If you’re considering a healthcare career or if you’re in a role that might involve responding to emergencies, Basic Life Support (BLS) certification is necessary for you. With the flexibility of online learning, you can complete BLS training at your own pace and convenience. The training prepares you for a wide range of emergencies, from handling cardiac arrests to addressing choking situations. This blog talks about what you will learn in an online BLS certification course.
The main goal of an online BLS course is to train you to provide life-saving assistance in emergencies. Here are the key topics typically covered in an online BLS certification course:
One of the first things you’ll learn in a BLS course is identifying the symptoms of cardiac arrest and other respiratory emergencies. To begin BLS, it is imperative to understand the signs of respiratory and heart problems. Indicators of respiratory distress, such as trouble breathing or gasping, and signs of a heart attack, such as chest pain, shortness of breath, or sudden collapse, will be covered throughout the course. Recognizing these symptoms early allows you to start BLS promptly, increasing the person’s chances of survival and recovery.
CPR is one of the central skills you’ll learn in an online BLS certification course. The technique is important for preserving blood flow to the brain and other organs when the heart stops beating properly. In the online BLS course, you’ll go through video demonstrations and step-by-step instructions to understand how to perform chest compressions and rescue breaths.
a. Chest compressions: You’ll learn the correct hand positioning, depth, and pace of chest compressions. Quality chest compressions are important for pumping blood to key organs and improving survival.
b. Rescue breaths: Alongside chest compressions, you’ll learn how to perform rescue breaths, which help provide oxygen to the lungs. The course will teach you how to position the person’s head to open the airway and deliver breaths effectively. While some CPR methods focus only on compressions, BLS courses emphasize the importance of both compressions and breaths in certain situations, mainly when dealing with respiratory emergencies.
An AED is a device that delivers an electric shock to a person experiencing sudden cardiac arrest. Learning how to use an AED is a crucial part of BLS certification. You’ll be guided through the basic steps of AED operation, which typically include switching on the device, attaching pads to the patient, and following automated prompts. AEDs are designed to be user-friendly, but BLS training ensures you are familiar with how to use them confidently, even in high-pressure situations.
Airway obstructions or choking situations are also covered in online BLS certification courses. You’ll learn techniques, such as abdominal thrusts for adults and back slaps and chest thrusts for infants, to remove a blockage. You will come to know how to distinguish between partial and total airway blockages and assess if the patient requires emergency care.
The chain of survival concept is a significant part of BLS training. This framework represents the critical steps that increase the probability of survival in cardiac arrest cases. You’ll learn about the five links in this chain: early recognition and calling for help, early CPR, rapid defibrillation, effective advanced life support, and integrated post-cardiac arrest care.
In many cases, you won’t be the only person at the scene of an emergency. Online BLS certification courses include training on how to work effectively within a team. This involves understanding roles, communicating clearly, and ensuring tasks are coordinated efficiently. You will learn about the importance of speaking concisely and confidently and how to perform in a leadership position if required.
BLS for children and infants involves different techniques due to their smaller size and unique physiological needs. In the course, you’ll cover how to adapt CPR and choking response methods for younger patients. For example, the hand placement and compression depth vary for children and infants, and rescue breaths require different techniques.
Before initiating BLS, it’s essential to ensure that you and others are safe. You will learn how to evaluate the scene, look for potential dangers, and decide if it is safe to approach a victim. Basic evaluation methods for determining a person's respiration, pulse, and responsiveness will also be covered.
You learn the necessary skills to help save lives by enrolling in an online BLS certification course. It teaches you how to identify and handle respiratory and cardiac problems, conduct CPR, use an AED, and handle choking situations. Furthermore, this training enhances your ability to collaborate with others, communicate effectively, and make the right decisions in stressful conditions. Being certified in BLS allows you to respond confidently and provide vital assistance when it's most needed.
