5 Benefits of Basic Life Support (BLS) Training

Here are the 5 Benefits of Basic Life Support (BLS) Training:

• Provides the rescuer with confidence to save lives

One of the reasons why in most cases, when accidents and health emergencies occur, bystanders don’t know how to respond. For this reason, most victims lose lives. This lack of knowledge and information also creates fear for bystanders. In some instances, people involved in accidents and other health don’t receive any help from bystanders as they fear touching the wound result in further harm or cause pain.

It is normal to experience such feelings more so due to a lack of skills and experience. Basic life support provides the individual with skills and hands-on experience, providing sufficient knowledge and life-saving skills. The basic life support knowledge and skills are pretty rewarding. It increases the individual’s wealth of expertise in health. As a result, the individual leads a healthier life which extends to those around. Additionally, this knowledge improves individuals’ social skills as they have more to share with their friends and family.

BLS classes also provide learners with essential skills for recognizing victims in health emergencies early enough to save them. Cardiac arrest does not leave the rescuer much time to save the victim’s life. The earlier the victim receives CPR and AED, the higher the chances of survival. The course offers skills and knowledge of cardiac arrest and choking signs and symptoms, essential in providing the appropriate help.

• It offers skills on the performance of CPR

Basic life support training provides the learner with skills on the performance of CPR, which is a critical life-saving technique both in and out of hospitals. Cardiac arrest is fatal, and if CPR is not offered within the shortest time possible, the victim will die. This is because the victim is not breathing, and the heart is not pumping blood. The result is a continued shortage of oxygen within the body. Oxygen is critical for the functioning of body organs. The brain demands a constant supply of oxygen. When disrupted, the result could be vital as the victim might suffer from permanent brain damage or death.

When performed, CPR ensures a constant supply of blood circulation. This is through pressure applied on the heart, which provides an artificial heartbeat. These compressions give the necessary pressure on the heart, facilitating blood flow to the rest of the body. Studies have shown that the blood contained in the human body has enough oxygen to sustain life for some minutes. Consequently, when given chest compressions only, even without mouth-to-mouth ventilation, the victim can stay alive for some time before professional help arrives.

Everyone should take up this critical training as cases of cardiac arrest are on the rise. Studies show that over 350,000 people suffer from cardiac arrest every day in the united states. Unfortunately, some of these people have no previous heart problems. Since cardiac arrest can affect perfectly healthy people, it might strike without warning. The survival of cardiac arrest victims depends on the availability of a knowledgeable CPR person when it occurs. It could be a friend, a family member. A colleague of a complete strange on the street.

People who suffer the condition at home rely on the availability of a CPR-certified family member. Life is precious, more so if it is a loved one. And when a loved one experiences a life-threatening life emergency, we will do all we can to save their lives. However much you might want to be of help, it would be useless without CPR skills.

Another critical part of this course is relieving airway obstruction or choking. Choking is very common, more so in children. It can be complete or partial airway obstruction. Choking can be fatal, especially when the victim experiences complete airway obstruction. There are various ways to relieve choking victims, which are covered under BLS certification and CPR certification. CPR skills are also critical when the rescuer is unable to get the object out of the airway.

• Provides AED skills

While most people are aware of the performance of chest compressions when giving CPR, only a few of this population can use the AED. Skills on the use of this life-saving device are acquired in Basic Life Support Training. The AED (Automated Defibrillator) is essential in the revival of the heart of a cardiac arrest victim. It does so by delivering an electric shock to the heart muscles, which restore its electrical functions.

In cardiac arrest, the heart’s electrical functions fail, and the heart cannot pump blood to the rest of the body. The heart becomes irregular, and the medical term to define this is arrhythmia. The AED can reverse the irregular heartbeat, also called arrhythmia. Every minute that passes when a victim is in this state reduces the chances of survival by up to ten percent.

In most cases, an arrhythmia occurs from ventricular fibrillation (VF). This condition is usually an unsynchronized rapid heart rhythm originating from the heart ventricles. In this state, the heart requires defibrillation using the AED to restore the regular heart rate. The availability of the AED makes it possible for cardiac arrest victims to receive the help they need. However, it is not enough to have AED as it needs to be operated by a professional. The use of the device is not hard to follow as it is usually self-guided with audio-visual prompts.

First, the AED examines the victim’s heart to establish if it is in a shockable rhythm. Once done, it provides instructions on whether a shock is necessary depending on the victim’s condition. Modern AED devices have prompts that guide the user on how to deliver the shock. Anyone can learn how to use the AED as it is easy to operate. The device is also available in most public facilities and is usually free whenever needed. Without the AED, it would be impossible to treat cardiac arrest victims.

• It opens up more opportunities for the individual

Basic life support certification is an essential requirement for some jobs, such as emergency responders. For this reason, anyone interested in taking up such a job would have to take up the certification. Employers are always happy to have their staff trained on different first aid certifications. This is because they can handle any health emergencies that arise at the workplace. Anyone looking for a job can provide basic life certification at the interview to attract some advantage over other candidates. It is, therefore, always an advantage to hold a basic life support certification.

Medical professionals also need these skills, which they need to apply in their daily lives at work. For these professionals, prompt renewal of their certification is always an advantage. Failure to put any skill into practice can cause deterioration. It is always best for medical professionals to be prepared for all kinds of emergencies. The renewal of Basic life support certification is, therefore, critical for healthcare professionals.

• Promotes a sense of safety

Basic life support skills and knowledge give the individual and those around a sense of safety. Whether at home or place of work, health emergencies occur when we least expect them. Some people live in fear of such instances. However, suppose you are trained on basic life support. In that case, you are already a step ahead when it comes to preparing for emergencies. The course teaches you the causes of different life-threatening emergencies to helping the rescuer lead a healthy lifestyle. As you live healthily, you also inspire others to adopt the same healthy habits.

When emergencies occur, there is less panicking whenever a BLS professional is around. Panicking is usually a sign of hopelessness in the victim and those around as they want to help, but they wouldn’t know how to do it. Despite the high number of cardiac arrest cases, not everyone receives help, more so from bystanders. A significant percentage of cardiac arrest victims die before help arrives at the scene due to a lack of CPR-skilled professionals within the proximity to offer assistance.