Basic Life Support (BLS) Course

Learn how to recognise cardiac arrest, perform CPR and use a defibrillator confidently.

When someone suddenly collapses, it isn’t the ideal moment for everyone to stand around asking, “Does anybody know CPR?”

Our Basic Life Support course gives learners the practical skills and confidence to recognise a life-threatening emergency, call for help, perform effective CPR and safely use an automated external defibrillator (AED).

Delivered by experienced trainers from emergency-service backgrounds, the session is practical, engaging and focused entirely on essential life-saving actions.

Course at a glance

• Duration: Approximately 3 hours
• Minimum age: 16 years old
• Delivery: Practical, instructor-led training
• Location: Course dates and locations available on request
• Certification: GroupTogether Ltd certificate of attendance
• Price: £40 per learner

Who should attend?

This course is suitable for anyone who wants the confidence to respond to a cardiac arrest or other life-threatening emergency, including:

• Members of the public
• Workplace teams wanting CPR and AED awareness
• Sports coaches and activity instructors
• Community groups and volunteers
• People caring for friends or relatives
• Anyone who wants to learn essential life-saving skills

No previous first-aid experience is required. We start with the basics, explain everything clearly and provide plenty of opportunities to practise.

What will learners cover?

The session concentrates specifically on Basic Life Support and includes:

Recognising an emergency

• Checking that it is safe to approach
• Checking whether someone is responsive
• Calling 999 and requesting emergency assistance
• Assessing whether someone is breathing normally
• Recognising abnormal breathing and possible cardiac arrest
• Understanding the importance of acting quickly

CPR and resuscitation

• Performing effective adult chest compressions
• Correct hand position, compression rate and depth
• Providing rescue breaths
• Understanding when compression-only CPR may be used
• Continuing CPR until professional help arrives
• Working effectively with another rescuer

Using an automated external defibrillator

• Locating and preparing an AED
• Switching on the defibrillator and following its instructions
• Correctly positioning the electrode pads
• Keeping the casualty and bystanders safe
• Combining AED use with continuous, effective CPR

Unresponsive casualties and choking

• Placing an unresponsive but breathing casualty into the recovery position
• Continually monitoring breathing and responsiveness
• Recognising partial and complete airway obstruction
• Responding appropriately when an adult is choking

This is a hands-on course, so learners will have plenty of opportunities to practise CPR and AED use using professional training equipment.

Is this a workplace first-aid qualification?

This Basic Life Support course teaches valuable life-saving skills, but it is not an Emergency First Aid at Work or First Aid at Work qualification.

It cannot be used as evidence that someone is a qualified workplace first aider. Employers requiring formally designated first aiders should consider our one-day Emergency First Aid at Work or three-day First Aid at Work courses.

If you’re unsure which course your organisation requires, GroupTogether Ltd can help you complete a training needs analysis and identify the most appropriate option.

Assessment and certification

Learners will practise the essential BLS skills throughout the session and receive supportive feedback from the instructor.

Everyone who completes the course will receive a GroupTogether Ltd certificate of attendance. This confirms participation in the session but is not an accredited workplace first-aid qualification.

Regular refresher training is recommended because CPR is a practical skill—and practical skills tend to become slightly less practical when they haven’t been practised for several years.

Price and booking

The course costs £40 per learner.

The price includes:

• Practical instructor-led training
• A course manual
• A certificate of attendance
• No additional course fees

A 20% deposit is required to secure a booking, with the remaining balance payable at least two weeks before the course begins.

Ready to learn skills that could save a life?

Contact GroupTogether Ltd to ask about upcoming course dates or arrange a Basic Life Support session.

Email: info@grouptogether.org.uk
Telephone: 07949 365621
 

Practical training, delivered by professionals—for professionals