What is BLS?
BLS stands for "Basic Life Support", and is the standard-level CPR course for most professionals in the healthcare environment. This can range from emergency room staff to in-home adult caregivers. While these environments may be different in terms of the equipment and personnel available, the CPR basics we cover in the American Heart Association BLS class are applicable to all circumstances. Basic Life Support means just that - we cover the basic CPR skills of compressions, breathing, and AED use, for both one-rescuer and multi-rescuer situations. Modifications to these procedures that are not covered in lay rescuer CPR training include administering pulse checks, using bag valve masks (BVMs), CPR in the presence of an advanced airway, and addressing the various issues having to do with team dynamics.
BLS Provider Course Outline
Here's a brief outline of a BLS class session:
1. 1-Rescuer Adult BLS
Adult Chain of Survival
Scene Safety and Assessment
Adult Compressions
Pocket Mask
1-Rescuer Adult BLS
2. AED and Bag-Mask Device
3. 2-Rescuer Adult BLS
4. Team Dynamics
5. Child BLS
Pediatric Chain of Survival
Child BLS
2-Rescuer Child CPR
6. Infant BLS
Infant BLS
Infant Compressions
Bag-Mask Device for Infants
2-Rescuer Infant BLS
AED for Infants and Children
7. Special Considerations
Mouth-to-Mouth Breaths
Rescue Breathing
Breaths with an Advanced Airway
Opioid-Associated Life-Threatening Emergency
8. Adult and Child Choking
9. Infant Choking