A Basic Life Support(BLS) online course lays a strong foundation for anyone who wants to respond to medical emergencies. Many life-saving skills are taught in online BLS Classes. Some may feel that online classes are less effective. However, these courses are designed to be highly interactive and thorough. This ensures that you acquire vital knowledge and skills with ease.
The in-person training does not offer the flexibility to learn these vital techniques at your own pace from the comfort of your home. So, as a busy healthcare person or even a non-healthcare person, online BLS courses can fit easily into your busy schedule.
Here’s an in-depth look at what you will learn in an online BLS course and how these skills can help you manage cardiovascular emergencies with confidence.
1. High-Quality CPR Techniques
One of the core components of a BLS course is learning how to perform CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation). You’ll learn the proper technique for delivering high-quality chest compressions and rescue breaths. These techniques are essential for keeping oxygenated blood flowing to vital organs when a person’s heart has stopped beating. You’ll understand how to deliver effective CPR that maximizes blood flow to the heart and brain until a professional arrives. This immediate help significantly increases the chances of saving a life.
What you will learn in-depth:
- Proper hand placement for effective compressions on adults, children, and infants.
- The correct depth and rate of chest compressions.
- Ensuring minimal interruptions during compressions to maintain the flow of blood.
- Performing rescue breathing when necessary, especially in situations involving infants or drowning victims.
2. AED Operation
Another crucial skill taught in a BLS course is how to use an AED (Automated External Defibrillator). This portable medical device helps to analyze the heart’s rhythm and delivers an electric shock to restart the heart if needed. AEDs are often available in public places like airports, schools, gyms, and many more. If you know how to use an AED, you can act fast and make a difference. AEDs are a crucial component in BLS education. So, you will learn everything about AEDs in online classes.
Here’s what will you learn in detail:
- How an AED works and its importance in cardiac emergencies.
- Learn how to quickly and effectively attach the AED pads to the patient.
- Following the device’s prompts to administer a shock or continue CPR.
- Ensuring that no one is touching the patient while the AED delivers a shock.
3. Airway Management and Rescue Breathing
In addition to CPR and AED skills, BLS courses teach airway management and rescue breathing. This is particularly important for patients who are not breathing adequately or whose airways are obstructed. Airway management and rescue breathing are vital in cases of respiratory arrest or obstruction, such as choking. If you know how to clear an obstruction or deliver effective rescue breaths in emergencies, you can help prevent brain damage and death due to lack of oxygen.
Let’s see the key things covered in airway management:
- How to open an airway using the head-tilt/chin-lift or jaw-thrust maneuver.
- The use of barrier devices like pocket masks to deliver rescue breaths.
- Performing effective rescue breathing for adults, children, and infants.
- Recognizing the signs of choking and how to clear an airway obstruction.
4. Choking Relief
A major focus of BLS training is recognizing and responding to choking emergencies. Choking occurs when an object becomes lodged in the throat or windpipe, cutting off airflow. Choking is a common emergency, particularly among young children and the elderly. Online BLS course also covers techniques to dislodge the obstruction and prevent further complications or death.
Have a look at what you ‘ll learn:
- Identifying the signs of choking in adults, children, and infants (e.g., inability to talk, breathing difficulties, or a bluish face).
- Performing the Heimlich maneuver (abdominal thrusts) on adults and children.
- Delivering back blows and chest thrusts for choking infants.
- What to do if the choking victim becomes unresponsive and requires CPR.
5. Recognizing Life-Threatening Emergencies
A BLS course also teaches you how to recognize life-threatening emergencies that require immediate attention. This includes identifying symptoms of cardiac arrest, heart attacks, strokes, and other medical emergencies that necessitate CPR, defibrillation, or advanced care. If you can recognize these conditions early, then you can respond quickly. Knowing when to take action is important, and online BLS covers all these topics.
Have a look at the things in detail:
- Identifying cardiac arrest and understanding the need for immediate CPR.
- Recognizing the signs of a heart attack, such as chest pain, shortness of breath, and discomfort in the upper body.
- Identifying stroke symptoms using the FAST method (Face drooping, Arm weakness, Speech difficulty, Time to call 911).
- Understanding when to activate the emergency response system and when to intervene directly.
6. Team Dynamics and Communication
For healthcare providers and those working in teams, BLS training emphasizes the importance of team dynamics and communication. Its because clear communication and coordinated efforts can enhance care, reduce errors, and ensure that the patients receive the best possible support. Team Dynamics in CPR involves coordinating with others during a resuscitation attempt, clearly assigning roles, and effectively communicating with emergency medical services (EMS) when they arrive.
You’ll learn the following things in team dynamics:
- Understanding the roles of team members during a resuscitation attempt.
- The importance of clear and concise communication, particularly when directing others.
- Responsibilities of each member in resuscitation efforts.
- Coordinating care between bystanders, team members, and EMS professionals.
7. Post-Resuscitation Care
The final step in BLS is recognizing the importance of post-resuscitation care. While the focus is on stabilizing the patient during an emergency, the BLS course also covers what needs to be done after the patient is resuscitated. Post-resuscitation also includes ongoing monitoring and support until advanced care can take over. Understanding this process can help bridge the gap between first response and advanced medical intervention.
What you’ll learn:
- The importance of maintaining the patient’s airway, breathing, and circulation after resuscitation.
- Monitoring the patient for signs of deterioration and providing supportive care.
- Handing off the patient to EMS or other advanced healthcare professionals.
Must Read: Tips to prepare for your online BLS examination
Conclusion
The knowledge acquired in a BLS course can prepare you to respond effectively to cardiac emergencies. Enrolling in an online BLS course allows you to gain these essential life-saving skills at your own pace. You can master high-quality CPR and AED use and learn about airway management and team dynamics.
The course procedure is very simple. Just enroll in an Online class, access the course material online, prepare at your own pace, take the exam, and come to the facility for hands-on training.
Whether you are a healthcare provider or someone who simply wants to be ready to act in such situations, BLS certification is invaluable in making a difference when seconds count. If you want to enroll in a class at an AHA-authorized training center, then Sacramento CPR Classes is here to help you. We offer Online BLS courses for laypersons and healthcare providers. And our courses are taught by expert firefighters and paramedics. So, take the first step in being prepared. Join us, and we will help you to save lives in emergencies.