Last Updated on: September 11, 2024
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Emergencies can happen at any time without warning. Issues like breathing difficulty or cardiac arrest can happen to anyone. In such situations, you must know how to act and what to do. This is where BLS training helps.
You must be wondering, what is Basic Life Support (BLS)? It refers to immediate help given to individuals experiencing a life-threatening medical emergency such as cardiac arrest or choking. It involves building simple but essential procedures to keep someone alive until advanced medical help is available. Basic life support includes actions such as chest compressions, rescue breaths, and airway obstruction and clearance. So, what is the importance of Basic Life Support? In this article, we will talk about everything around this question and why everyone should get certified in BLS. So, let’s begin.
Basic Life Support is often the first line of defense in life support. Immediate utilization of BLS techniques such as chest compressions and rescue breaths can further increase the chances of survival for anyone experiencing a heart attack or other emergency. Let’s understand why one should learn basic life support skills:
BLS involves promptly assessing the condition, checking for functionality, and providing necessary care, such as CPR. By acting promptly, BLS providers can help those experiencing a medical emergency until advanced help arrives.
Oxygenation and blood flow are maintained through techniques such as chest compressions and rescue breaths. By ensuring that the heart continues to pump blood and oxygen to the brain, BLS providers help avoid any undesirable outcomes.
By immediately initiating CPR and providing adequate oxygenation, BLS providers can help prevent irreversible brain injury. Every minute is important in these situations. BLS’s primary goals are to preserve life, maintain adequate circulation and oxygenation, and reduce the possibility of brain damage until advanced medical intervention is available.
Read More: How to Use an AED: Step-By-Step Guide
Basic Life Support is an important set of actions that can change the outcome of an emergency. During the certification program, you learn many things. The key components are recognizing the signs of cardiac arrest, activating emergency medical services (EMS), performing quality cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), and administering an external defibrillator (AED). Let’s understand basic life support training in detail.
Basic life support is often needed for victims of cardiac arrest and similar situations. A cardiac arrest occurs when the heart suddenly stops functioning. It often results in loss of consciousness and abnormal breathing. You must recognize the symptoms of cardiac arrest early and initiate BLS intervention. Sudden collapse, unresponsiveness, and abnormal breathing are common signs of the issue.
EMS activation is essential to ensure professional medical help arrives as quickly as possible. BLS certification trains you to understand the problem and seek emergency services quickly. You also learn to bring trained personnel and equipment to the scene. All these actions increase the chances of a positive outcome for the victim.
CPR is an important part of BLS. It involves compressing the chest and maintaining blood circulation. High-quality CPR can avoid further issues for the patient. For maximum effectiveness, it is important to follow the recommended guidelines and push hard and fast on the chest.
An AED is a portable device that delivers electrical impulses to the heart. It helps restore normalcy during sudden cardiac arrest. As a learner, you understand how to operate an AED and help a victim.
Familiarity with the components of the basic life support system can change the situation in an emergency. After knowing what do you learn in BLS training and using resources, you can respond effectively in times of crisis.
Now you know the purpose of basic life support and how it helps a person in a medical emergency! BLS skills can make you a rescuer, whether you’re a healthcare professional or a concerned person. Let’s understand the top 5 importance of basic life support.
First and foremost, BLS is an immediate life-saving process in the most critical minutes of a disaster. Hence, knowing how to perform chest compressions, deliver rescue breath, and operate or use an AED helps keep the person alive until the medical experts arrive. These quick actions keep blood flowing, delivering oxygen as required for living.
When the heart stops beating, oxygenated blood cannot reach the brain. Without oxygen, brain cells begin to die within minutes. You can help maintain blood flow to the brain by performing BLS. This may help prevent irreversible brain damage and improve the patient’s overall prognosis.
Another critical aspect is survival rates, wherein BLS is efficient. Many studies have been conducted to prove that BLS can either increase or even double the chances of surviving cardiac arrest outside a hospital. It also improves outcomes for victims of stroke and choking. By buying time for professional medical treatment, BLS does, in fact, actively increase a person’s chances of recovery.
