This course is designed to teach the skills for CPR of victims of all ages (including ventilation with a barrier device, a bag-mask device and oxygen), use of an automated external defibrillator (AED), and relief of foreign-body airway obstruction. It is intended for participants who provide health care to patients in a wide variety of settings, including in-hospital and out-of-hospital settings. These healthcare providers may include (but are not limited to) physicians, nurses, paramedics, emergency medical technicians, respiratory therapists, physical and occupational therapists, physician's assistants, residents or fellows or medical or nursing students in training, aides, medical or nursing assistants, and other allied health personnel.

The course is also designed for anyone who is required to take a health-care provider course for employment. Proficiency in the skills of this course is a prerequisite for AHA advanced courses in resuscitation, including Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS), Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS), and BLS instructor courses. This course normally takes a full day.