BLS Skills Session Checklist
What is the BLS Skills Session?
The Basic Life Support (BLS) skills session is an optional live examination that evaluates the student’s proficiency in performing the mechanical skills learned during BLS certification. An examiner will run through a common cardiopulmonary emergency allowing the student to demonstrate their ability to properly execute current cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and Emergency Cardiovascular Care (ECC) guidelines.
BLS Skills Test Examiner
The examiner must be certified in Basic Life Support (BLS) in order to administer the BLS skills session. Common examiners generally include a student’s hospital or clinic manager, fellow coworker, friend, or administrator designated by one’s work.
Hospitals and clinics regularly designate a BLS skills session administrator. We highly recommend institutions have a designated provider administer United Medical Education’s BLS skill session to improve the quality and efficiency of testing. Simply use our self-directed documents below.
If you are a student who lacks more convenient options, you can find an unaffiliated professional examiner using the following link.
*Important: You will need to print and deliver the BLS checklist to your examiner. You are ultimately responsible for making sure they have the proper examination materials and skills certificate to sign.
BLS Skills Checklist
The BLS checklist is exclusively for the examiner who is administering the test. As the examinee is guided through the BLS skills session, the examiner will use the checklist as an outline of what knowledge and skills should be demonstrated by the examinee. The examiner will check off each portion as complete or incomplete as the skills scenario progresses.
Once completed successfully, the examiner will provide a signed BLS skills certificate to the examinee. The examinee is to keep the signed skills certificate together with the corresponding BLS provider card as proof of completion.
BLS Skills Checklist Download
Above is the complete BLS skills session document. Only this document has everything necessary for testing purposes. Below you’ll find segments of the testing document for administrators who would like to review the examination materials online.
DIRECTIONS for Skills Testing:
The examiner is to read the BLS scenario to the examinee while following along with the corresponding checklist. The examiner is to check off each portion of the checklist, as the examinee verbalizes and demonstrates their knowledge and skill in current BLS concepts and mechanics. The examiner should not provide answers or additional guidance beyond the information presented in the scenario. If the examiner must guide the student to the correct answer, that portion of the checklist should be marked as incomplete and the student will need to repeat the BLS scenario after appropriately reviewing the portion they performed incorrectly. The examinee should provide feedback if the student is needing to repeat the test.
*DISCLAIMER: Only a current certified BLS provider can administer the test.
BLS Scenario – Adult (Single Rescuer)
BLS Scenario – Adult (Single Rescuer)
(Test administrator dialogue provided in italics)
You are at the gym running on the treadmill when you notice someone nearby yelling for help. Another gym goer has collapsed to the ground.
1. The examinee should secure the scene. (Scene is safe)
2. Assesses patient responsiveness. (No pulse present, no breaths observed)
3. Directs someone to call for help and get the AED. (Bystanders have gone to call 911 and get the AED)
4. Demonstrates correct CPR hand placement and body positioning over patient.
5. Demonstrates correct compression rate and depth, and allows for complete chest recoil.
6. Demonstrates opening the airway, gives effective breaths, and observes visible chest rise.
7. Have examinee perform a second round of CPR. (AED has arrived, switch providers giving compressions)
8. Demonstrates correct placement of AED, without interrupting CPR. (AED analyzes rhythm)
9. Examinee clears patient for rhythm check and shock. (Shock delivered)
10. Examinee immediately returns to CPR after shock delivered.
| BLS Scenario – Adult (Single Rescuer) Checklist | ||
|---|---|---|
| Skill Tested | Completed | |
| Yes | No | |
| Establish scene safety | ||
| Assess patient responsiveness (check for pulse/breathing, no longer than 10 sec) | ||
| Activates emergency response (calls for help/AED) | ||
| Correct CPR hand placement and positioning | ||
| Correct CPR rate (100-120/min.) and depth (2 inches) | ||
| Allows for complete recoil of chest between compressions | ||
| Airway opened appropriately (head tilt/chin lift, jaw thrust) | ||
| Delivers 2 breaths (each over 1 second) with visible chest rise | ||
| Correct AED placement without disrupting compressions | ||
| Clear of patient for rhythm analysis and shock | ||
| Compressions immediately resumed after shock | ||
BLS Scenario – Adult (Two-Rescuer)
(Test administrator dialogue provided in italics)
You are at a company Christmas party when a fellow coworker nearby starts yelling for help. A fellow employee has collapsed to the ground.
