CPR/AED covers cardiac emergencies for the general public, BLS is the healthcare-provider version of the same skills, and First Aid covers injuries and medical emergencies.
The one-line difference
CPR/AED teaches you to respond to cardiac arrest — compressions, rescue breaths, and defibrillator use for adults, children, and infants.
BLS teaches the same core skills at a healthcare-provider level, adding team-based resuscitation, bag-mask ventilation, pulse checks, and multi-rescuer sequencing.
First Aid covers everything that is not cardiac arrest: bleeding, burns, fractures, choking, allergic reactions, stroke, seizures, heat and cold emergencies, and poisoning.
Who needs BLS
Nurses, medical assistants, dental staff, physical and occupational therapists, pharmacy staff, EMS personnel, and students entering clinical programs. If a job posting or program lists 'BLS for Healthcare Providers,' the general-public CPR course will not substitute.
BLS assumes you work with other trained responders and have access to equipment, which is why the sequencing and team roles are part of the curriculum.
Who needs CPR/AED
Teachers, coaches, personal trainers, childcare workers, office safety teams, construction and industrial staff, hospitality workers, volunteers, babysitters, and family caregivers.
This is the right course when the requirement simply says 'CPR certified' with no healthcare qualifier.
Who needs First Aid
Anyone whose workplace risk is injury rather than cardiac arrest, and anyone whose employer cites OSHA first aid requirements. Most people who need First Aid also need CPR, which is why the combined First Aid & CPR/AED course is the most commonly chosen option.
Bloodborne Pathogens is a separate, OSHA-driven requirement for workers with reasonably anticipated exposure to blood or other potentially infectious material — healthcare, dental, tattoo, custodial, corrections, and first-responder roles.
Still not sure?
Read the exact wording of your requirement. 'BLS' or 'Basic Life Support' means the healthcare course. 'CPR/AED' means the general course. 'First Aid/CPR/AED' means the combined course. 'Bloodborne pathogens' is its own annual requirement.
Because every course here is free to read before you pay, you can open the material and confirm it matches your requirement before spending anything.
Is BLS the same as CPR?
BLS includes CPR but goes further. It is the healthcare-provider level course, adding team resuscitation, bag-mask ventilation, and pulse checks. A general CPR/AED certification does not satisfy a BLS requirement.
Do I need both CPR and First Aid?
Many workplaces require both. The combined First Aid & CPR/AED course covers them together in one certification.
Which course should I take if my employer just said 'CPR certified'?
CPR & AED. If they work in healthcare or the posting mentions Basic Life Support, take BLS instead.