiac arrest remains critical to saving lives. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and use of an automated external defibrillator (AED) increase the chances of survival by two to four-fold and are a critical part of UK government’s strategies to improving survival from cardiac arrest.
 
These guidelines are intended to support members of staff who may be called upon to act in an emergency and to help saves someone’s life. This includes members of the public, children and family members, first responders, and those with a duty to respond. They complement the Resuscitation Council UK Quality Standards for Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation and Automated External Defibrillation Training which describe that when cardiac arrest occurs, systems and education should be in place to ensure that:
 
  • Cardiac arrest is recognised early
  • Help is sought – shout for nearby help and dial 999/2222
  • CPR is promptly started according to current guidelines
  • An AED is located, retrieved and used as early as possible

Pre-Course Preparation

All clinical staff must complete Adult Basic Life Support - Level 2 training annually.
In addition, staff who work directly with children are required to also complete Paediatric Basic Life Support - Level 2.
 
Both Adult and Paediatric learning is found in this course, please complete the package(s) relevant to your job role.
 
This course is completed in three parts:
 
  1. Complete and pass the adult BLS eLearning module (or both adult and paediatric modules if you look after children).
  2. Book onto and attend the practical Assessment. You won't be able to book your practical assessment space until you have passed the eLearning module(s).  Note: please do not book on the Adult session if you are also attending the Paediatric session as this is a Paediatric & Adult combined session.
  3. After attending your practical assessment, please log back in and complete the feedback form for the session so your training can be recorded as complete. Note: Anyone completing ILS or ALS will be covered for BLS (for one year only) from completion. Please do not book onto BLS until your compliance is up.

Important information about BLS booking:

  • Our sessions start very promptly, we allow a maximum of 5 minutes from the start time should you not be able to make it on time. Anyone arriving 5 minutes after the start session or later will not be allowed in the session and will be redirected to book a different time slot. Thank you for helping us deliver the best high quality training by keeping to time.
  • If you arrive late and are told to rebook: you may be able to have a place in later sessions during the same day. This is subject to availability and unexpected absence and therefore it is not guaranteed that a space will be available.
  • If you have a new injury and unable to perform CPR, we strongly recommend to wait until the injury is healed to attend one of our sessions. The ability to perform manual chest compressions is essential to delivering high quality CPR.
Last updated05 Aug 2025