The basic Life Support (BLS) course trains participants to recognize several life-threatening emergencies and provide them care until the ill or injured person can be provided full medical care by advanced life support providers. It includes cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and several other lifesaving medical skills including initial assessment, airway management, oxygen therapy, chest compressions, etc.
Priorities of Basic Life Support (BLS)
When you complete your BLS training, your priority in any life-threatening situation is to save lives and care for a person until proper medical help arrives. The training will give you three top priorities list that includes
- Airway
- Breathing
- Circulation
These three top priorities are abbreviated as ABC. When you approach an ill or injured person in a life-threatening condition as the first responder, you need to ensure there is an airway, check if the person is breathing, and then assess the quality of their circulation. As a first responder, you will need to follow the three C’s – Check, Call, and Care.
BLS Training Course Option
If you want to get trained in basic life support, you need to understand the training course options available to you. You should, however, note that all the BLS course options train you in the same science-based skills, and after completion, you get the same AHA BLS course completion card that is valid for two years.
The BLS training course is available in two different modes of training –
- Blended Learning
- Classroom Training
Blended Learning vs. Classroom Training for BLS
The blended learning system, also known as online BLS CPR certification, has two parts – an online course and a hands-on skills session. This is considered one of the most efficient paths for BLS training where students can learn in a personalized way. Students have the option to complete their online portion at their own pace before attending a structured, Instructor-led hands-on session.
On the other hand, the classroom training format is the traditional instructor-led hands-on training that reinforces skill proficiency. An instructor teaches students basic life support skills for application in both pre-hospital and in-facility structures. The exercise focuses on high-quality CPR and team dynamics.
What to Expect in BLS Training?
BLS training is supposed to equip you with several life-saving skills. You can expect the following from your BLS training.
- High-quality CPR for people of all ages
- The early use of Automated External Defibrillator (AED)
- Effective AHA chain of survival
- Ventilations using a barrier device
- Providing relief from choking for infants as well as adults
- Importance of teamwork in a medical emergency situation
- Similarities and differences in BLS for adults, children, and infants
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Are AHA and Red Cross CPR certification one and the same?
The CPR certification by American Heart Association (AHA) and American Red Cross are similar but not exactly the same. AHA is the apex body for doing research and setting guidelines for high-quality CPR and Red Cross too abides by the same guidelines. Naturally, certification by AHA is more widely valid. One needs to score above 84% for passing the certification of AHA while Red Cross requires just 80%. Certificates by AHA are valid for 2 years while certificates by Red Cross may be valid for 1 year or 2 years depending on the level of CPR. After the expiry of the validation period, one may easily opt for BLS renewal online.
2. Who requires BLS training?
BLS trains people with the basic skills of life-saving. Anyone can get trained to help a loved one or a stranger in a time of medical emergency. However, professionals who are more benefitted from the course and may require the skills more frequently include –
- Medical professionals
- Social workers
- Teachers
- Day Care Providers
- Security Guards
3. Why is it important to get BLS training and certification?
BLS training provides you the skill and confidence of saving someone’s life in a situation of emergency. Having a certificate also allows people to have trust in your skills to save someone in such situations of emergency. While the skills and certification are helpful for others it is also beneficial for you. BLS certificate can help you land a better job as you can stand out from competitors while seeking new employment. BLS CPR certification can have an incredible impact on your career by making a good impression on your resume.
4. How much time does BLS training takes?
BLS training is a very short duration training program. It can roughly take a few hours. If you go for courses like BLS for healthcare providers online provided by reputed course provider like Simple CPR the average course length will be 60 minutes.
