Saturday, July 11, 2015

Finding BLS Certification For Prehospital Providers

By Olive Pate


All emergency responders require specialized training that can help them save lives. Basic Life Support is a foundational program that trains professionals the proper response for respiratory or cardiac emergencies involving infants, children, and adults. Individuals have many options for blended online and classroom training BLS certification courses taught by qualified instructors.

Fire fighters, emergency medical technicians, sports coaches, and law enforcement officers can now participate in a program designed by the American Heart Association specifically for Prehospital Providers (PHP). Portions of the program are presented online allowing for more flexibility in scheduling for working individuals. This course can benefit anyone who responds to emergencies taking place outside of a hospital or medical clinic.

The course covers specific rescue techniques and the differences between responding to an adult, an infant, or a child. Students learn how to help a choking victim, proper bag-mask breathing assistance, and how to perform Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation alone and with other rescue workers. Lessons cover the proper technique for using an Automated External Defibrillator, a device used to stabilize heart rhythm after a heart attack.

Members of elite rescue squads learn about ways to coordinate responses to ensure victims have a better chance of survival. Course designers have included common scenarios these care providers face every day in the field. All scenes for hands-on training and practice sessions deal with real-life situations, including structure fires, automobile crashes, and other accidents.

Most students will already be familiar with most of the material presented online. This should allow them to complete the program in less than 90 minutes. Students are allowed to work at their own pace when completing the online portion of the program but the final exam must be completed in one session.

Students must first complete the online portion of the program and pass the exam with a minimum score of 84%. This provides the student with a completion certificate, which is required for entry into the classroom portion of the program. Classroom study includes debriefing, group discussions led by a qualified instructor, and coaching for practical application.

The classroom section of the program can take unskilled students up to three hours to complete. This includes time for remediation and coverage of all optional modules. Students who do not need the optional modules can complete the course in about two hours and 15 minutes. The recommended student to teacher ratio is six students to one instructor. Each student has one manikin to work with during the hands-on skills training and practice.

To receive a card of completion, students must demonstrate skills learned in the course. These tests are completed with the use of a manikin and involve demonstrating rescue techniques for adults and children. Certification is valid for 24 months.

Professionals who respond to emergencies first, can benefit from learning the proper lifesaving techniques. Anyone who earns this certification will know how to help individuals who are choking or experiencing a cardiac or respiratory failure. With the proper training and experience, first responders can increase the chance of survival for most of their victims.




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