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8 Best BLS Trainers Review 2025
Ensuring that your skills are kept up-to-date and expanding on them when the opportunity arises is a key part of leveling up your career. This is as true for the healthcare industry as anywhere else, and, to that end, Basic Life Skills (BLS) training is a must-have. Aside from being necessary for compliance in many healthcare and emergency care roles, it can ensure that you’re able to meet the real demands of the job.
Here, we’re looking at eight of the top providers and the different strengths they offer to suit a wide range of needs.
When choosing your provider, you should think about what fits your schedule and needs. For instance, do you need time-efficient and accessible training to get the certification you need to get back to work? Or are you looking for in-depth, hands-on learning to help you build your skills from the beginning? Take a look at the options below to see which best suits your needs.
The Affordable, Accessible, Accredited Option – Safety Training Seminars
A women-led training center with over 70 locations in California, Safety Training Seminars offers American Heart Association-accredited BLS, CPR, and First Aid instruction, with advanced classes available. Learners complete online modules and perform hands-on practice in automated 24/7 access labs.
Courses are available every day of the week, with many evening options available. They also offer same-day digital certification, which can be perfectly suited to busy professionals looking for time-efficient training that doesn’t compromise standards.
Pros
- Wide range of locations
- High-tech self-service labs offer round-the-clock learning
- Immediate digital certification
- AHA-certified curriculum
Cons
- Limited instructor training
- Only available in California
- Some locations have a fee for rescheduling
Quick, Basic First Aid Training – Save A Life
With fully online CPR/AED/First Aid courses that follow the latest life support guidelines, Save A Life offers a lifetime certification option. Their accredited modules come with an instant digital certification and unlimited test attempts.
The ease of retesting and long-lasting certifications make a good option for flexible, on-demand access without scheduling constraints.
Pros
- Fully online
- Self-paced learning
- Instant digital certificates
- Unlimited test takes
Cons
- Zero hands-on skill components
- May not meet all workplace requirements
- No advanced first-aid techniques
The Budget-Friendly, Online Option – International CPR Institute
A strictly online training provider, International CPR Institute offers courses aligned with international standards and has earned an A+ BBB rating. They’re a budget-friendly option for individuals and small groups, with both printed and mailed certifications.
This provider stands out as a low-cost model that makes it easy for price-conscious users to get the basic certifications that they need.
Pros
- Highly affordable
- Group discounts
- Money-back guarantee
- Also offers lessons in Spanish
Cons
- No in-person skills learning
- May not be accepted by all employers
- No instructor-led lessons
The Option For Non-Healthcare Workers – National CPR Foundation
Another fully online provider, the National CPR Foundation, offers First AID, CPR, and BLS courses. These courses are designed to be self-paced, provide printable wallet cards, and cater to both individuals and small groups.
The instant access and low cost of these lessons make them ideal for non-healthcare workers or basic learners who may want to improve their resume with basic first-aid training.
Pros
- Adheres to OSHA guidelines
- Free wallet card printing
- Video demonstrations of life-skill techniques
- Available 24/7
Cons
- No hands-on component
- No advanced training courses
- Lacks AHA or similar certification
Best In-Person Training – Nation’s Best CPR
With a focus on instructor-led training, Nation’s Best CPR offers CPR and BLS classes in the Central and Eastern US. Their in-person training includes plenty of hands-on practice, with workplace and community group training options.
With highly-trained local instructors, plenty of one-to-one attention, and a small-business model, it offers a more personal approach, which can be great for those learning their BLS skills from the start.
Pros
- Live, instructor-led training
- Good for corporate and group bookings
- Hands-on skills emphasized
- Accessible weekend options
Cons
- Limited regional availability
- Little online/hybrid learning
- Higher costs than online options
The Corporate Training Option – Health and Safety Institute
The HSI offers blending and in-person BLS training, alongside a range of professional healthcare services, designed for the corporate environment. Courses are built for health and emergency workers, with options for continuing education credits for EMS and dental staff.
With nationwide reach and a scalable solution that can fit organizations of all sizes, they’re well-suited to organizations and companies looking to keep their team compliant with regulations.
Pros
- Available nationwide
- In-person, online, and blended options are available
- CE credits available
- Well-suited for corporate and business environments
Cons
- Less suited to individual learners
- Video-heavy courses can feel impersonal
- Short hands-on sessions
The Beginner’s Option – In-Pulse CPR
With a focus on live, in-person training, In-Pulse CPR offers short BLS courses from professional instructors, often from EMS or clinical backgrounds. They offer practical, scenario-based learning in the Midwest and Southwest US
Their real-world insights and engaging instruction can make them a good option for new learners, especially those who seek in-depth feedback.
Pros
- Instructor-lead classes
- Real-life scenario training
- Corporate and group support
- Efficient training sessions
Cons
- Few online or blended offerings
- Requires advanced scheduling
- Prices are higher than others
Short, Impactful, And In-Person – CPR World
Another fully in-person BLS training, CPR World, is situated in central Massachusetts. They offer short four-hour sessions with video demonstrations, hands-on stations, and quizzes to ensure practical skills
Their instructor-led classes are designed for immersion and detailed feedback, tailored for small groups of healthcare workers and students, although their scheduling is relatively fixed as a result.
Pros
- Hands-on practice with small groups
- Scenario-based learning is designed for skills retention
- Regular monthly lessons
- Two-year certification with eCard provided
Cons
- Located only in Massachusetts
- No hybrid or online options
- Little flexibility in the scheduling
Final Thoughts
Which BLS training works best for you is going to depend on the specific needs of your role, as well as your own flexibility, budget, and preference for different learning styles. We’ve provided a wide range to take a closer look at above, but the final choice is yours.
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