Learn BLS Online A Medical Professionals Guide.docx

1. Learn BLS Online: A Medical Professional's Guide Table of Contents Introduction Understanding BLS: Mastering life saving techniques for emergencies Online BLS course structure and format Benefits of online BLS training for busy professionals How can healthcare workers manage their schedule for online BLS training? Finding a reliable BLS certification provider Conclusion 1 1 2 3 4 4 5 Introduction Learning basic life support (BLS) is an important skill for professionals working in medicine and healthcare. BLS helps you quickly identify and intervene during life-threatening emergencies until advanced medical help arrives. With an online BLS course, you can learn life-saving skills to save a person during emergencies like choking, difficulty in breathing, cardiac arrest, etc. BLS training follows globally updated guidelines and equips you with the skills and confidence to provide prompt care as a first response. As a medical student, assistant, nurse, or emergency responder, you should learn BLS online. BLS training is also encouraged among non-medical workers as it will allow them to know how to provide basic life support to anyone suffering from a life-threatening emergency. Understanding BLS: Mastering life-saving techniques for emergencies BLS techniques are useful during life-threatening emergencies like cardiac arrest, breathing problems, or choking. The reason to learn BLS online is to ensure that you are well aware of the different skills and techniques, and can help keep the bodily functions like breathing and blood circulation going. BLS is administered until advanced medical care arrives, making it crucial for the first response to be given properly. If you are keen on taking the BLS training, here’s a quick overview of what the course contains: ● Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) ● Proper use of automated external defibrillators (AEDs) ● Techniques for clearing obstructed airways

2. In North America, out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) affects 47.3% of 100,000 people every year. This highlights the urgent need for prompt emergency response. In-hospital cardiac arrests (IHCAs) are also serious medical emergencies that need to be tackled carefully. Recent studies show that survival-to-hospital discharge is only 20-25% for IHCA patients. This statistic highlights the need for further improvements in IHCA response and care. All healthcare workers are expected to know BLS techniques well, irrespective of their role. If you know BLS, you can provide a quick, coordinated response, which can potentially greatly improve a patient's chances for survival. Healthcare facilities prioritize ensuring that all their staff are proficient in BLS training. It is a prerequisite for working in a healthcare or medical facility. Online BLS course structure and format The BLS course is structured to cater to a diverse audience. While this primarily includes members of the healthcare industry, BLS training is encouraged among the general public as well. With an online BLS training, you can expect to learn the following skills and techniques: ● Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) techniques: Learning CPR will teach you how to maintain blood and oxygen circulation. ● Automated External Defibrillator (AED) usage: AEDs are portable machines designed to administer electric shocks to an individual to restore their heart’s normal rhythm. ● Airway management and rescue breathing: This skill teaches you how to maintain an open airway by administering proper rescue breaths to ensure that oxygen flow to the lungs and brain continues. ● Choking management and relief: In your online BLS training you can expect to cover various techniques to help people during choking. These include the Heimlich maneuver and back blows; techniques that are tailored to the age and condition of the affected individual.

3. The BLS course is holistic in the sense that it also gives you realistic simulations and case studies to learn from and apply your knowledge, to enhance your training effectiveness. This will help you feel better prepared to deal with emergencies. Benefits of online BLS training for busy professionals Online BLS training is a lifesaver, especially for healthcare workers who have a plethora of professional and personal commitments. Taking the BLS training online allows you to balance your demanding schedules while supplementing it with professional development. You can improve your emergency preparedness skills without interrupting your busy schedule with online BLS training. Here’s a look at some of the benefits of online BLS training: ● Flexibility: As a healthcare professional, you would have a busy working schedule. An online BLS training can be flexibly fit around your work commitments as you can learn at your own pace. ● Accessible resources: BLS course materials are available anytime, anywhere. All you need to do is log in to your account. You can easily balance the training with your professional duties – all you need is a smartphone or a laptop. ● Self-paced learning: The BLS online course offers you self-paced learning. You can access the learning materials and modules as and when you want, according to your own comfort, pace, and learning style. ● Cost-effective: As compared to offline BLS training, online BLS training eliminates commute and accommodation costs. This reduces the financial implications associated with taking the training, making the online certification course more affordable. How can healthcare workers manage their schedule for Online BLS Training? In the busy world of healthcare, time management is critical. Managing schedules for a healthcare professional is a balancing act. To make the most of your BLS training

4. without affecting your existing professional commitments, here are some tips you can follow: ● Prioritize learning goals: Identify your weak areas in terms of BLS skills you need to master. By doing this, you will be prioritizing your learning goals and efficiently managing your time. ● Create a study calendar: Develop a schedule that has dedicated time slots for BLS training. Consistency is important if you want to retain knowledge over a longer period of time. ● Utilize downtime: Use periods between shifts or breaks to integrate short study sessions. This will help you maximize your available time. ● Set realistic milestones: Break down the BLS training into manageable goals. By achieving small, realistic milestones, you will not feel overwhelmed. ● Take advantage of online resources: Use supplementary materials, lectures, and interactive tools to reinforce learning. ● Interact with peers: You will have many peers around you who have either taken the BLS training or are in the process of studying for it. Speak to them to clear any doubts and discuss concepts to retain knowledge better. Finding a reliable BLS certification provider Choosing the right BLS certification provider is important. You should sign up for a course where you receive a certification that is valid and widely recognized. To ensure that you sign up with the best course provider to learn BLS online, here are some points to consider: ● Ensure that the course provider is reputable, comes from respected organizations, and offers a course that adheres to standardized training guidelines. ● Look for comprehensive coverage of key BLS skills within the curriculum. This includes chest compressions, rescue breathing, and AED usage. ● Ensure that the course provides you access to instructors who are BLS-certified and have relevant healthcare experience. This will ensure you have a practical and insightful learning experience. ● For convenience, consider courses that have an online component complemented by an in-person skills session. ● Check for a course provider who has clearly outlined all costs upfront. These include costs associated with learning materials, exam, and certification, skills assessments, practice tests, etc.

5. ● Be wary of course providers that offer you unrealistically short training periods; adequate time is necessary to grasp and retain critical BLS concepts. ● Check reviews and testimonials of course providers online. ● Understand recertification requirements and guidelines, as BLS certifications typically require renewal every two years. Conclusion Online BLS courses are a great opportunity for both medical professionals and non-medical individuals. It is designed for anyone who wants to be ready for a medical emergency. Getting certified can even boost the credentials of healthcare professionals. Just make sure you renew your BLS certificate before it expires. References: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s13049-021-00869-3 https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fcvm.2022.874461/full