It’s important to note that both classes include information about CPR. The differences are the curriculum and who attends.

CPR AED is a CPR class for regular/standard applications. Many participants include First Aid when completing CPR AED training. A wide variety of people attend CPR AED classes such as new parents, personal trainers, childcare workers, and other people in non-healthcare/medical work settings or roles.

Basic Life Support (BLS for short), also called CPR for Healthcare Providers is a version of Adult and Pediatric CPR training for those that work in healthcare or medical settings, or are professional rescuers. BLS is more in-depth and complex than standard CPR training. Another difference is it includes more topics (such as respiratory arrest, variations in opening the airway, cardiac arrest in pregnancy, and teamwork).

Not sure if your employer requires standard CPR or BLS/CPR for Healthcare Providers? Be sure to check before completing your registration!

What’s the difference between the American Heart Association (AHA), American Red Cross (Red Cross), and American Safety and Health Institute (ASHI) training programs?

Simply put, the main difference is the organization name that appears on your certification card!

The material you learn is virtually identical, with very slight differences from a “textbook” point of view.

All three adhere to international and U.S.A. standards. Some employers, schools, and organizations have an administrative requirement for either AHA or Red Cross. Some accept both AHA and Red Cross. And some also accept ASHI, where the primary distinction is lower cost.

So, which should you get? That depends on what is accepted by your employer, school, or organization! Check your paperwork, or ask a manager, administrator, or HR rep for clarification, then make your selection!

If you are getting recertified, and if you work or go to school at the same place as before, then probably the easiest thing to do is use the same organization. But, it never hurts to check — maybe you can recertify via a different organization and pay less this time!

20% off 7 am classes!

Yes!

We conduct the classes; your certification comes from the American Heart Association (AHA), the American Red Cross (Red Cross), or the American Safety and Health Institute (ASHI).

Purple Health and Safety is an independent provider of health and safety training. We are a registered, insured business and we are properly affiliated with AHA, Red Cross, and ASHI.

• Purple Health and Safety is an authorized “Training Site” for AHA.

• Purple Health and Safety is an authorized “Licensed Training Provider” for Red Cross.

• Purple Health and Safety is an authorized “Approved Training Center” for ASHI.

Now, you just decide which organization to get your certification from (pro tip: ask your work or school, or just check to see what you did last time), and let’s get you registered for class :)

We have several class options so you can choose what’s best for you. Check them out!

Wanna skip the whole “class thing”?

Come on in for a quick 30-45 minute private 1-on-1 session!

And, you can add a 2nd person (so it would be a 2-on-1 session) for 20% off!

SIGN UP!

The “Family and Community” program is a non-certification educational series of classes and events, in a relaxed, fun, social environment :)

Want your whole family to learn the basics of Stroke / Heart Attack / Cardiac Arrest? Come join us!

Wanna hang out at a restaurant, with a social gathering of people, enjoy some food and drink, and learn about a health & safety topic? Come join us!

How about a free CPR class, so you know the basics of what to do? Come join us!

Does your teen / pre-teen aspire to earn money and learn responsibility by getting into babysitting?

Purple’s comprehensive program is a great resume builder, a wonderful confidence builder, and a super fun group learning experience!

We go beyond the basics! By the end of the self-paced online learning and the in-person class, participants can receive up to 5 certifications on health & safety related topics.

Purple Health and Safety is one of the best places to get your Instructor Training for Red Cross and AHA.

Great! Both BLS Basic Life Support AND regular standard CPR include adult, child , and baby. Want to know which you should choose? Read above! :)

Although BLS and First Aid aren’t normally offered in a package, First Aid can be added to any of Purple’s BLS classes!

ALL OF PURPLE’S OPTIONS meet the in-person requirement. Your work/school/org means that an instructor needs to teach/verify your skills in-person. We have several convenient options. They all fulfill OSHA/work/school requirements!

• American Red Cross: A few years ago Red Cross dropped the “for Healthcare Providers” part. The Red Cross BLS certifications still say “Basic Life Support”. It’s the same certification, verifiable anytime directly through the Red Cross website).

• American Heart Association (AHA): The new AHA cards say BLS Provider. Same certification as before, verifiable directly through the AHA website.

• What’s the reason for the changes? The thing is that healthcare professionals both in and out of the hospital setting get BLS certified, as well as other professionals! AHA and Red Cross dropped the specific “healthcare provider identifier” for more accuracy about who gets certified.

• My boss / school / organization won’t accept my card because it doesn’t say “for Healthcare Providers”. Give them our number, (844) 728-3277, or have them call AHA or Red Cross (wherever you got certified). It can be easily explained that the profession-identifier has simply been removed to more accurately reflect the people who get BLS certified.

Yes — we have several other Red Cross and AHA certifications that anyone can easily add! Or, get separately!