1. The examinee should secure the scene. (Scene is safe)
2. Assesses patient responsiveness. (No pulse present, no breaths observed)
3. Directs someone to call for help and get the AED. (Bystanders have gone to call 911 and get the AED)
4. Begins Two-Rescuer CPR. Demonstrates correct CPR hand placement and body positioning over patient.
5. Demonstrates correct compression rate and depth, and allows for complete chest recoil.
6. After two minutes of two-rescuer CPR they pause to check for a pulse. (No pulse present.)
7. Examinee takes the position of providing rescue breaths and begins a second round of CPR. (AED has arrived, switch providers giving compressions)
8. Demonstrates correct placement of AED, without interrupting CPR. (AED analyzes rhythm)
9. Examinee clears patient for rhythm check and shock. (Shock delivered)
10. Examinee immediately returns to CPR after shock delivered.
| BLS Scenario – Adult (Two-Rescuer) Checklist | ||
|---|---|---|
| Skill Tested | Completed | |
| Yes | No | |
| Establish scene safety | ||
| Assess patient responsiveness (check for pulse/breathing, no longer than 10 sec) | ||
| Activates emergency response (calls for help/AED) | ||
| Correct CPR hand placement and positioning | ||
| Correct CPR rate (100-120/min.) and depth (2 inches) | ||
| Allows for complete recoil of chest between compressions | ||
| Checks for pulse after two minutes of CPR. | ||
| Switches roles with other rescuer. | ||
| Airway opened appropriately (head tilt/chin lift, jaw thrust) | ||
| Delivers 2 breaths (each over 1 second) with visible chest rise | ||
| Correct AED placement without disrupting compressions | ||
| Clear of patient for rhythm analysis and shock | ||
| Compressions immediately resumed after shock | ||
BLS Scenario – Child over 1 year (Single Rescuer)
(Test administrator dialogue provided in italics)
You are a daycare provider caring for children that are playing at a park. Suddenly, you witness a 4-year-old collapse to the ground.
1.Examinee secures the scene. (Scene is safe)
2. Assesses patient responsiveness. (No pulse present, no breaths observed)
3. Calls for help and gets AED first, then begins CPR.
4. Demonstrates correct CPR hand placement- one palm or both palms one over the other, on lower sternum between the nipples.
5. Performs single rescuer CPR: 30 compressions/2 breaths for 5 cycles (2 min).
6. Demonstrates correct compression rate, depth and complete chest recoil.
7. Opens airway, gives effective breaths/observes visible chest rise. (Help arrives with an AED)
8. Demonstrates correct placement of AED pads.
9. Clear of the patient during rhythm analysis/shock
10. Continues CPR immediately after shock delivery.
| BLS Scenario – Child over 1 year (Single Rescuer) Checklist | ||
|---|---|---|
| Skill Tested | Completed | |
| Yes | No | |
| Establish scene safety | ||
| Assess patient responsiveness (stimulate/speak to child, check breathing/pulse) | ||
| Collapse witnessed: Call emergency response, get AED, then start CPR Collapse unwitnessed: Perform 2 min. CPR first, Call emergency response, AED | ||
| Demonstrates correct hand placement (one or both palms one over the other, on lower sternum between the nipples.) | ||
| Delivers 30 compressions/ 2 breaths over 5 cycles (2 min) | ||
| Demonstrates correct CPR rate (100-120/min.) and depth (2 inches) | ||
| Allows complete recoil of chest between compressions | ||
| Airway opened appropriately (head tilt/chin lift, jaw thrust) | ||
| Delivers 2 breaths with visible chest rise | ||
| Correct AED placement without disrupting compressions | ||
| Clear of patient for rhythm analysis/ shock | ||
| CPR immediately resumed after shock | ||
BLS Scenario – Child over 1 year (Two- Rescuers)
(Test administrator dialogue provided in italics)
You and a friend are watching children play in a public pool. The pool is very busy with several families swimming. Suddenly you notice a 3-year-old lying face down in the pool motionless.
1.Examinee secures the scene. (Scene is safe)
2. Assesses patient responsiveness. (No pulse detected. Patient is not breathing. There are several adults there ready to help.)
3. Examinee directs bystander to call for help and get AED, while examinee begins two- provider CPR.
4. Demonstrates correct CPR hand placement- one palm or both palms one over the other, on lower sternum between the nipples.
