What you should know about BLS?

Basic life support (BLS) is a major set of emergency medical procedures to provide initial care and sustain life to those who are having a cardiac arrest or breathing problems. BLS training is widely available through the American Heart Association (AHA). BLS is performed by typically performed by trained individuals, such as healthcare professionals, first responders, or people who have received appropriate training and certification.

Key Components and Techniques of Basic Life Support:

BLS is relatively simple and you can perform them with manual equipment. Here are the main components of Basic Life Support:

• Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR): It is the basis of BLS and involves giving chest compressions and rescue breaths to a person who is unconscious and not breathing or not breathing normally in order to keep their blood oxygenated and flowing.

• Chest Compression: When the heart is not working properly, pressing on the chest repeatedly and rhythmically helps circulate blood throughout the body. 100–200 compressions per minute should be offered. Every 15 to 18 seconds, there are 30 compressions. On the lower third of the patient's sternum between the nipples, place your palms in a midline position, one over the other. Arms locked. Press the patient's chest down with two arms at a depth of at least 2 to 2.4 inches (or 5 to 6 cm). Push quickly and firmly.

• Rescue Breaths: Rescue breaths are a type of first aid that's given to people who have stopped. Giving breaths into someone's mouth or nose when they are unable to breathe on their own helps them get oxygen to their lungs and body. About a second should pass between rescue breaths. Every five to six seconds, try to provide a rescue breath. 10 to 12 breaths per minute approximately.

• Getting the Airway Open: In order to maintain good breathing, it is crucial to make sure the airway is wide open and cleared.

• Automated External Defibrillator (AED): In the event of sudden cardiac arrest brought on by specific arrhythmias, an AED is a portable device that administers an electric shock to the heart to restore its normal rhythm.

What you will learn in AHA BLS classes?

American Heart Association(AHA) BLS classes will teach you vital life-saving skills and methods for giving initial emergency care to those suffering from cardiac arrest or other life-threatening crises.

For nursing students, healthcare workers, EMT students, and EMS who need to know how to do CPR and other life-saving procedures in various in-hospital and out-of-hospital scenarios, we recommend taking our BLS course for healthcare providers in San Francisco. The key topics covered in our AHA BLS class in San Francisco are as follows:

• Cardiopulmonary emergencies and special resuscitation situations
• Adult, child, and infant CPR
• Automated External Defibrillator(AED) use and special considerations
• Deliver appropriate ventilations
• Relief from Airwayy obstruction(choking) for victims of all ages.

It is highly recommended that you enroll in Basic Life Support (BLS) training course provided by Heart Start CPR in person if you live in the San Francisco Bay Area, Oakland, San Jose, Pleasant Hill, or San Ramon since it will be simpler for you to learn. Heart Start CPR also offers online BLS classes if you live elsewhere or you are a busy person.

The online course is recommended for:

• MDs
• RNs
• EMTs
• Dentists
• Medical personnel with busy schedules.

The BLS Certification from the American Heart Association (AHA) is valid for two years. After your existing BLS Certification expires, you can reapply for renewal or recertification. The trainers at Heart Start CPR are firefighters and paramedics so you can get first-person and first responders experience in person.

BLS training is dynamic, therefore standards may change over time. If you work in BLS, it's crucial to stay current on regulations and procedures by taking regular refresher courses and maintaining your certification.