BLS Practice Test
Updated October 2026Imagine this: you're walking down the street and suddenly, someone collapses right in front of you. Panic sets in as you realize they are not breathing and their pulse is fading fast. In that crucial moment, knowing how to perform basic life support can mean the difference between life and death. Basic Life Support 2026 (BLS) is a fundamental emergency medical intervention that anyone can learn, regardless of their background or experience.
BLS Practice Test Questions
Prepare for the BLS - Basic Life Support exam with our free practice test modules. Each quiz covers key topics to help you pass on your first try.
BLS Adult, Child & Infant Resuscitation
BLS Exam Questions covering Adult, Child & Infant Resuscitation. Master BLS Test concepts for certification prep.
BLS Airway Management & Ventilation
Free BLS Practice Test featuring Airway Management & Ventilation. Improve your BLS Exam score with mock test prep.
BLS Automated External Defibrillator (AED)...
BLS Mock Exam on Automated External Defibrillator (AED) Use. BLS Study Guide questions to pass on your first try.
BLS High-Quality CPR & Provider Skills
BLS Test Prep for BLS High-Quality CPR & Provider Skills. Practice BLS Quiz questions and boost your score.
BLS Special Situations & Scenarios
BLS Questions and Answers on BLS Special Situations & Scenarios. Free BLS practice for exam readiness.
BLS Cardiac Arrest
BLS Mock Test covering Cardiac Arrest. Online BLS Test practice with instant feedback.
BLS Chain of Survival
Free BLS Quiz on Chain of Survival. BLS Exam prep questions with detailed explanations.
BLS CPR Techniques & Procedures
BLS Test Online for CPR Techniques & Procedures. Free practice with instant results and feedback.
BLS Legal & Ethical Considerations
BLS Study Material on Legal & Ethical Considerations. Prepare effectively with real exam-style questions.
BLS Opioid-Associated Emergencies & Naloxone
Free BLS Test covering Opioid-Associated Emergencies & Naloxone. Practice and track your BLS exam readiness.
BLS Post-Resuscitation Care
BLS Exam Questions covering Post-Resuscitation Care. Master BLS Test concepts for certification prep.
BLS Recognition of Cardiac Arrest
Free BLS Practice Test featuring Recognition of Cardiac Arrest. Improve your BLS Exam score with mock test prep.
BLS Respiratory Arrest
BLS Mock Exam on Respiratory Arrest. BLS Study Guide questions to pass on your first try.
BLS Team Dynamics & Communication
BLS Test Prep for Team Dynamics & Communication. Practice BLS Quiz questions and boost your score.
BLS Certification: Cardiac Arrest
BLS Questions and Answers on Certification: Cardiac Arrest. Free BLS practice for exam readiness.
- ✓Confirm your exam appointment and location
- ✓Bring required identification documents
- ✓Arrive 30 minutes early to check in
- ✓Read each question carefully before answering
- ✓Flag difficult questions and return to them later
- ✓Manage your time — don't spend too long on one question
- ✓Review flagged questions before submitting
American Heart Association Basic Life Support
The American Heart Association Basic Life Support (BLS) certification is essential for anyone looking to save lives in emergency situations. The hands-on training provided equips individuals with the skills needed to perform CPR, use automated external defibrillators (AEDs), and aid choking victims effectively. This certification goes beyond simple first aid knowledge, focusing on life-saving techniques that can make a real difference during critical moments.
One of the key aspects of BLS certification is the emphasis on quick and effective action. In emergencies like cardiac arrest, every second counts, and having the confidence to initiate proper protocols can truly be lifesaving. By staying up-to-date with BLS training, individuals not only enhance their own readiness but also contribute to creating safer communities where more people are equipped to respond effectively in times of crisis. Remember, being prepared could mean the difference between life and death in an emergency situation.
For a fuller set of questions on this topic, see our aha bls practice questions resource.
BLS: Pros and Cons
- +basic life support certification — bLS credential is recognized by employers and industry professionals
- +Higher earning potential compared to non-credentialed peers
- +Expanded career opportunities and professional advancement
- +Structured learning path builds comprehensive knowledge
- +Professional development that stays current with industry standards
- −Preparation requires significant time and study commitment
- −Associated costs for exams, materials, and renewal fees
- −Continuing education needed to maintain credentials
- −Competition for advanced positions can be challenging
- −Requirements and standards may vary by state or region
BLS Flashcards: Key Facts to Know
💓 What is the correct CPR compression rate and depth for an adult in BLS?
