BLS Classes- What to Expect?
BLS classes are courses that teach individuals how to perform a special set of skills that are designed to help save lives during emergency situations. When these skills are performed correctly, you have the ability to prevent a critical incident from becoming fatal. This American Heart Association BLS (sometimes referred to as BCLS) for Healthcare Providers CPR/AED Initial/Renewal Course is designed for healthcare providers or aspiring healthcare providers who care for patients in a wide variety of settings, both in and out of hospital.
BLS classes cover a wide range of topics related to emergency care, including:
CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation): This is the most important skill taught in BLS classes. CPR is a technique that is used to restart the heart of someone who has gone into cardiac arrest. Students are taught how to perform CPR on adults, children, and infants.
AED (Automated External Defibrillator): AEDs are devices that can shock a person’s heart back into a regular rhythm if they are in cardiac arrest. In BLS classes, students are taught how to use AEDs effectively.
Airway Management: During an emergency, it is important to ensure that a person’s airway is open and clear. BLS classes teach students how to open and maintain an airway, as well as how to suction a person’s airway if necessary.
Choking: Choking is a common emergency that can be life-threatening if not treated quickly. In this course, relief of choking with a blocked airway for responsive and unresponsive victims of all ages will be taught.
During BLS classes, students are also taught how to communicate effectively with emergency responders and how to work as a team during an emergency. At the end of the class, students are required to take a skills test and a written test. If they pass both tests, they receive a certification that is valid for two years.
Kansas City First Aid has Authorized Training Professionals specializing in teaching private and online BLS classes throughout the Kansas City area including those in Johnson and Jackson County. Contact us today to get registered for a class that fits your needs!