Whether you are a healthcare professional or someone responsible for workplace safety, you must get proper BLS or CPR training. You can then recognize life-threatening situations early and take quick action to save lives. On top of that, training also improves your confidence and readiness during emergencies. However, the real struggle arises when you have to choose between BLS and CPR. In this article, we will discuss the BLS certification course in Danville and why to go with it over CPR. Let’s start!
Overview of the BLS Certification Course in Danville
The BLS certification course in Danville trains you in high-quality CPR, AED usage, and team-based resuscitation during cardiac or respiratory arrests. You’ll receive lectures that last 1 to 3 hours, and once you complete them and pass the test, you’ll receive your certification immediately. It stays valid for two years, after which a renewal is required. There are various course formats available, including online, in-person, and blended. You can choose the one that best suits your schedule and budget.
Key Components of a BLS Certification Course in Danville
Now that you are aware of the basics of a BLS certification course in Danville, let’s discuss the key concepts that the instructor will cover in it:
Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation
CPR is a life-saving approach that keeps blood and oxygen flowing throughout the body when a person’s heart stops beating. Immediately giving CPR can double and even triple the survival rates of victims. Here’s an overview of the two ways your instructor will direct you to perform CPR:
- Hands-Only CPR: As the name implies, it involves only chest compressions without mouth-to-mouth breaths. However, before that, you must call 911 or other emergency services so they can take over for maximum patient stability.
- Traditional CPR: Traditional CPR combines both chest compressions and rescue breaths. In this, you have to push hard and fast on a person’s chest around 100 to 120 times. After a cycle of 30 compressions, you’ll give two rescue breaths to restore the normal heartbeat.
If you need suggestions to keep the correct rhythm of compressions, you can use these popular songs, “Staying Alive” or “Baby Shark.”
Automated External Defibrillator Usage
The AED is a medical device that’s portable and delivers an electric shock to the heart when an abnormal rhythm is detected. It’s used when a person’s heart has stopped beating, but they are still breathing. Your BLS certification course in Danville will guide you on employing an AED during emergencies via the following steps:
- Get the AED from a facility’s first-aid list and open it quickly.
- Turn the device on and then remove all pieces of clothing from the person’s chest. If it’s a woman, you will also need to remove the bra.
- Open the AED electrode pads and carefully stick them on the person’s chest.
- Make sure no one’s touching the patient and clear the area.
- Let the device analyze the heartbeat, and if it suggests shock, press the shock button.
- Follow the rest of the AED machine until professional medical help arrives.
Choking Management
Choking refers to a medical emergency that occurs when a foreign object gets stuck in a person’s throat, blocking the airway. It commonly happens when a person chokes on their food, or a toy gets stuck in the kid’s throat.
The symptoms of choking include a panicked look with both hands on the throat, coughing, and high-pitched breathing. Here’s how the instructor will guide you on choking management during your BLS certification classes:
- Have the person lean forward with the upper body right parallel to the ground. Using your one hand, support their chest for stability.
- With the heel of your hand, deliver five back blows between the shoulder blades.
- Stand behind the person while wrapping your arms around their waist. Place your one hand just above their navel and below the rib cage.
- Make a fist and perform five quick, sharp upward thrusts. Alternate between back blows and abdominal thrusts until the blockage is cleared.
CPR vs BLS: Which One to Choose?
But which training to choose in CPR vs BLS? The following tips make decision-making easy for you:
- Choose CPR training if you are a non-medical professional, parent, teacher, or coach who wants to learn basic life skills, including chest compressions and rescue breaths.
- Choose BLS training if you are a healthcare professional, first responder, or work in a clinical setting where advanced skills, including airway management and AED use, are required.
Also note that CPR often focuses on single-rescuer response, while BLS includes team-based care, ensuring clear communication and coordination. Many local hospitals in Danville, such as Senobe Family Care Giving, require employees to have advanced BLS rather than just CPR.
Conclusion
In CPR vs BLS certification, Danville, the choice of which one to choose depends upon your career goals and workplace requirements. Get in touch with Safety Training Seminars today to explore our range of life-saving courses and take a step towards your professional growth!