Push at 100 to 120 compressions per minute to a depth of at least 2 inches (5 cm) but no more than 2.4 inches (6 cm). Let the chest fully recoil after every compression and keep interruptions as short as possible.
START BLS PRACTICE TEST🔢 What is the BLS compression-to-breath ratio for adults, children and infants?
Adults get 30 compressions to 2 breaths whether there are one or two rescuers. For children and infants, a single rescuer uses 30:2, but two rescuers switch to 15:2 because pediatric arrests are often caused by breathing problems.
START BLS PRACTICE TEST👶 How do you do chest compressions on an infant under the 2025 AHA guidelines?
Use the 2-thumb-encircling-hands technique, or the heel of one hand if you cannot encircle the chest. The 2025 guidelines eliminated the old 2-finger technique because it often failed to reach proper depth, which is about 1.5 inches (4 cm), or one-third of the chest.
START BLS PRACTICE TEST⏱️ How long should a BLS pulse check take?
Check for a pulse and breathing at the same time for no more than 10 seconds. Use the carotid artery in adults and the brachial artery in infants. If you do not definitely feel a pulse within 10 seconds, start CPR beginning with chest compressions.
START BLS PRACTICE TEST🫁 What should you do for a choking adult who is still conscious?
The 2025 AHA guidelines recommend alternating 5 back blows with 5 abdominal thrusts until the object comes out or the person becomes unresponsive. This replaced the earlier abdominal-thrusts-only approach for children. If the person becomes unresponsive, call for help and start CPR.
START BLS PRACTICE TEST🍼 How do you help a choking infant in BLS?
Alternate 5 back blows with 5 chest thrusts, using the heel of one hand for the chest thrusts, until the object is expelled or the infant becomes unresponsive. Abdominal thrusts are not used on infants because of the risk of injury to internal organs.
START BLS PRACTICE TEST⚡ What do you do right after an AED delivers a shock?
Resume CPR immediately, starting with chest compressions, without stopping to check for a pulse. The AED will re-analyze the rhythm after about 2 minutes of CPR. Turning the AED on and following its voice prompts is always the first step once it arrives.
START BLS PRACTICE TEST🌬️ How often do you give rescue breaths when a person has a pulse but is not breathing normally?
For an adult, give 1 breath every 6 seconds, which is about 10 breaths per minute. For an infant or child, give 1 breath every 2 to 3 seconds, or 20 to 30 breaths per minute. Recheck the pulse about every 2 minutes and start CPR if it disappears.
START BLS PRACTICE TEST💊 What is the BLS response to a suspected opioid overdose?
Call for help, check breathing and pulse, and give naloxone if it is available and the person is not breathing normally. If there is no pulse, high-quality CPR comes first; naloxone never replaces compressions. The 2025 AHA guidelines added a dedicated opioid-emergency algorithm with public guidance on naloxone.
START BLS PRACTICE TEST🔄 How often should rescuers switch compressors during BLS?
Switch the person doing compressions about every 2 minutes, or roughly every 5 cycles of 30:2, ideally during an AED rhythm analysis. Compression quality drops as rescuers tire, often before they notice it, and the switch should take less than 10 seconds.
START BLS PRACTICE TESTOfficial Resources
- American Heart Association: 2025 CPR and ECC Guidelines announcement summarizes the October 2025 changes to choking response, opioid emergencies and the chain of survival that BLS courses now teach.
- American Red Cross: BLS Training and Certification lists Red Cross BLS class formats, including blended learning that leads to a 2-year certification.
- International Liaison Committee on Resuscitation (ILCOR) publishes the international resuscitation science reviews that national CPR and BLS guidelines are built on.
How this page was made: written with AI tools and published by Nathan Beja, founder of Practice Test Geeks, who is responsible for its content. Exam facts are checked against the official sources listed below. Not reviewed by a subject-matter expert. Editorial policy
Sources & references
Exam facts on this page (fees, format, dates, passing scores) are checked against these official sources; the date is our last check. Editorial policy
- redcross.org — Renewal, test delivery, fees, score validity · verified Oct 2026
- cpr.heart.org — Test delivery, exam format, passing score, retake policy, fees, score validity · verified Oct 2026