My hospital is requiring everyone in my unit to complete Basic Life Support recertification by end of July, and I'm trying to figure out how much time to set aside. I've held a BLS card for six years but let it lapse, so this is basically starting fresh. A few coworkers said it's easy, a few others acted like it was stressful. Mixed signals.
From what I understand the written portion is 25 questions and you need to score 84% or higher, so 21 out of 25. The skills check is what I'm more worried about - specifically the compression depth and rate during CPR. My hands aren't as strong as they used to be and I know the mannequin sensors are precise about the 2-inch depth requirement.
I'm planning to do a 4-hour in-person class next Saturday. Is there anything I should review beforehand to make sure I'm not scrambling during the practical portion? I know the AHA updates guidelines periodically so I want to make sure I'm not operating on six-year-old info during the skills test.
Six-year lapse is fine, the fundamentals haven't changed dramatically. The main 2020 update was deprioritizing rescue breaths in certain scenarios and emphasizing continuous chest compressions. Your instructor will cover it but worth knowing going in so it doesn't surprise you.
I just did my BLS renewal in April. The mannequin feedback system is unforgiving about compression rate - they want 100-120 per minute and it's easy to go too fast when you're nervous. I'd suggest practicing on a firm pillow at home just to get the rhythm down before your class.
Took me about 3.5 hours total for the in-person session including the written test.
The written part is genuinely not difficult if you review the AHA 2020 guidelines update, which changed the compression-to-breath ratio emphasis. 84% is achievable for almost anyone who takes the class seriously. The skills test is more about muscle memory than knowledge.
Don't stress the written portion - it's really straightforward. The questions are mostly scenario-based: what do you do first, what's the correct ratio, that kind of thing. I scored 24/25 without any prep outside the class itself. The skills check is where people get tripped up on compression depth.
Honestly the skills check itself isn't bad if you actually understand what you're doing and not just running through motions. I failed my first mock scenario not because I didn't know CPR but because I was doing compressions the right way for the wrong reason, so when the instructor changed the scenario slightly I froze. Once I started asking myself why each wrong answer was wrong, everything clicked way faster. Like why is 100-120 compressions per minute the rate? Once you get that it's about coronary perfusion pressure, you won't mix it up under stress.
For the written portion, don't just circle the right answer and move on. Go back and figure out exactly what's wrong with the other three options. It sounds slower but it's actually how you build the mental model that carries you through the skills station too. You've held a card before so your muscle memory isn't zero, it's just rusty. Give yourself one solid focused study session with that mindset and you'll probably surprise yourself.
Just passed mine last week, so I can actually answer this. The written part is nothing, but the skills check tripped me up the first time I ran through practice because my compression depth was inconsistent — the instructor said a lot of people who've held a card for years get lazy with that without realizing it. Once I focused on really locking in full 2-inch depth every single compression, I flew through it. I'd spent time on the basic life support certification material beforehand which helped me feel confident going in, but honestly the physical muscle memory is what they're watching for.
Don't stress too much. If you can walk in knowing your compression-to-breath ratio and you're not rushing the pace, you'll be fine. It's maybe two hours total and the instructors are not trying to fail you.