5. Performs two-rescuers CPR: 15 compressions/2 breaths for 10 cycles (2 min).
6. Demonstrates correct compression rate, depth and complete chest recoil.
7. Opens airway, gives effective breaths/observes visible chest rise. (Bystander has returned with AED)
8. Examinee switches role with second provider. Second provider now performs opposite role (compression or breaths).
9. Demonstrates correct placement of AED pads.
10. Clear of the patient during rhythm analysis/shock
11. Continues CPR immediately after shock delivery.
| BLS Scenario – Child over 1 year (Two-Rescuers) Checklist | ||
|---|---|---|
| Skill Tested | Completed | |
| Yes | No | |
| Establish scene safety | ||
| Assess patient responsiveness (stimulate/speak to child, check breathing/pulse) | ||
| Directs bystander to call emergency response and get AED, and begins two-provider CPR. | ||
| Demonstrates correct hand placement (one or both palms one over the other, on lower sternum between the nipples.) | ||
| Delivers 15 compressions/ 2 breaths over 10 cycles (2 min) | ||
| Demonstrates correct CPR rate (100-120/min.) and depth (2 inches) | ||
| Allows complete recoil of chest between compressions | ||
| Airway opened appropriately (head tilt/chin lift, jaw thrust) | ||
| Delivers 2 breaths with visible chest rise | ||
| Providers switch CPR roles at 2 minutes | ||
| Correct AED placement without disrupting compressions | ||
| Clear of patient for rhythm analysis/ shock | ||
| CPR immediately resumed after shock | ||
BLS Scenario – Infant 0-1 year (Single Rescuer)
(Test administrator dialogue provided in italics)
You are babysitting a 4-month-old infant that is lying in his crib. You go to prepare a bottle of milk and when you return the infant appears unresponsive.
1. Examinee secures the scene. (Scene is safe)
2. Assesses patient responsiveness. (No pulse present, no breaths observed)
3. Commences 2 min of CPR first, then calls for help/gets AED.
4. Demonstrates correct CPR hand placement- two fingers over sternum of chest.
5. Performs single rescuer CPR: 30 compressions/2 breaths for 5 cycles (2 min).
6. Demonstrates correct compression rate, depth and complete chest recoil.
7. Opens airway, gives effective breaths/observes visible chest rise. (Help arrives with an AED)
8. Demonstrates correct placement of AED pads.
9. Clear of the patient during rhythm analysis/shock.
10. Continues CPR immediately after shock delivery.
| BLS Scenario – Infant 0-1 year (Single Rescuer) Checklist | ||
|---|---|---|
| Skill Tested | Completed | |
| Yes | No | |
| Establish scene safety | ||
| Assess patient responsiveness (stimulate/speak to child, check breathing/pulse) | ||
| Collapse witnessed: Call emergency response, get AED, then start CPR Collapse unwitnessed: Perform 2 min. CPR first, Call emergency response, AED | ||
| Demonstrates correct hand placement (two fingers on sternum of lower chest) | ||
| Delivers 30 compressions/ 2 breaths over 5 cycles (2 min) | ||
| Demonstrates correct CPR rate (100-120/min.) and depth (1.5 inches or 1/3 of chest) | ||
| Allows complete recoil of chest between compressions | ||
| Airway opened appropriately (head tilt/chin lift, jaw thrust) | ||
| Delivers 2 breaths with visible chest rise | ||
| Correct AED placement without disrupting compressions | ||
| Clear of patient for rhythm analysis/ shock | ||
| CPR immediately resumed after shock | ||
BLS Scenario – Infant 0-1 year (Two-Rescuers)
(Test administrator dialogue provided in italics)
You and another nurse are getting dinner after a shift when a woman yells for help. Her 3-month old infant has become unresponsive.
1.Examinee secures the scene. (Scene is safe)
2. Assesses patient responsiveness. (No pulse detected. Patient is not breathing.)
3. Examinee directs mother to call for help and get AED, and proceeds to perform two- provider CPR.
4. Demonstrates correct CPR hand placement- having the hands encircle the infant’s torso with thumbs midline over sternum, 1 cm below nipple line.
5. Gives 15 compressions to 2 breaths for 10 cycles (2 min).
6. Demonstrates correct compression rate, depth and complete chest recoil.
7. Opens airway, gives effective breaths/observes visible chest rise. (Mother has returned with AED)
8. Examinee switches role with second provider. Second provider now performs CPR compressions.
9. Demonstrates correct placement of AED pads without disrupting compressions.
10. Clear of the patient during rhythm analysis/shock
11. Continues CPR immediately after shock delivery.
| BLS Scenario – Infant 0-1 year (Two-Rescuers) Checklist | ||
|---|---|---|
| Skill Tested | Completed | |
| Yes | No | |
| Establish scene safety | ||
| Assess patient responsiveness (stimulate/speak to child, check breathing/pulse) | ||
| Directs bystander to call emergency response and get AED, and begins two-provider CPR. | ||
| Demonstrates correct hand placement (hands encircle infant’s torso with both thumbs positioned midline over the sternum, 1 cm below nipples.) | ||
| Delivers 15 compressions/ 2 breaths over 10 cycles (2 min) | ||
| Demonstrates correct CPR rate (100-120/min.) and depth (1.5 inches or 1/3 of chest) | ||
| Allows complete recoil of chest between compressions | ||
| Airway opened appropriately (head tilt/chin lift, jaw thrust) | ||
| Delivers 2 breaths with visible chest rise | ||
| Providers switch CPR roles at 2 minutes | ||
| Correct AED placement without disrupting compressions | ||
| Clear of patient for rhythm analysis/ shock | ||
| CPR immediately resumed after shock | ||
BLS Skills Session Certificate Form
