ERC
Basic Life Support (BLS)
For anyone — no prior knowledge required.
Basic Life Support (BLS), together with the safe use of an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) when one is available, is the first level of care for a person in cardiac arrest.
No session is scheduled for this programme right now.
The programme
Cardiac arrest happens without warning, when the heart suddenly stops beating properly. Its electrical mechanism stops working, and so no blood reaches the brain and the other vital organs. At that moment, knowledge and composure can save a life.
What is the difference between cardiac arrest and a heart attack?
Although they are often confused, they are two different things. A heart attack is a "plumbing" problem: an artery supplying the heart becomes blocked, the heart keeps beating, but part of it is not properly supplied with blood. Cardiac arrest is an "electrical" problem: the heart stops completely, because its electrical impulse is interrupted. A severe heart attack can, however, cause cardiac arrest.
How do I know someone has suffered a cardiac arrest?
The signs are immediate: the person collapses, is not breathing, has no pulse and does not respond if you speak to them or shake them.
What is the first thing I should do?
Call the emergency services (112) immediately. Then, if you are trained, start Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR). Time is your greatest enemy.
CPR is not knowledge only for health professionals, it is for each of us. It may prove to be the most valuable lesson of your life, the one that gives a fellow human a second chance.
No prior knowledge is required to attend this training. Anyone can take part.
The certifying body
European Resuscitation Council
The European Resuscitation Council (ERC) is the European body that sets the guidelines for cardiopulmonary resuscitation. It was founded in 1988 as a non-profit organisation, with the mission of "preserving human life by making high-quality resuscitation available to all". Its guidelines, updated every five years, are a point of reference across Europe. Through a network of national councils, the ERC trains around two million people a year in 56 countries. Programmes that follow its standard lead to an internationally recognised certification.
Visit the body’s websiteFrequently asked questions
Do I need any prior knowledge?
For most programmes, no — they start from zero. Where a prerequisite exists, the programme itself says so: the Basic Instructor Course, for example, requires an active ERC BLS or PBLS certification.
The programme I want has no scheduled session. What do I do?
Leave your email on the expression of interest page and pick the programmes you care about. As soon as a matching session opens, you will be the first to know.
Do you train schools and groups?
Yes. We offer free training to schools of every level and to the community, and through the Double Score programme a school can earn a free defibrillator. For a training at your own venue, write to us at info@lifesupporthub.edu.gr.