Basic CPR skills are covered by the Basic Life Support concept from the American Heart Association. We have three BLS programs offered to trainees, available all through the week. Only one of our BLS programs can be taken by the public; the rest are for healthcare providers or people who work in healthcare. To register for a BLS course near you click here.
What you learn in a CPR course with us
A little background on BLS
Basic Life Support was a concept created to help rescuers when giving CPR. The BLS guidelines use a set of steps called the Chain of Survival, composed of five “links”. The first two to three links are taught in basic CPR programs while all five are covered in the advanced courses for healthcare professionals.
- Recognition of cardiac arrest
- Chest compressions and rescue breaths (CPR)
- Automated external defibrillation
- Advanced Life Support
- Post-cardiac arrest care
The Emergency Response System
In the US, emergency dispatch is an integral part of CPR rescue. When the rescuer is a bystander with minimal training, a call to dispatch after a victim collapses increases the chance of survival. Dispatchers typically give instructions to a bystander rescuer which improves the CPR given to the victim thereby improving patient outcomes.
Dispatch should remember to help the rescuer assess the victim. One of the common mistakes by bystander and trained rescuers is assessing breathing. Rescuers often mistake gasping for regular breathing. In our CPR training programs, we teach the students how to recognize normal versus irregular breathing.
Assessment
The first step to CPR is proper assessment. Once the victim has collapsed, the rescuer should ensure that the scene is safe before proceeding with assessment. After calling for help, begin by tapping the victim’s shoulder and calling his or her name. If the victim remains unresponsive, check for a pulse and normal breathing. If both are not present, CPR must be started immediately.
Early CPR
Cardiopulmonary resuscitation are forceful and rhythmic applications of pressure to the chest. These actions manually compress the heart and allow it to beat and send blood flowing to the rest of the body. This is the most important skill that a trainee is taught, so even if he or she cannot clear the airway and give rescue breaths, hands-only CPR can still be performed.
Remember:
- Push HARD and push FAST.
- Compressions should be at least 100 per minute, with a depth of at least 2 inches (5 cm).
- Wait for the complete recoil of the chest before giving another compression.
- Minimize the frequency and duration of interruptions while giving compressions.
- The recommended compression-ventilation ration is 30:2.
Certification
All our courses are certification programs. We award students with certificates once they complete their training, as well as pass the certification exam. The certificate is valid for two years before it expires. We offer re-certification classes for rescuers who wish to renew their credentials. Only those with certificates that are still valid can sign up for re-certification.