What is the difference between BLS and CPR / AED?

This question gets asked a lot.  While anyone can take a CPR / AED class, most people in a healthcare setting are required to take BLS.  However, if you are not in healthcare and a BLS class accommodates your schedule better, you are welcome to take the class. This is also a regional and institutional issue.  Some regions of our county (and planet!) have their own way of doing things.  Institutions all over the world set in these different regions, set their standards and policies.  Therefore, it is always best to ask who you work for, who you are about to work for, and any academic institutions you plan on attending and what their requirements are.

There are also cases when institutions will tell a babysitter their BLS is not valid at their place of work because it is not Heartsaver, despite BLS being a higher level of CPR class.  This shows there is a lot of navigation required to satisfy your requirements.  Absolute CPR suggests you inquire with anyone you need to show proof of class to what class they require.