BLS training also enhances total emergency preparedness. It builds confidence during times of crisis, teaches how to assess and react in various emergencies, and offers regular updates to skill competencies.
This preparation allows individuals to remain cool and composed and effectively deal with unexpected medical emergencies that may happen at home, in the workplace, or in public places.
By spreading awareness and teaching others Basic Life Support, you contribute to the overall safety of your community. If more people know how to perform CPR, use an AED, or assist in a choking situation, the likelihood of a positive outcome in an emergency increases. You’re advocating for basic life support to help create safer and more prepared communities.
Now, you may wonder, what is BLS in medical terms? To understand simply begin BLS, you need to remember the acronym “C-A-B”: Compressions, Airway, and Breathing. This is a logical sequence that, in an emergency, enables a quick assessment, keeps the circulation going, clears the airway, and supports respiration until more advanced help arrives.
Begin by placing the heel of one hand in the middle of the person’s chest. Then, raise the other hand and bring the fingers together. Aim for 100-120 compressions per minute and push hard and fast.
You learn to tilt the person’s head back gently. Next, you must lift the chin to open the airway. Look, listen, and feel the breath. If the person is not breathing properly, you should give two rescue breaths.
This part involves pinching the victim’s nose. Then, you need to cover his mouth with your mouth and take two rescue breaths. Watch the victim’s chest rise and fall with every breath.
Remember to continue the cycle of chest compression, relaxation, and breathing until help arrives or the person begins to breathe on their own.
BLS is a series of medical procedures performed on individuals facing cardiac arrest or choking. Let’s discuss the benefits of learning BLS and how it can positively impact healthcare professionals and the general public.
The BLS certification course provides broad-ranging training in fast evaluation and response in times of emergency. The certified people are trained to quickly identify an emergency and execute the proper techniques for CPR, AED use, and relief from choking. Such knowledge enables one to respond quickly and efficiently during such emergencies, hence saving lives before professional help is offered.
Structured training and hands-on practice involved in BLS certification build confidence in handling high-stress emergencies. Certified people are more capable of keeping themselves calm and focused when presented with critical scenarios and, hence, able to apply their skills more appropriately.
For any healthcare professional, getting certified in BLS is usually a necessity. The professional demonstrates a commitment to patient safety and current knowledge of emergency care. This certification will enhance one’s employability, fulfill the employer’s needs, and be useful for professional development in any healthcare field.
BLS certification offers some degree of legal protection for those called upon to provide emergency care. It means a person has received proper training and is indeed following laid-down protocols. This could be very important in the current litigious society and thus protect somebody from some potential legal issues that emanate as a result of offering emergency assistance.
Apart from professional benefits, the BLS certification empowers people to make a difference during the most important moments of their lives. The potential ability to save a life is rewarding and can bring personal fulfillment.
Many people are interested in learning Basic Life Support. If you’re one such person, you must know where and how to learn this life-saving skill. There are many ways to learn BLS, including:
Many hospitals, healthcare facilities, and community centers offer BLS classes taught in person by certified instructors. These courses include hands-on training and practical learning and ensure proficiency in BLS procedures.
Online BLS courses are available for self-study for busy users. These courses feature interactive modules, videos, and quizzes that test knowledge and skills. You can learn at your own pace without disturbing your routine. Additionally, you can join a community or forum of BLS learners.
Upon completion of the BLS course, you can obtain a certificate valid for a specified period (usually 2 years). You can even request a digital print of your certificate. Ask the course provider, and he might detail this point. Also, regular recertifications are necessary to understand the latest guidelines and procedures in the BLS.
Read more: What do I need to bring to a CPR class?
Learning BLS is invaluable for healthcare professionals and the general public. By developing the skills and knowledge needed to deal with medical emergencies, individuals can improve outcomes.
Whether you are a healthcare professional or a concerned citizen, learning BLS is a valuable investment. To understand the importance of basic life support, sign up for a BLS course today and get ready to help when it matters most!
