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. standards. However, some employers, schools, and organizations have a specific 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! For Basic Life Support (BLS), Purple conveniently offers the option to get both AHA AND Red Cross in one! This is a great choice if you’re not sure what you need. And, it’s perfect for those in school or job hunting since each organization has different requirements.

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!

Note: We’re excited to be adding ASHI soon. It’s an excellent budget-friendly option to look out for in 2 years next time you choose Purple for your training.