Short answer: if you work, study or plan to work in healthcare, you almost certainly need BLS. Everyone else, from teachers and coaches to parents and office first aiders, usually needs CPR Level C. The rest of this guide explains why, so you can book the right course the first time.
CPR Level C vs BLS: what CPR Level C covers
CPR Level C is the most common CPR certificate in Canada. It teaches one person to respond to a cardiac arrest or choking emergency in an adult, a child or a baby, and to use an AED.
- Chest compressions and rescue breaths for all ages
- Choking relief for conscious and unconscious people
- Using an automated external defibrillator (AED)
- Recognising a heart attack or stroke and calling for help early
It is included in Standard and Emergency First Aid, or you can take it on its own in about four hours.
BLS vs CPR Level C: what BLS covers
Basic Life Support is the healthcare version. The core skills are the same, but it trains you to work as part of a team in a clinical setting, where the expectations are higher and the equipment is different.
- Two-rescuer CPR and switching roles without pausing compressions
- Bag-valve-mask ventilation
- Pulse and breathing checks the way hospitals expect them
- Team communication during a resuscitation
Who needs which?
CPR Level C or BLS: you probably need BLS if you are
A nurse, PSW, paramedic, respiratory therapist, dental or medical student, or anyone starting a clinical placement. Most programs list it as BLS or CPR-HCP, which mean the same thing.
CPR Level C or BLS: you probably need CPR Level C if you are
A teacher, early childhood educator, coach, lifeguard, fitness instructor, workplace first aider, or a parent who simply wants to be ready.
When in doubt, ask for the requirement in writing. It takes your employer thirty seconds and saves you retaking a course.
The bottom line
Healthcare means BLS. Almost everything else means CPR Level C, often as part of Standard First Aid. Both courses are hands-on, both finish with a Red Cross certificate, and both run every weekend at our two GTA locations serving Mississauga, Brampton, Scarborough and Pickering.
Ready to book? Compare our CPR and first aid courses, see the BLS course or the blended CPR Level C course, or check the class schedule for open dates.
