Medical emergencies are better managed by individuals who can think clearly under high-risk situations. While not everyone is born with this ability, with proper training and hands-on practice, anyone can master life-saving skills. The Basic Life Support Certification (BLS) trains you to handle situations like choking, cardiac arrest, drowning, and more. In addition to providing first aid and CPR, it helps you develop the right mindset to deal with emergencies effectively. Read on to learn about the skills you can gain from a BLS course.
Key Skills Covered in Basic Life Support Certification
Basic life support certificationequips you with the qualifications needed to handle both mild and severe emergencies. The topics covered in this course include rescue breathing, first aid techniques, CPR administration, and more. Here are some skills you’ll learn:
1. Patient Assessment
In emergencies, it’s important to evaluate the situation before deciding on the best course of action. A BLS course prepares you to recognize signs such as breathing difficulties, chest pain, and mental disorientation. You’ll learn the right questions to ask the patient and how to choose the appropriate first-aid measures.
2. Airway Intervention
When someone is choking, wheezing, or unconscious, BLS-certified individuals must intervene. Rescue breathing and airway management are core skills in basic life support certification. The training covers early symptom recognition and common techniques for restoring breathing, such as the Heimlich maneuver, supraglottic methods, and surgical airways.
3. Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation
CPR is necessary when someone’s pulse is weak or their heart has stopped beating. Without timely CPR, the brain may suffer irreversible damage due to a lack of oxygen. A BLS course teaches the proper techniques for performing CPR on infants, children, and adults.
4. First Aid Methods
With the right skills, a first aid kit can be used to treat more than just wounds and burns. BLS training covers how to manage hyperthermia, skeletal injuries, head and neck trauma, and more. It also teaches you how to quickly identify and control infections, along with skills in pain management and bleeding control.
5. Advanced Equipment
If manual CPR compressions are ineffective, you may need to use an Automated External Defibrillator (AED). Only trained individuals can operate this device, and a BLS course provides the necessary training to use it correctly. The AED delivers electrical shocks to the victim’s chest to restore the heart’s natural rhythm.
Individuals Benefiting from BLS
Some professions mandate BLS certification, while individuals from other career backgrounds may pursue it to be prepared for emergencies. Anyone can enroll in a BLS course. The following professionals and individuals particularly benefit from BLS certification:
1) Healthcare Experts
Medical professionals handle various responsibilities throughout their shifts. From surgeons to nurses to medical technicians, healthcare staff have access to different areas of the hospital. In the event of a medical emergency, BLS-certified personnel can initiate immediate treatment until a doctor can take over.
2) Childcare Workers
Individuals working in daycare or childcare settings can greatly benefit from a BLS course. Over 12,000 children in the U.S. are admitted to the ER each year due to choking on food. Caretakers with BLS training can intervene in such emergencies, potentially preventing life-threatening situations.
3) First Responders
Emergency personnel, such as firefighters, police officers, and paramedics, often encounter victims of cardiac arrest or severe injuries in high-risk situations. A BLS course trains them to manage these cases effectively and prevent the trauma from worsening.
4) Authoritative Figures in Schools
Children spend significant time at school, and teachers are often present when emergencies occur. BLS training prepares authority figures, such as teachers and sports coaches, to offer swift care in emergencies until professional responders arrive.
5) Lifeguards
Well-trained lifeguards play a major role at beaches, swimming pools, and resorts. Strong waves, sudden cramps, or even just panicking can lead to dangerous situations. Swimmers may also make mistakes like diving in too shallow water or getting caught in a current. These things can happen quickly which is why lifeguards need to be prepared for anything.
6) Family Members of High-Risk Individuals
Family members often feel helpless when caring for someone with a chronic illness. High-risk individuals might have conditions like heart disease, asthma, diabetes, or other serious health issues that can lead to emergencies. In these situations, having family members trained in CPR and first aid can make a big difference.
Final Thoughts on BLS Certification
Basic Life Support Certification teaches key skills for managing emergencies and providing urgent care. In addition to learning life-saving techniques like CPR you understand how to assess situations for danger. Courses teach individuals how to coordinate access to first aid kits, AEDs, and emergency services and make decisions that can make a difference. Whether it’s meeting job requirements or being prepared to help in your community, BLS training provides the hands-on skills and knowledge needed to manage emergencies and save lives.
