Hands-on BLS and AED training in Manchester

A cardiac arrest can happen to anyone, at any age, and what bystanders do in the first few minutes matters. Our BLS course in Manchester gives you the practical skills to recognise cardiac arrest, start effective CPR and use an automated external defibrillator (AED) on adults, children and infants.

The day is built around practice rather than lectures. You will learn to adapt your technique to the casualty's age, keep chest compressions going with as few pauses as possible and hand over confidently when the ambulance crew arrives.

Choose a date below to book your place online.

Course overview

This one-day course combines short, focused theory with extensive hands-on practice. You start with the basics of a safe response: checking for danger, assessing whether the casualty responds, opening the airway and recognising normal and abnormal breathing. From there you move on to calling for help and starting CPR.

Most of your time is spent practising on adult, child and infant manikins. Your instructor coaches you on hand position, compression depth, rate and full recoil, and on delivering effective rescue breaths. The key differences between the three age groups are demonstrated and then practised, so you can adjust your approach to the casualty in front of you.

Using an AED

You will learn how an AED analyses the heart rhythm and prompts a shock. You then use one in realistic scenarios, covering chest preparation, correct pad placement, keeping everyone clear and restarting CPR immediately after a shock. The session also covers practical complications such as a wet chest, heavy chest hair, medication patches and implanted devices, as well as paediatric pads or settings where available.

Scenarios and assessment

The day ends with scenario-based exercises that bring every skill together, including the recovery position and what to do if a casualty vomits. Your instructor assesses you through practical demonstration and observation throughout the course.

Who this course is for

This qualification is for anyone who has a workplace, professional, voluntary or community responsibility to act in a life-threatening emergency. If you could be the first person on scene when an adult, child or baby collapses, it gives you a clear, practised sequence to follow and the confidence to start CPR straight away rather than hesitate.

Please check that a Qualsafe Level 3 BLS and AED award meets the requirements of your employer, regulator or professional body before you book.

Who should attend

• Doctors, nurses and healthcare assistants
• Dental professionals
• Pharmacists and pharmacy staff
• Allied health professionals
• Care-home and domiciliary-care staff
• School and nursery staff
• Sports coaches and fitness professionals
• Workplace first aiders
• Security and public-facing staff
• Community and voluntary-sector workers
• Parents and carers

Entry requirements

The course is highly practical. You need to be able to kneel, bend and perform CPR at floor level for sustained periods. Wear comfortable clothing that lets you move freely on the floor.

If you have an injury or condition that may affect your ability to perform CPR on the floor, contact us at firstaid@plabguide.co.uk before booking.