BLS Certification Classes in San Diego
American Red Cross BLS classes for healthcare providers at SDSU’s Extended Studies Center.
Basic Life Support
$69.99
Designed for healthcare professionals and first responders. Covers adult, pediatric, and infant CPR in 1-rescuer and 2-rescuer scenarios, AED use, airway obstruction, opioid overdose response, and team-based resuscitation. Class cap: 12 students.
Complete a 3 hour online training session, followed by a 1.5 – 2 hour in-person skills session.
Discounts for students, military, and first responders — email contact@samaritansafety.com
BLS Certed in 24 Hours
All classes come with Red Cross certification in 24 hours or less.
PERSONAL SKILL COACHING
Our small class sizes lets our instructor provide you with focused, individual feedback.
Simulated Skill Practice
Participants are placed into real-world scenarios and practice their skills on high-quality Red Cross simulation equipment.
What's covered in a Red Cross BLS class?
- Adult CPR, 1-rescuer & 2-rescuer scenarios
- Pediatric & Infant CPR, 1-rescuer & 2-rescuer scenarios
- Foreign body airway obstruction (choking)
- AED use
- Opioid overdose response
- Usage of a Bag Valve Mask (BVM) device
Who we train
Who needs BLS certification
Basic Life Support is the CPR certification for people who work, or are about to work, in a clinical setting. If your program or employer says “BLS Provider” or “healthcare provider CPR”, this is the class.
01
Nursing, dental & allied health students
Nursing, dental, medical assistant, PT and OT programs that need a current card before clinicals or fieldwork start.
02
Dental offices & clinics
Clinic and urgent care staff renewing every 2 years, one at a time or as a whole team at your office.
03
EMTs, lifeguards & safety teams
Employers that require professional-rescuer CPR with bag valve mask skills.
04
Caregivers & home health aides
For anyone who wants more than a layperson’s CPR class.
If you only need CPR and first aid for work, school or home, our Adult & Pediatric First Aid/CPR/AED class is the right one.
How it works
How the Red Cross BLS class works
Blended learning: online coursework at your own pace, then a hands-on skills session at SDSU. $69.99 per person, no hidden fees, and your BLS Provider card arrives within 24 hours.
01
Book a date
Pick any open BLS class on the schedule. Nothing extra to pay later.
02
Finish the online portion
About 3 hours of Red Cross coursework, completed at your own pace before class.
03
Skills session at SDSU
1.5 to 2 hours of hands-on practice with a maximum of 12 students: adult, child and infant CPR, AED, bag valve mask, choking and team resuscitation.
04
Get your card
Your Red Cross BLS Provider certificate is emailed within 24 hours and is valid for 2 years. Renewal is the same class.
Discounts
Students, active and retired military and first responders: email contact@samaritansafety.com before booking for a discount code.
Clinics & teams
Dental offices, medical practices and student cohorts get 15% off every seat and on-site training anywhere in San Diego County. See instant pricing.
Reviews
What San Diego students say
Rated 5.0 on Google by students who took our BLS, CPR and First Aid classes at SDSU.
★★★★★
“Philip definitely equipped me with all the BLS skills I may need.”
Carolina I.Google review
★★★★★
“He was an amazing instructor! It was a very engaging class.”
Sarine K.Google review
★★★★★
“Phil explained things in a realistic, easy to understand way.”
Kerry P.Google review
For clinics & teams
Need BLS for your clinic, practice or program?
We teach Red Cross BLS on-site for dental offices, medical practices, urgent care teams and student cohorts anywhere in San Diego County. No travel fee, 15% off every seat, no minimum, and you pay by invoice before the training date.
FAQ
Where is parking, and how do I find the classroom?
Paid parking is available at Parking Structure 7 and Parking Structure 6 near the Extended Studies Center. Classes are held at SDSU’s Extended Studies Center, 5701 Hardy Ave, San Diego, CA 92115. Directions and room details are included in your confirmation email!
Are BLS and CPR certification the same thing?
No. BLS is for healthcare professionals and first responders, nurses, EMTs, dental programs, and nursing students. It includes multi-rescuer scenarios and team resuscitation, intended for the clinical setting. Standard CPR/First Aid is for laypeople and intended for common emergencies. If your employer requires BLS, this is the course.
Can I get BLS for free?
Samaritan Safety Training does not offer free BLS classes, but discounts are available for students, active military, retired military, and first responders. Email contact@samaritansafety.com before booking and we’ll send you a discount code.
How much does it cost to get BLS certified in San Diego?
BLS certification at Samaritan Safety Training costs $69.99 per person. Groups of 2 or more save 15% ($59.49 per person) when booked through our business page. Student, active military, and first responder discounts are available, email contact@samaritansafety.com before booking to receive your discount code. Your digital Red Cross BLS Provider Card is delivered within 24 hours of completing your class.
How long are classes?
Red Cross BLS is a blended course: about 3 hours of online coursework you complete at your own pace, followed by a 1.5 to 2 hour in-person skills session at SDSU. Your BLS Provider card is issued within 24 hours of the skills session.
Is this certification accepted by employers?
Red Cross and AHA meet the same ILCOR standards and legal requirements. Double check with your employer – despite ARC certification satisfying all legal requirements, they may have their own preference between AHA or ARC.
Do you offer BLS renewal in San Diego?
Yes. The Red Cross BLS course is the same for first-time certification and renewal. Your BLS Provider card is valid for 2 years, so book any upcoming class before it expires and you will have your new card within 24 hours.
Can my clinic or dental office get BLS training on-site?
Yes. We bring BLS training to clinics, dental offices and other healthcare teams anywhere in San Diego County with no travel fee, and groups get 15% off. See instant pricing on our For Businesses page.
How do I get BLS certified in San Diego?
Book an open class, complete about 3 hours of Red Cross online coursework before your date, then attend the 1.5 to 2 hour skills session at SDSU. Your BLS Provider card is emailed within 24 hours and is valid for 2 years.
Do San Diego nursing and dental programs accept Red Cross BLS?
Red Cross BLS follows the same ILCOR guidelines as AHA BLS and is accepted by most employers and programs. A few programs name AHA specifically, so check your student handbook or HR requirements before booking.
Classes held at SDSU
Our classes are held at SDSU’s Extended Studies Center. Parking is available nearby at SDSU’s Parking Structure 7 and Parking Structure 6.
Non-SDSU student parking rates may be found on SDSU’s website here.
The Extended Studies Center is at 5701 Hardy Ave in the College Area, just off Interstate 8 at College Avenue, and the SDSU Transit Center on the trolley Green Line is next to campus. Room directions come with your confirmation email. Most students drive in from La Mesa, Rolando, Lemon Grove, Santee, El Cajon, North Park, Mission Valley and Downtown San Diego in 10 to 20 minutes. Clinics and dental offices that would rather not send staff out can book an on-site BLS session anywhere in San Diego County with no travel fee.